Almost one thousand eBook versions of popular best sellers, mysteries, romances, and nonfiction titles are available for download from the North Suburban Digital Consortium to your personal computer, smartphone, or Pocket PC.

eBooks come in two file formats: Adobe and Mobipocket. eBook files of either version will work on your personal computer, but only the Mobipocket version will work properly when transferred to a smartphone or Pocket PC.

To download an eBook you must first have the appropriate software loaded onto your computer and/or other device.  Both Adobe Reader® and Mobipocket Reader® software is available free from the North Suburban Digital Consortium website.

Adobe Reader® eBooks

Mobipocket Reader® eBooks

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Adobe Reader® eBooks

Adobe Reader® is the free reader used to read DRM-protected PDF files.  It combines a vivid reading experience with an intuitive interface, enabling you to read high-fidelity eBooks on your desktop, laptop, or supported PDA.   Because Adobe Reader takes full advantage of the Adobe Portable Document Format (PDF), you can expect to enjoy the same beautiful typeface, images, and page layout you would see with a paper book.

Adobe-formatted eBooks downloaded from the Consortium may be used on personal computers and laptops, and will expire and become unusable after three weeks. They may be returned early. Adobe versions may be downloaded to only one computer or laptop at a time.

Step-by-step instructions for downloading Adobe Reader® eBooks:

1. After installing Adobe Reader®, you may go to the consortium site to select a title.
2. Add the title to your BookBag.
3. Click the Proceed to Checkout. You will be asked to sign in by selecting your home library and entering your library card number. This establishes your digital account.
4. Click the Confirm check out button.
5. The eBook will then be ready to download to your computer; the file will be stored in the folder where the Adobe Reader® software resides.
6. Download the book and open it in Adobe Reader®. This action acquires the license needed for you to use and read the eBook on your computer or laptop.

Mobipocket Reader® eBooks

The Mobipocket Reader® is a universal eBook reader for Windows computers and many handheld devices (see list below). Featuring bookmarking to facilitate quick returns to noteworthy sections, full text searching, and adjustable font size and color, the Mobipocket Reader® offers an enriched reading experience.

Mobipocket-formatted eBooks downloaded from the Consortium will expire and become unusable after three weeks. They may not be returned early. Mobipocket versions may be downloaded and read on three different computers or handheld devices at a time.

Step-by-step instructions for downloading Mobipocket Reader® eBooks:

1. Open up Mobipocket Reader® and select My Device List on the left side of the reader screen to show your computer or device.
2. Click on Edit Properties
3. Under Device PID, Your Personal PID for that computer will be listed. Write down that number.
4. Go to the consortium site website and sign in by selecting your home library and entering your library card number. This establishes your digital account.
5. Click on My Mobipocket PIDs and register the PID number of your computer or device. You will not be able to read downloaded Mobipocket versions unless the PID is first registered.
6. Now you may select a Mobipocket version of an eBook and add it to your BookBag.
7. Follow the Proceed to Checkout and Confirm check out links.
8. Download the eBook onto your computer or device. If you choose to open the eBook when prompted, it will open immediately to the first page.
   Note: You must first have the Mobipocket Reader® software on your computer and the PID registered. The eBook file will will be stored in the folder where the Mobipocket Reader® software resides and registration will activate the license for you to be able to read it.

Mobipocket Reader® Platforms

Mobipocket runs on computers running Windows 2000 and Windows XP operating systems, as well as SmartPhones and most PDAs. A list of supported devices is provided below. If you want to transfer an eBook to a handheld device, you must have first downloaded the appropriate Mobipocket software to the device and then followed the procedure outlined above to identify and register the device's PID.

Although Mobipocket is designed to work on all of the platforms listed below it is not possible, given the number of available devices, to guarantee that each device is supported. Please download the trial version of the software to ensure that it works on your device.

Handheld device support for:

PalmOS

PalmOS version 4.0 and above: All devices

Windows Mobile

Pocket PC 2000/2002/WM 2003/WM 2005: All devices

Smartphone

All devices

Symbian OS

Series60, UIQ, Series80, Series 90

BlackBerry

Firmware 3.7 or higher.
Handheld series 5800, 6500, 6700, 6200, 7100, 7200, 7500 can be upgraded to firmware 3.7 if needed (except 5810/5820, 6750, and 6710 (with only 8MB of flash) devices)