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Getting Started with E-books

This guide provides an introduction to the different ebook collections available to LSC-University Park users, including how to find, access, and download books.

Ebook Central Quick Facts

Ebook Central is a database which includes a large digital collection of scholarly e-books.

Contains Full e-books on a range of topics, including arts and humanities, sciences, social sciences, business, technology, history, language and literature.
Best for Academic reading and research.
Multi-user? Unlimited users may access and download books.
Printing Limits Varies by book (determined by publisher); typically you can print up to 40%.
Download Limits Download chapters or whole books. Check out books for 21 days with an account. Books can be read online without check-out.

What You Need

In order to access Ebook Central, you will need a web browser (such as Chrome or Firefox) and a document reader (such as Adobe Reader). Most devices will have an application for both of these functions already installed.

If you are not using a campus computer, you will need to log in with your Lone Star College library barcode to access the database. This barcode may be found on the back of your Lone Star College ID card.

From the Lone Star College Libraries website, choose Research Databases and then Books & Reading. Click on eBooks, scroll down and click on the Ebook Central link to enter the database. Conduct your search in the dialog box at the top of the screen, select a title, and start reading!

You may be prompted to enter your student ID and password, which is located on the back of your student ID, if you are attempting to access the Ebook Central database from an off-campus location.

By far the easiest way to read eBooks on the E-Libro Premium database is to navigate to the site using the browser software on your mobile device. You may browse and search eBooks in Safari Tech Books Online by navigating to the Books & Reading section of the Lone Star College - University Park Library website. Select "E-Libro Premium" from the list. If you are attempting to access the database from an off-campus location, you will need to sign in using your student ID and password. 

For offline reading, it is recommended that you use the Bluefire Reader, available for download from iTunes and Google Play. Ebrary has published detailed step-by-step instructions on how to navigate this process. 

E-Libro Premium allows you to download eBook chapters as PDF files. You can transfer the PDF to your Kindle using Amazon's Send To Kindle software. You can also transfer an entire downloaded eBook to your Kindle, but this process requires a few extra steps. 

The first step in this process is to sign up for a user account in the E-Libro Premium database. You will also need an Adobe ID.