eBooks

1. Go to the Library homepage 
2. Use the ‘Search library resources’ box to check if the ebook you're looking for is available 
3. You can search for the ebook using the title, author, or keywords 
4. Use the 'Refine Your Search' menu to narrow your results by 'Source Type: eBooks' 
5. Click on the title of the book, or 'Check availability' in your search results, and then 'View Online' on the item details page
6. You may have to log in with your usual Bath Spa login details
7. You can then choose to download the ebook, or to read it online
8. A bespoke app may be required to download whole ebooks onto your device (see below)

For the majority of ebooks, you'll have the option to read online or download.  Reading online offers more customisable settings, including accessibility features.  

Ebooks from VLeBooks and Ebook Central require the suppliers' own app to download the whole book onto your device.   

When downloading, follow the on screen instructions for the supplier. The following guides also provide step-by-step instructions about downloading the ebooks. 

• VLeBooks 
• Ebook Central
• EBSCO

In order to download EBSCO ebooks you must have Adobe Digital Editions installed on your computer. 

If you haven't already, install the latest version of Adobe Digital Editions.

Once you’ve downloaded the ebook an ACSM file will be sent to your downloads folder (or whichever folder location your browser is configured to send downloads). 

If it is an ACSM, you will need to open the file in Adobe Digital Editions.  

After the download period has expired, the file will no longer open, and you'll need to access and download the ebook again, or read it online. 

Yes, you can print and copy from most ebooks within the limits of copyright law and/or publishers’ license agreements.

How much can I print?

This will usually mean that you are able to print or copy 10% or one chapter of a book (whichever is greater), as with a printed book. You will usually be told what these limits are when you try to print or copy from a book. The supplier will retain information on how much you've already printed and/or copied. 

How do I print?

Printing and/or copying is only available from the read online view and is not available from an ebook you've downloaded.

Many of our ebooks only allow a specific number of people to view them at any one time.  If that number has been reached, then you will be placed in a queue. 

Loan periods vary by supplier, e.g. VLeBooks, Ebook Central, EBSCO.  Once the ebook download has expired you will have to download it again.

We can only buy ebooks that are licensed for use in universities. Amazon Kindle ebooks aren't.

Some ebooks are only sold to individuals and aren’t available for libraries to buy at all.  Others are offered to libraries under restrictive or high‑cost licences that make them unsuitable for our needs.