eBooks at the Library

The Hancock County Public Library now offers electronic books through its online catalog. Card holders have the ability to download two eBook titles to their computers at home. The book can be read on the computer for three weeks, then checks itself back in; so there are never late fees.

At this time, eBooks cannot be renewed or placed on hold. As with traditional books, if another person has borrowed an eBook, new users must wait until it is returned.

Displaying the book requires version 6.x or newer of free software called Adobe Reader, which should be downloaded first by clicking here. If Adobe Reader 8 is installed, Adobe Digital Editions is also required.

The eBook remains on the computer where it is downloaded. Home computers and personal laptops, not public computers at the library, must be used to check out the eBook from the library's Website.

Here's how to check out an eBook (results may vary, depending on your computer's software):

1. Ahead of time, be sure to have a library PIN, a secret number for access to your personal library account. Enquire at the circulation desk if you do not have one. You will also need the number on the back of your library card.
2. Download Adobe Reader version 6.x or newer at www.adobe.com. Be sure to use the computer from which you'll read the book. If Adobe Reader 8 is installed, Adobe Digital Editions is also required.
3. Visit the library's Website at www.hcplibrary.org .
4. Click the button for the online catalog.
5. On the next screen, click the box in front of "Search Only Electronic Books." Then click the blue "Search" box.
6. A list of eBooks will appear. Select the title you want by clicking the "Details" box. Then click "Use eBook" in the lower right hand corner.
7. Next, click "Checkout eBook and Download."  The eBook will be charged to your account. (Note: As with a hard copy, you may preview an eBook before checking it out by selecting the "View eBook" button. Be sure to click "Return Book" in the upper right hand corner when you finish viewing.)
8. Click the "eCheckout" button. The book will automatically open in Adobe Reader for you to view.
9. You may see the following message in your Web browser after you select "eCheckout": Downloading this document requires Adobe Reader or Adobe Acrobat version 6.x or later to be installed on your computer. If you receive this message and you are sure you have the latest version of Adobe Reader, click on the button I'm sure I have this software, or select the link download your documents. If you need to download the latest version of Adobe reader, click on the button Download Adobe Software, or click on the link click here to download Adobe Reader.
10. Optional: when you download the book, the software automatically saves the file to a folder on your computer, probably in "My Documents." The name of the folder varies, depending on a computer's software. To make finding the eBook easier, before you close the book, save the file to your desktop. That way, it's easy to find the file for reading and, later, to it's easy to delete after the loan period has expired.
11. The file will not open after the expiration date. The book returns itself automatically. Nothing is required of you. Delete the obsolete file from your computer at any time.
12. The eBook can be downloaded to a PDA (personal digital assistant, e.g. Palm Pilot) during the loan period. Open Adobe Reader. Go to "File" and then "Digital Editions." Select "Authorize Devices." Follow the steps to authorize an additional device.