Q. Can I check out ebooks for reading on a tablet, phone, laptop, Kindle, or Nook?

Quick answer for most users for full-text ebooks:

1. Make sure you have an ebook reader app that can open digital rights managed (DRM) ebook files 
2. Set up an Adobe ID account
3. Locate the ebook in OneSearch
   • Directions for finding ebooks
   • Directions for accessing ebooks
4. Set up an account with the ebook provider, if required
5. Select checkout time period and file type, then download

Quick answer for book chapter and portions

1. Locate the ebook in OneSearch
   • Directions for finding ebooks
   • Directions for accessing ebooks
2. Locate the "print" button or link (this will allow you to download a file for the pages, which does not have to be printed)
   
3. Choose the page range you would like to download (the pages you can download is limited)

Detailed answer

Many of the ebooks we offer through OneSearch can be read on ereaders, but it can all depend on the type of ebook it is because of different software formats. Most ebooks from our subscription platforms will require software that can display DRM ebook content. A free Adobe ID account is also needed.

For most of our ebook platforms, all ebooks are available all the time. However, publishers and distributors control the checkout time periods for ebooks that are downloaded. Please note that ebooks from our subscription services are temporary files and you will not be able to access the contents of the file after the checkout period has elapsed.

In many cases, if you are only interested in reading a chapter or section of a book you are better served by using the print option for the ebook. You are limited to how many pages you can print out, and the number varies by publisher and distributor. However, chapters and sections that are "printed" will download as a PDF file, which will not expire like the DRM download copies.

Other than the Western Libraries collections, you may also download ebooks from the Bellingham Public Library with a library card with them, which all residents of Whatcom County are eligible for.