What are ebooks?
Ebooks are simply books in digital format. They can be textbooks, encyclopedias, literature, or popular reading materials. Most ebooks are digital copies of print books, but sometimes ebooks are "born digital" - they have only been published digitally, never in print form.
Why aren't all ebooks the same?
Falvey Library purchases ebooks from different publishers and vendors, each of whom has their own policies about how ebooks can be used. Each publisher/vendor decides:
- Who can access each ebook
- How many people can view an e-book at one time
- Time limit for viewing ebooks
- Available download formats
- How many pages can be printed or downloaded
Why use ebooks?
- Ebooks can be accessed by a greater number of people simultaneously, and you often don’t need to wait to check them out
- Ebooks can be accessed anytime, anywhere!
- You don’t need to visit the library to pick them up
- Ebooks are automatically borrowed and returned from your library account, so you don’t need to worry about late fees
Do I need an ebook reader to view ebooks?
No! You can access ebooks from any device with an internet connection – your laptop, tablet, or even your phone. See the section on Finding and Using Ebooks for more information.