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eBooks: Reading and Downloading

This guide will teach you how navigate, read, and download books from the Library's subscription e-book providers.

Sign in to E-Book Collections

Library eBook collections will ask you to sign in to read an e-book online, and to download chapters or complete books.

Use your CUNYfirst Credentials to sign in (same credentials you use to log in to Brightspace)

Additional Sign-In (optional):

Ebook Central and Ebsco ebooks also offer private sign-in for Personal Folders, Bookmarks, and Highlighting.

Set up your own Personal account to SAVE books with your notes and highlighting. Remember to note your password in a safe place.

 

Downloading Library eBooks

To Download Complete eBooks to your computer or mobile device, you will need Adobe Digital Editions (scroll down for instructions on how to set up Adobe Digital Editions).

  • Create an Account in Adobe Digital Editions. 

Open Adobe Digital Editions for PC or Mac. Your downloaded book should be recognized and added to your Library. If not, drag and drop the downloaded file into Adobe Digital Editions. You may be asked to Authorize your computer.

For Mobile Devices, Bluefire Reader is needed to read books on the device after downloading on your computer:

Download Bluefire Reader on your mobile device: http://www.bluefirereader.com/bluefire-reader.html

Sign in with your Adobe Digital Editions Account to authorize one time.

 

Set Up Adobe Digital Editions

These instructions will help you create an Adobe ID and install Adobe Digital Editions. 

You must create an Adobe ID and install Adobe Digital Editions in order to read a book on a desktop or laptop computer, or to transfer a book to a e-reader that lacks WiFi capability. (Find instructions on downloading directly to a phone, iPad, or other mobile device.)

First create an Adobe ID:

  • Go to: https://adobe.ly/2hrU0j0
  • Click "Create an account."
  • Make sure to save your Account login in a safe place where you will remember it.

 Install Adobe Digital Editions for Windows or MAC (already done on PCs in the Library):

  • From your computer, go to http://www.adobe.com/products/digitaleditions.
  • Scroll down to the large brown "Install" button and click it.
  • Install and Open Adobe Digital Editions.
  • To "Authorize" your computer, click on "Help" at the top.

You are now ready to download an e-book to your desktop or laptop computer