To download an e-book to your computer, you may need Adobe Digital Editions. This is not required to view the PDF in your browser.
open e-book standard created by the Int'l. Digital Publishing Forum (IDPF) with reflowable text, inline images, and the ability to use Digital Rights Management (DRM) such as Adobe Digital Editions
Amazon's proprietary DRM restricted format
document sharing format created in the early 90s with highly formatted content and ability to use DRM with Adobe Digital Editions
format primarily designed for PDAs and older mobile devices; also used on Kindle
Sony's proprietary formats (LRF, LRS, LRX) superseded by Sony's acceptance of epub as the default format
There is a variety of software available for downloading, managing, and reading e-books. This list contains links to some software you might find useful.
Most e-book platforms allow you to download and/or print at least some of an e-book. The four listed below are popular at the University of Alabama. Other platforms may have different downloading or printing allowances.
| Collection | Downloading | Printing | More Help |
| EBSCOhost | In general, entire book | A limited number of pages can be printed or saved | EBSCO eBooks User Guide |
| Springer eBooks | By chapter or entire book | No page limit | Full book downloading as pdf files |
| Proquest Ebook Central | By chapter or entire book | No page limit | Download Guide |
| Wiley Online Library | By chapter only | Chapter by chapter, no page limit | Downloading Wiley Ebooks |