OSU Libraries purchases ebook access from many sources. How you're able to use the ebook depend on many factors, which are listed in the ebook's license. For example:

• EBSCOhost and Ebook Central: Many of these ebooks can only be read online. These titles are checked out to you as long as you're actively using them. "Active use" requires turning a page every 30 minutes. If all available copies of the ebook are in use, please try again later.

• Ebook Central: Some titles can be checked out and read offline, which requires the Adobe Digital Editions software described at the bottom of this page.

• EBSCOhost (Download): Some titles can be downloaded as PDFs. The ebook's license determines how many pages from each book can be downloaded.

• Controlled Digital Lending: Ebooks with 1Search catalog entries with the "Digital Version(s) Availability" header can only be read online. These titles are checked out to you for one hour. If nobody is on the waitlist, your access will be renewed. The catalog records will look like the image below:
  

• OverDrive and Libby: More information is available on these ebooks on the OverDrive and Libby guide.

Ebooks that are hosted within the same database may have different licensing terms. If you're not sure whether any given ebook can be read offline, printed out, or downloaded, check the ebook's record or ask a librarian.

Most ebooks can be read online without any additional software. However, if you want to read a PDF ebook offline, you'll need to open it with Adobe Digital Editions. This software must be loaded on a personal device, since it's licensed to you individually. After you set up your account, note your username and password. You will need it to access the ebook later. You can also use this account to sync your ebooks between different devices.

Once you have downloaded Adobe Digital Editions, you can use it to manage any ebooks you've downloaded. Your ADE library shows you which books you have checked out and how long you'll have access. In most cases, if you want the book for longer, you just need to download it again.

If you want to read ebooks from the OSU Libraries on your iPhone/iPad, you may need to use a free reader app like Bluefire Reader. The Bluefire Reader app will need to be linked to your Adobe Digital Editions account during the Bluefire app setup so the app can manage the ebook checkout period.

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