Understanding eBooks
An eBook, also known as an electronic book or digital book, is a book that:
- exists in electronic form
- is available online in a full text format
- can be read on desktop computers, laptops, and smart phone/tablet devices
Finding eBooks
The University of Divinity has access to over 400,000 books. Check our catalogue to see if we have the title you are looking for available online.
To limit your search to finding eBooks, select University of Divinity Libraries, then choose eBook from the format list on the left side of the catalogue.
If it is available as an eBook, a large VIEW EBOOK button will appear below the title.
To ensure everyone can get access to eBooks when they need to, we recommend you follow these steps when possible:
- Click the Read Online button or EPub Full Text button.
- Find the page/s or chapter you need.
- Click the printer icon to download those specific pages to a PDF.
- When you are finished with the eBook, be sure to close the tab.
Restrictions when using eBooks
The Library Hub gives you access to eBooks on a variety of platforms. Some platforms allow you to download or print only specific chapters or sections, while some will let you download the whole book. Most let you search within the eBook itself. Publishers can apply different levels of access and usage restrictions on eBooks which can affect the way you can use them.
Some restrictions include:
- print, copy and paste, or download allowances
- a limited number of simultaneous users
Note: Some eBooks have no print, copy, or download allowances. They are only available to read online. Always check the availability details.
Things to Avoid When Using eBooks
- We do not encourage clicking the Download Full Text button as most of our eBooks have a page download limit, which means you cannot download the entire text. You can download a chapter that is equal to or less than the page limit. Scroll down until you find the chapter you want to download and click Download PDF. Alternatively, you can read the text in its entirety online.
- You cannot download an eBook on library computers because the required software for downloading a complete eBook is not available on those computers. Instead, use the Read Online option on public computers to view the eBook.
- When eBooks are borrowed online, they are "checked out." Much like a print copy, if an item is checked out, you cannot read it until it is returned to the library. If this is the case, a message should appear saying "all copies are currently in use. Please check back later, or search for another book." Try checking the book in an hour to see if it is available.
- Try avoiding opening chapters in multiple tabs at once as this can also cause eBooks to timeout and appear broken.
eBooks FAQs
Is every book on the Library Hub an eBook?
Although the Library Hub has access to thousands of eBooks, not every book is available as an eBook. All available eBooks will have a view eBook button below the title.
How can I limit my search results to just eBooks?
Yes, you can. If you wish to limit your search to just eBooks, use the filters on the left side of the catalogue screen. Tick on University of Divinity Libraries and eBook.
The catalogue says the book I am looking at is an eBook; where is the View eBook button?
If there is no view eBook button present, this usually means your search is showing results from "libraries worldwide" and the item is not held in our collection.
Why isn't the eBook I clicked on working?
The most common reason an eBook might not be working is because the library has a limited amount of copies available. Much like a print copy, if an item is checked out, you cannot read it. If this is the case, a message should appear saying "all copies are currently in use. Please check back later, or search for another book." Try checking the book in an hour to see if it is available.
The eBook I am reading says "You have been timed out due to inactivity. To continue, please refresh this page." What do I do?
When eBooks are read online, they are "checked out" for a period of time that typically expires after 30 minutes of inactivity. This means the reading session has timed out. All you need to do is refresh your browser by clicking on the refresh icon. While reading eBooks online, you can prevent the reading session from expiring by any action that updates the eBook (e.g. turning the page).
I'm not a student. Can I access eBooks off-site?
Unfortunately, off-site eBook access is only available to students and staff members of the University of Divinity. However, some eBooks are open access and can be read by anyone. In Refine This Search on the side bar, select Open Access and Full Text options.
When I click the view eBook button, this Crossref screen appears. What do I do?
Some Bloomsbury Theology and Religion Online titles must be opened directly in that database. If you use Lean Library, follow its prompt. Otherwise go via Databases and open Theology and Religion Online directly.
Can I download chapters?
Yes. Click on the Full download button. The full download option is not available for every title, and you may need to click on the EPUB Full Text or Read Online button. Alternatively, you can download a chapter to your device.
I am wondering what the time limit is for borrowing eBooks?
Different books have different limits, depending on the publisher. Fortunately, there is no borrowing limit if you choose to use the "read online" option.
How do I cite an eBook if there are no page numbers?
If a page reference is not available in an eBook or other electronic format, list chapter number or section heading instead, and add the electronic format. Formats include iBooks, Kindle, NOOK, Google Play Books, Adobe Digital Editions EPUB, etc. For example: chap. 7. Kindle.
Printing Pages & Saving to PDF
If you would like to print out your pages while reading online, follow the steps below.
- Once you have found the eBook in the catalogue you need to read, click View eBook and sign in to Library Hub if prompted.
- When the eBook page loads, check the page download limit. This determines how many pages you can download in a day.
- If you want to print full chapters, scroll down to the table of contents and click the Download PDF option.
- Alternatively, if you wish to download individual pages, click Read Online.
- Click the print icon.
- Select the pages you wish to download (within the download limit) and click Continue.
- After the file downloads as a PDF, you can print it from your computer.