Libraries, Archives, & Museums: Getting Started with eBooks: Home

Notice:

NOTE: There are reports that Adobe Digital Editions 4.0 collects information about the ebooks on your computer, whether or not they are checked out with that application, and sends the information, unencrypted, to its servers. For more information, including options that may be more secure, see:

http://lam.alaska.gov/ade

What you'll need

If you want to read an eBook on a tablet or eReader, there are a few key things you'll need before you get started.

An eReader or tablet
You can use a computer or laptop to read eBooks. If you prefer an eReader or tablet, our, visit this guide for links to instruction manuals, articles and other information to help you select and use an eReader or tablet.
Software
If you are downloading directly to a tablet, you'll probably just need an app. If you are downloading to a computer for transfer to a mobile device, you'll need software for your computer. OverDrive recommends Adobe Digital Editions for your computer, and OverDrive Media Console for your portable device and for your computer if you plan to use audiobooks.
A source for eBooks
In addition to eBook vendors (such as Amazon, Barnes & Noble, and Google), downloadable eBooks are available from the free sources and library resources listed to the right.
An understanding of the file types you can use on your device
Check your user manual or use our eReaders and tablets page for this information. OverDrive's Device Resource Center may also help.

You may want to read...

Travels in Alaska by John Muir; Edward Coolbaugh Hoagland (Introduction by)
ISBN: 0375760490
Publication Date: 2002-06-11

Check out this version and others on ListenAlaska Plus
Travels in Alaska by John Muir
Publication Date: 1915

Awlays available for download at Project Gutenberg

Sources of free downloadable eBooks and audiobooks for Alaskans

Check with your local library for other sources. Alaska State Employees may access EBSCO's academic collection of ebooks - use the tab at the top of this guide for more information about EBSCO ebooks.

ListenAlaska Plus
Patrons of some Alaska Libraries can check out eBooks, audiobooks and music in formats for nearly all devices from ListenAlaska. If you live in an area without a library, you may be able to gain access to ListenAlaska through Regional Services .
Adobe Digital Editions Sample ebook Library
A small collection of free sample eBooks.
Baen Free Library
“Baen Books is now making available — for free — a number of its titles in electronic format.”

EBSCO ebooks (academic collection)
Available to State employees and on Alaska State Library public computers. Ebooks in nearly all subjects.

Free eBooks.net
Register for free membership and download 5 eBooks per month.
Google Play
You need to pay for most of the books on Google Play, but there are free books as well. Most of the free books appear to be classics.
LibriVox
LibriVox volunteers record audiobooks in the public domain (not subject to copyright). You'll find lots of classic literature recorded here. You can download the books in MP3 and OGG formats.
National Academies Press
Offers more than 5,000 free pdf books on science including polar studies, forestry, climate, earthquakes, ecology, and geography.
ManyBooks
Offers about 29,000 eBooks for Kindle, Nook, iPad and most other eReaders and tablets.
Open Library
Includes about 3 million classic and "modern" books in BookReader, PDF and ePub formats (and Daisy for the print disabled). The classic collection offers even more formats. Users must set up a free account. Only one patron can check out a book at a time from the modern collection.
Project Gutenberg
Offers over 45,000 free ePub and Kindle books, including literature, reference works, and more. Also includes some human read audiobooks and computer-generated audiobooks.
Smashwords
Offers over 43,000 free eBooks from Indie authors and publishers.