Q. Can I save ebooks to my computer?

Yes, in most cases you can download the library's ebooks to your computer.  The details will vary a bit, depending on which ebook platform the book is on (Ebook Central, EBSCO), as well as the book's publisher. It is generally easier to read ebooks online in your browser (with the exception of OverDrive ebooks), since it will not require you to have any additional software, as outlined below.  

If you have any questions along the way, please don't hesitate to contact a librarian (ask@gettysburg.edu).

You may also be interested in our guide about downloading ebooks to a Kindle, Nook, or other ereader device, which includes information about borrowing ebooks from the public library to read for fun.

Downloading an Ebook Central ebook:

1. Download Adobe Digital Editions to your computer.
2. Find the book in Ebook Central that you would like to download, and open the book in the online reader.
3. Click the Full Download button from the top menu (you will have to sign in, with your Gettysburg College ID, if you haven't already).
4. Follow the prompt to download the book and open in Adobe Digital Editions. You may be required to create an Adobe ID, if you don't already have one.

The Ebook Central support center offers more details about downloading Ebook Central books.

Note: When downloaded in full, ebooks are typically accessible for 21 days, after which you must log into Ebook Central and re-download the title. Depending on publisher licenses, you may be able to download chapters into a PDF, but the page limit for downloading chapters varies by publisher and by book. These limits will be stated on the books main page in Ebook Central. 

Downloading an EBSCO ebook:

This process is very similar to the process for downloading an ebook from ebrary.  

1. Download Adobe Digital Editions to your computer.
2. Create your personal EBSCO account and sign in. You can access both of these items by clicking on "Sign In" within the EBSCO interface.
3. Find the book in EBSCO that you would like to download and click on the "Download this eBook (Offline)" link.
4. Select your checkout period (often limited to 7 days), and click "Checkout & Download."
5. Open the downloaded file with Adobe Digital Editions.

EBSCO has a helpful guide for downloading ebooks, which provides instructions and information about using their ebooks.