Emerson College Library: eBooks: Adobe Digital Editions (ADE)

About Adobe Digital Editions

What is Adobe Digital Editions?

Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) is free eReader software created by Adobe. ADE is required in order to read eBooks that you have downloaded from Iwasaki Library's ProQuest or EBSCOhost collections, except for DRM-Free eBooks.

What is DRM?

DRM, or Digital Rights Management, is used by publishers to make sure that you don't copy and share files (in this case, books) beyond the limitations that they set. In the case of ProQuest and EBSCO, downloaded eBooks must be read using special software (Adobe Digital Editions) and are restricted to one computer or Adobe account until the loan expires, at which point they must be re-downloaded. Our limited number of "DRM-Free" eBooks don't have this restriction, meaning you are free to download and use them however you like.

What if I don't want to use Adobe Digital Editions?

While Adobe Digital Editions is required to download and read full eBooks, you can also read them in the web browser without downloading anything. In addition, you can download individual chapters or excerpts without DRM. The EBSCO Mobile App is another option for downloading eBooks on iOS and Android devices, and is the best way to read EBSCO content on those platforms.

Download and Install Adobe Digital Editions

1. Download the appropriate version of Adobe Digital Editions from the official website: Adobe Digital Editions 4.5.11 Installers

Macintosh and Windows versions are available directly from Adobe. iOS and Android versions must be downloaded from their respective app stores, which are linked from the official Adobe page.

2. On Mac or Windows, run the Installer file and follow the instructions. The default settings will work best for most users.

You may be prompted with an offer to "Get powerful Norton protection." This is an advertisement and should be ignored (click "No, Thank You").

3. Once Adobe Digital Editions is installed, you must also authorize your device before reading DRM-protected books.

On Mac and Windows, you have the option to authorize without an ID, which means that eBooks you download are checked out to that device specifically, and unavailable elsewhere.
Alternatively, you may create a personal Adobe ID and use that to authorize the device. This means that eBooks downloaded to the device are associated with your ID and can also be read on a limited number of other devices you have also authorized.

4. To create and use an Adobe ID to authorize your device, first select Adobe ID in the box labeled "eBook Vendor." Follow the blue link to "Create an Adobe ID." Once your ID has been created, return to Adobe Digital Editions and fill in the boxes labeled Adobe ID and Password.

5. Once you have authorized Adobe Digital Editions using either method, you are ready to download eBooks from ProQuest and EBSCO using the instructions below.

eBooks

About Adobe Digital Editions

What is Adobe Digital Editions?

What is DRM?

What if I don't want to use Adobe Digital Editions?

Download and Install Adobe Digital Editions

1. Download the appropriate version of Adobe Digital Editions from the official website: Adobe Digital Editions 4.5.11 Installers

Macintosh and Windows versions are available directly from Adobe. iOS and Android versions must be downloaded from their respective app stores, which are linked from the official Adobe page.

2. On Mac or Windows, run the Installer file and follow the instructions. The default settings will work best for most users.

You may be prompted with an offer to "Get powerful Norton protection." This is an advertisement and should be ignored (click "No, Thank You").

3. Once Adobe Digital Editions is installed, you must also authorize your device before reading DRM-protected books.

On Mac and Windows, you have the option to authorize without an ID, which means that eBooks you download are checked out to that device specifically, and unavailable elsewhere.

Alternatively, you may create a personal Adobe ID and use that to authorize the device. This means that eBooks downloaded to the device are associated with your ID and can also be read on a limited number of other devices you have also authorized.

4. To create and use an Adobe ID to authorize your device, first select Adobe ID in the box labeled "eBook Vendor." Follow the blue link to "Create an Adobe ID." Once your ID has been created, return to Adobe Digital Editions and fill in the boxes labeled Adobe ID and Password.

5. Once you have authorized Adobe Digital Editions using either method, you are ready to download eBooks from ProQuest and EBSCO using the instructions below.

Download Full eBooks from ProQuest

Download Full eBooks from EBSCO