Downloading ebooks - software required

We understand some students have been struggling to read downloaded ebooks because they do not have the right software on their device.

You do in fact need specific software if you want to download a library ebook rather than read the book online. This is because publishers apply Digital Rights Management to their ebook files to protect against licence infringement (eg copying more than the licence allows) and to expire the book after the download period comes to an end. 

There are notes on our library catalogue records to that effect: 

for VLEbooks: 

System requirements: Adobe Digital Editions is required for viewing the full text of downloaded ebooks on PCs and laptops. This can be downloaded from VLeBooks after clicking on help, if not installed already. An Adobe ID is required to read VLeBooks on either an Android or Apple iOS phone or tablet. The VLeBooks eBook reader app can then be installed from the Apple App store and the Play Store app.

for Proquest ebooks: 

System requirements: Adobe Digital Editions or Bluefire is required for viewing the full text of downloaded ebooks on PCs / laptops, Apple IOS or Android devices. They can be downloaded from Ebook Central. An Adobe ID is required.

Those are are our two main ebook providers, we do have others which will have their own requirements but in general Adobe Digital Editions is likely to be required. This software is free to download here https://www.adobe.com/uk/solutions/ebook/digital-editions/download.html. 

If you have installed Adobe Digital Editions but still have problems opening an ebook file, please contact us.