An eBook is an electronic or digital book that is available for reading on your computer (desktop or laptop), tablet, or mobile device.
The IU Libraries provide access to e-books from several different vendors. Each vendor makes the e-book available through their own unique platform.
Each vendor also makes a title available based on licensing agreements made with the book’s publisher.
“Value added” features may differ from vendor to vendor. And in some cases you may be required to create a free account with that vendor to access these features.
Some e-books are only available to one reader at a time (as when the library purchases just one copy of the print edition of a book). Others may be available to more than one reader at a time (like when the library is able to purchase multiple copies of a print book). Other e-books allow unlimited simultaneous readers.
Access to library e-resources is limited to the campus that paid for the resource. So in IUCAT, if IU Kokomo bought access to an e-book, but IU-Bloomington did not, IUB students, faculty and staff will not be able to read that e-book. E-resources are also not available through interlibrary loan.
E-books access is still in its infancy. When you encounter problems be sure to contact the IUB Libraries. You can fill out this form if you’re not in a particular hurry. Or you can come in person, chat, or call for assistance during reference service hours.
