Q. How do I download ebooks?

How do I download ebooks?

EBSCO eBook Download Options

You have 2 options for downloading EBSCO eBook pages and the chapter-at-a-time option is the quickest: 

• Full Download - requires MyEBSCO account & Thorium Reader installed on your computer (instructions below)
• Download chapter-at-a-time (up to 100 pages at a time) 
  • This is a permanent PDF download 
  • Does not require logging into MyEBSCO
  • Currently the only way to read on mobile devices or Kindle 

EBSCO eBooks – Full Download

Download full EBSCO eBooks with DRM Using Thorium Reader

Overview

As of May 2026, EBSCO eBook downloads require Thorium Reader for downloading & reading full-text eBooks with DRM (Digital Rights Management) protection.  Thorium Reader is a free, open-source application that offers improved accessibility features and meets modern accessibility standards.

Before You Begin

• You will need a MyEBSCO account – (required to manage user license limits) You can start from any KSC subscribed EBSCO database found at the library databases list, and click the MyEBSCO button to log in or create an account.
• You will need to install Thorium Reader on your computer
• Thorium Reader is available for Windows, macOS, and Linux — there is currently no mobile, Kindle, or ChromeOS app
• Each checkout can be used on up to 6 devices, but Thorium Reader must be installed on each device

Step 1: Install Thorium Reader

1. Go to thorium.edrlab.org (or search for "Thorium Reader" in your browser)
2. Download the version appropriate for your operating system (Windows, macOS, or Linux)
3. Install the application following the on-screen instructions

Step 2: Log In to EBSCO and Find Your eBook

1. Access EBSCO through the library website and log in with your MyEBSCO account
2. Search for and locate the eBook you wish to download

Step 3: Download the Full eBook

1. On the eBook page, click the Download button and select the Full eBook tab
2. Choose your desired borrowing period and file format (EPUB or PDF)
3. A passphrase will be generated and displayed — copy this passphrase before proceeding, as you will need it to open the file in Thorium Reader

Tip: Keep the passphrase somewhere accessible. If you forget it, you can return to EBSCO to regenerate a new one.

4. The eBook file will download to your computer

Step 4: Open the eBook in Thorium Reader

1. Open the Thorium Reader application on your computer
2. Click "Import Publication"
3. Navigate to your Downloads folder, locate the eBook file, and open it
4. When prompted, paste in the passphrase you copied from EBSCO
5. The eBook will now be available in your Thorium library

Note: You only need to enter the passphrase once per device for each eBook. After that, the book will open directly in Thorium and can be read offline until the loan period expires.

Important Notes

• Activity does not sync: Thorium Reader does not sync reading progress or activity across devices.
• File formats: EBSCO eBooks may be available as EPUB or PDF. Both can be opened in Thorium, but EPUB files offer more robust accessibility options (text-to-speech, adjustable font/layout, etc.).
• Adobe Digital Editions is no longer used or usable for viewing EBSCO eBooks with DRM.

What Hasn't Changed

• Online reading through the EBSCO interface remains the same
• Individual chapter downloads (DRM-free PDFs up to 100 pages) are not affected
• eBooks without DRM can still be downloaded directly