eBooks @ Unisa Library: How to access eBooks

If you repeatedly have problems accessing an eBook, please contact your Personal Librarian, or, send an email to: lib-help@unisa.ac.za

Understanding eBook licenses can help you to get the most out of eBooks. Where possible, the library purchases the most flexible user licenses available. eBook licenses are set by the publishers and cannot be changed by the library.

Types of licenses:

eBooks with limited user licenses have restrictions on how many users can access them at one time.

• 1-user license: Only one user can access the book at a time
• 3-user license: Only 3 users can access the book at a time

eBooks with unlimited user licenses can be accessed by an unlimited number of users at the same time. There may still be restrictions on how much of the book's content can be downloaded and/or printed.

Note: eBooks are protected by copyright law in the same way as printed publications. As a guide, SA copyright law allows you to print/copy no more than one chapter, or 10% of a work, whichever is greater.

Digital Rights Management

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is copyright protection for an electronic product that limits the length of the loan of the downloaded e-book, and the amount of copying and printing. You will usually be told what the limits are when you try to print or copy from e-books that are DRM-protected. eBooks that are provided via their own publisher's platform are generally DRM-free, as the publisher owns the rights to the content. DRM-free eBooks have no limitations on downloading, printing, or saving their content. 

Downloading

Some eBooks can be downloaded, and others cannot be downloaded depending on the publisher’s digital rights.

Downloaded books can be read offline for a certain time. It is like checking out a printed book from the library. Once the downloaded eBook reaches its expiry date, it will automatically be returned to the library.

eBooks come in many formats. These are some of the most popular formats:

• PDF (.pdf)  - A very popular eBook format from Adobe that most eReaders support. 
• EPUB (.epub) - An open eBook standard created by the International Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF). It features reflowable text, inline images and the ability to use Digital Rights Management (DRM) such as Adobe Digital Editions.
• Kindle (.azw) - Native format for Amazon's Kindle products which typically comes with DRM protection to limit sharing.
• MobiPocket (.mobi) - A format primarily designed for PDAs and older mobile devices. Also used on the Kindle.
• Text (.txt) - A basic plain text format that is easy to create, but cannot contain images.

Note: You must first create a free, personal EBSCOhost account (My EBSCOhost) and be signed in to download, copy, or print. You may also use your Google account to sign in.

Some e-book platforms have in-built accessibility options. They may allow you to change the text size, background, and font colour for example, or may otherwise be adapted for use with screen reading or read-aloud software. These can benefit all staff or students regardless of whether you have a visual impairment or any special accessibility requirements