Skip to Main Content

E-books: Collections & Access: Downloading, platforms, and specifications

Downloading & printing

Users with iOS devices (iPad, iPhone, etc) and Android devices (Galaxy Tab, Google Nexus, ASUS Transformer) who want to read E-books offline should follow these steps:

  1. Download the Bluefire Reader app
  2. Start the app
  3. In the app, sign up for (or sign in with) your Adobe Digital Editions account

Windows 8 RT and Kindle devices cannot install Adobe Digital Editions and the Bluefire Reader and thus cannot download E-books that require that software (EBL, Ebrary, EBSCO, etc.).

Note: "Downloading" in the chart below refers to downloading an E-book to read off line. All E-books below can be read while online through the mobile web interface.

Platforms & specifications

This matrix is intended for librarians helping UW patrons with e-book access questions and concerns. Where possible, the Platform column links to the user guide.

Platform Available for Multiple users Downloads Offline reading Usage limits Returns Printing e-reader software Course reserves
ClinicalKey All users
(walk-ins OK)*
Yes Allowed No additional software required None Not required Requires individual user account registration None Yes
EBSCOhost All users
(walk-ins OK)

Depends on Title:
• 1 user
• 3 user
• concurrent (up to 365 uses per year)
• unlimited

Usually allowed Whole book download/offline reading requires Adobe Digital Editions*; single chapter downloads do not

Checkout / download limits apply; but if session is closed & reopened, the single chapter download limit count resets.

Default checkout/loan period: 1 day

Not required 100 pages maximum; varies by publisher Bluefire Reader or Adobe Digital Editions for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire (More Kindle Fire info here) No, but Canvas link OK
JSTOR All users
(walk-ins OK)
Yes Allowed No additional software required None Not required No restrictions Web browser & PDF viewer only Yes
Knovel All users
(walk-ins OK)
Yes Allowed Knovel ToGo None Not required Restricted to 20% Web browser & PDF viewer only No, but Canvas link OK
Overdrive All users
(walk-ins OK)
Depends on title Allowed Libby app Checkout / download limits apply Not required No printing Web browser & Libby app No
Project Muse All users
(walk-ins OK)
Yes Allowed No additional software required None Not required No restrictions Web browser & PDF viewer only Yes

ProQuest Ebook Central

(combined former EBL/ebrary platform)

All users (walk-ins OK for online reading only)

Depends on title:

• 1 user
• 3 user
• nonlinear (up to 325 uses per year)
• unlimited

Usually

allowed

Usually Allowed

Whole book download/offline reading requires Adobe Digital Editions*; single chapter downloads do not

Checkout / download limits apply; but after 24 hours, the single chapter download limit count resets.

Default checkout/loan period: 1 day

Not required

Usually Allowed;

Restricted to 20-40% of each book during a 24 hour period, then count resets

Bluefire Reader or Adobe Digital Editions for iOS, Android, Kindle Fire (More Kindle Fire info here) No, but Canvas link OK
Safari/O'Reilly Current UW Only Yes Allowed only via the O’Reilly app Allowed only via the O’Reilly app None Not required Single pages only O'Reilly app for IOS, Android No, but Canvas link OK
Springer All users
(walk-ins OK)
Yes Allowed No additional software required None Not required No restrictions SpringerLink app for iOS, Android  Yes
Taylor & Francis All users
(walk-ins OK)
Yes Allowed No additional software required None Not required No restrictions Web browser & PDF viewer No, but Canvas link OK
Wiley All users
(walk-ins OK)
Yes Allowed No additional software required None Not required No restrictions Web browser & PDF viewer Yes

 

 * Walk-in users are those without a current UW i.d. who can access eBook resources from the public terminals only. No remote access.