Downloading Ebooks
Downloading Ebooks on ProQuest Ebook Central, VLeBooks and EBSCO
Full ebook downloads on VLeBooks, ProQuest Ebook Central and EBSCO allow you to essentially “borrow” the ebook for between 1-3 days so you may read the ebook offline. After 1-3 days the file will expire and you may download it again. You must have Adobe Digital Editions installed on your device (or similar software that can open “acsm” files) to open downloaded ebook files.
Please see the platform-specific sections for further guidance.
Adobe Digital Editions
Adobe Digital Editions is free software used for reading downloaded ebook files in “acsm” format.
You may download the software from the Adobe website or when prompted via the link provided on the ebook platform when you download an ebook.
To download Adobe Digital Editions from the website, please select the installer for Macintosh or Windows:
https://www.adobe.com/uk/solutions/ebook/digital-editions/download.html
Once you download and open Adobe Digital Editions, you will be prompted to “authorize” your computer and be presented with the option to create an Adobe ID. Creating an Adobe ID will allow you to transfer your downloaded ebook library across six devices. If you are only reading ebooks on one device and do not wish to create an Adobe ID, tick the box next to “I want to Authorize my computer without an ID”.
Please see Adobe’s Troubleshooting & Help pages for more tips on installation, activation and creating an Adobe ID.
Adobe Digital Editions on Mobile Devices
If you are using a mobile device, you may download Adobe Digital Editions from the Apple App Store or Google Play Store. You will need to create an Adobe ID to authorize your device.
Open Adobe Digital Editions, select “Settings” and click “Authorize” to create an Adobe ID.
If you have previously created an Adobe ID and have forgotten the details, click the “Forgot password?” link or reset your password here. Select “Personal Account” and not “Company or School Account”. Your account for Adobe Digital Editions is separate from your university Adobe account.
If you are using an Android device that is running Android version 13 or higher, when attempting to use Adobe Digital Editions you may see the error message: "This app is not available for your device because it was made for an older version of Android".
In this case, you will need to use an alternative app that can read “acsm” files. The PocketBook Reader app is recommended by ProQuest and instructions are available here.
Downloading from different eBook platforms
If an ebook is available for download, you will see a “Download Book” link below the cover image. Some ebooks are unavailable for download, in which case the link will be greyed out.
Downloading ebooks on PCs and Laptops
A screen will pop up asking you to confirm what type of device you are using. Select your device and click “Continue”.
A screen will pop up to confirm that you have Adobe Digital Editions installed. If you have not already downloaded Adobe Digital Editions, you may download it via the “Get Adobe Digital Editions” link, or click “Done with this step”.
You may be given the option to download the ebook in EPUB or PDF. PDF files retain the look of a print book, while EPUB files allow you to resize the text of the book to fit your screen.
Make your selection and click “Download”.
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The ebook file is saved to your browser’s downloads folder (this is usually located under the “down” arrow on the top right of your browser). The file name will be a number with seven digits and be in “acsm” format.
Click on the file to open the ebook in Adobe Digital Editions. Your browser should automatically open the ebook but if not, select the file and opt for the computer to open it using Adobe Digital Editions.
You may view your current downloads on ProQuest Ebook Central, under the “Bookshelf” section or from within Adobe Digital Editions itself.
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The downloaded file will automatically expire after 1-3 days, after which you may download the ebook again.
Downloading ebooks on Mobile Devices
On ProQuest Ebook Central, click the “Download Book” link.
Select your device and click “Continue”.
You will be prompted to download Adobe Digital Editions, or you may select “Done with this step” if you have already downloaded the program.
Select your preferred format and click “Download”.
Once the file has downloaded, click the “Open” button to open the ebook in Adobe Digital Editions.
You may also open the downloaded ebook from your device’s “Downloads” folder. It will be the file named with the seven-digital number in “acsm” format.
If an ebook is available for download, you will see a “Download Book” link below the cover image. Some ebooks are unavailable for download, in which case the link will be greyed out.
You may be given the option to download the ebook in either PDF format or EPUB. PDF files retain the look of a print book, while EPUB files allow you to resize the text of the book to fit your screen.
You will be given the option to download the ebook for 1-3 days (after which, you may download the ebook again).
Make your selection and click “Download”.
A download link will be generated.
If you already have Adobe Digital Editions installed, click “Download”. If you have not yet installed Adobe Digital Editions, click the appropriate link for your device to either download the program from the Adobe website or the app from Google Play or App Store.
The ebook file will be saved to your browser’s downloads folder (this is usually located under the “down” arrow on the top right of your browser). The file name will be a number with seven digits and be in “acsm” format.
On mobile devices, a prompt to “Open” the file should pop up once the file has downloaded.
Click on the file to open the ebook in Adobe Digital Editions. Your browser should automatically open the ebook but if not, select the file and opt for your device to open it using Adobe Digital Editions.
You may view your current downloads on VLeBooks under “My Account” (top-right corner) or from within Adobe Digital Editions itself.
The downloaded file will automatically expire after 1-3 days, after which you may download the ebook again.