Q. How do I download an eBook for offline use?

How to Check Out & Download eBooks (EBSCO & ProQuest) 

1. Find an eBook in the Library Catalog

• Search the catalog as usual.
• Click the “view eBook” link to start. You may be prompted to sign in with your Fuller ID.

2. Accessing the eBook Online

• After sign-in, you'll enter the database’s eBook viewer.
• You can read chapters online, use table of contents links, or select “read(access)online”/“full text”.

Downloading for Offline Use

A. EBSCO eBooks

• Account: You must have a (free) EBSCOhost account to download entire books or use the “bookshelf” features.​
  • Click Sign In (top nav), then “Create Account” if new.
  • MyEBSCO sign-in is separate from the Library Login Credentials.
• Formats: Choose PDF (best for desktop, fixed pages) or EPUB (reflows for mobile).
• Partial Download: You can save or print a set number of chapters/pages as a PDF (usually up to 60 -100 pages/day, but publishers may set limits).
  • No EBSCO account needed for just chapters/pages.​
• Full Download: Requires a free EBSCOhost account & Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) software.
  • Checkout period: up to 7 days for most titles.
  • The downloaded file will be ACSM (open with ADE/Bluefire Reader for mobile).
  • You will need to authorize ADE with your Adobe ID (recommended for use across devices).​
  • Notes/highlights in ADE are erased after the checkout period ends.
• Returning Titles: The ebook will expire at the end of checkout; you can check out again if you need more time.

B. ProQuest eBook Central

• Optional: Sign in to your (free) ProQuest account to unlock extra features. 

You do not need to create a separate ProQuest account. You just use your Fuller credentials to log in, and ProQuest automatically recognizes you through single sign-on (SSO).

• Reading Online: Click “Read Online.” To download, click “Download” (you may be prompted to read online first).
• Full Download: You’ll be asked:
  1. Device type (Windows/Mac or iOS/Android).
  2. To install Adobe Digital Editions (desktop) or Bluefire Reader (mobile).
  3. To select your checkout period (up to 21 days for most titles).​
• Partial Download: Most titles let you download up to one chapter or a limited page count as a PDF—no account or software required for this.
• File Type: Entire book downloads use ACSM files (open with ADE or Bluefire). Partial downloads are plain PDF files.
• Returning/Renewing: Books expire at the end of your checkout. To “renew,” simply re-download.

Special Notes

• Simultaneous Users & Limits: Some eBooks, especially EBSCO, may restrict to a set number of users at once—if you see an “in use” message, try again later.​
• DRM & Access: You must use Adobe Digital Editions or Bluefire for full downloads because of digital rights management (DRM) rules.
• Offline Reading: After downloading with ADE/Bluefire, you don’t need internet to read during your checkout period.
• Downloadable Chapters/Articles: No account needed for chapter/article PDFs; just choose “Download PDF” for eligible titles.
• Other Platforms: Some library eBook vendors (JSTOR, Project Muse, Cambridge Core, etc.) only allow chapter/article downloads, not full-book downloads. Some resources (e.g., History of Global Christianity Online, ATLA Historical Monographs, EEBO) allow only “read online.”