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Finding and Using E-books

This guide explains how to find and use e-books.

Proquest Ebook Central

To access an item that is available through ProQuest Ebook Central, you will need to search for the item in our online catalog. You will see View Online: Ebook Central Academic Complete under the View It option in the online catalog

Ebook central result in library catalog

If you click the link next to View Online, the book will open in a new browser window. You have options to read online, download the book, and download and print PDF chapters. The Note section should tell you how many copies are available.

If you want to browse the e-book collection available from ProQuest, you can search the ProQuest Ebook Central website.

Accessing E-books from ProQuest

Option in ebook central on how to access the ebook

You will be able to read the book online whenever you have internet access. If you click Read Online, the book will open in your web browser and you can search, highlight, and take notes on the online book. It will require you to sign in with your Purdue Account to use some of those features.

Downloading E-books

Download book option

If you have consistent access to the internet, you don’t need to download the book. You will be able to read it online. However, if you believe you won’t have access to consistent internet, you can download the book using third-party software. You will need to open the book (select Read Online) and then click the download button which is a little arrow pointing down towards a small box icon.

download book icon

Once you click that button, a popup will appear. You can follow the steps to download the third-party software, Adobe Digital Editions, and then you will be able to download the book. For more information about the third-party software, check out the Adobe Digital Editions section of this guide.

Download PDF Chapter

Download PDF chapter icon and number of pages available notifcation

This option allows you to download a chapter of the book and it will save it as a PDF. Once you download the PDF, you will be able to print it. The book does have a limit on the number of pages you can download.

Once you determine what chapter or pages you want to download, you will click the Download Chapter button and a pop-up will appear. You can click the Download button and your download will begin and the PDF will open in your default PDF viewer.

ready for download pop up screen

 

The number of pages available to download is updated in the availability box in the section titled: pages remaining for PDF print/chapter download.

Pages remaining to download

If you exceed the number of pages you can download, there will be a warning and you will be limited to the remaining number of pages.

PDF download restriction screen

Troubleshooting and Help

Proquest has a helpful Library Guide about Ebook Central with more in-depth information on how to use the platform. 

  • If you are having trouble with your Purdue login, please contact ITaP.
  • If you are having trouble accessing a book, please go through the library catalog and clicking the available online link.
  • If you have any other issues, please submit a technical support ticket.