Using digital editions
This step-by-step guide will help you to install and use Adobe Digital Editions. This free software is required to download ebooks from some platforms, including VLeBooks and ProQuest Ebook Central.
This is because these platforms do not allow ebooks to be downloaded as PDFs and opened in other PDF readers. The VLeBooks/ProQuest Ebook Central platforms will usually display a note when downloading the ebook to advise you to use Digital Editions. Additionally, you can check by looking at the file type downloaded to your device. If the file is an ACSM file, you will need Digital Editions to open and read it. If it is a PDF file, it can be read in any PDF reader.
Install or launch Digital Editions
If you are using your own computer or device, you can download Digital Editions from Adobe's website.
If you are using a university computer or a managed laptop, you can launch Digital Editions from AppsAnywhere.
Authorize your computer
1. Once you have opened Digital Editions, the software will prompt you to authorize your computer. (If it doesn't prompt you, you can navigate via Help > Authorize Computer to start this process.) Optionally, you can create an Adobe ID which will allow you to access your downloaded items from multiple devices. However, the quickest way to proceed is to choose the option that doesn't require an Adobe ID.
2. Check the box beside 'I want to authorize my computer without an ID'. This will grey-out the fields above and you can click the 'Next' button to proceed.
3. At the next screen, click the 'Authorize' button to confirm.
4. The software confirms that your computer has been authorized. Click OK. Digital Editions is now ready for use.
Download an ebook from ProQuest Ebook Central
1. To download an ebook from the ProQuest Ebook Central platform, look for the button marked 'Download Book'.
2. Select what kind of device you are using.
3. The website lets you know that you will need Adobe Digital Editions to download the ebook. If you haven't already downloaded or launched this software, you can find instructions on how to do so above. If you already have Digital Editions ready, click 'Done with this step'.
4. Review the information about the book you are downloading. You are also asked what loan length you need. This is the amount of time you will be able to read the downloaded book, similar to if you borrowed a physical book from a library. After this time expires, you'll need to download the book again to continue using it.
Please be aware that some books have a limit on how many people can download them at the same time. You can help keep books available for other users by not choosing a loan length longer than you need.
When you have selected your loan length, click the 'Download' button.
5. You may notice the downloaded file will have an extension of .acsm, instead of .pdf. This means it cannot be read by PDF readers and will need to be opened in Digital Editions.
6. When you open the file using Digital Editions, it will display a loading bar with the message 'Downloading Content...'
7. The book will then open for you to begin reading.
Download an ebook from VLeBooks
1. To download an ebook from the VLeBooks platform, look for the 'Download' button.
2. You will be asked 'How many days do you want to loan this title for?' This is the amount of time you will be able to read the downloaded book, similar to if you borrowed a physical book from a library. After this time expires, you'll need to download the book again to continue using it.
Please be aware that some books have a limit on how many people can download them at the same time. You can help keep books available for other users by not choosing a loan length longer than you need.
When you have selected a loan length, click the 'Download' button.
3. VLeBooks will generate a download link.
4. When the link is ready, use the 'Click here to download' button.
5. Open the file in Digital Editions. A loading bar displays with the message 'Downloading Content...'
6. The book will then open and is ready to use.
