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Ebook collections available at the Brown University Library

Brown University Libraries have an extensive collection of ebooks in a variety of disciplines. This guide will assist you in searching for, accessing, and downloading digital content.

ProQuest Ebook Central

The Brown University Library subscribes to ProQuest Ebook Central (formerly ebrary), a multi-disciplinary collection of electronic books . Available titles can be searched for in the librarycatalog.

ProQuest Ebook Central ebooks can be viewed in their entirety online within the browser, but ProQuest allows users to download a book for offline reading on either their tablet or phone (iOS and Android are supported) using the independent, highly rated Bluefire Reader for mobile devices--freely available for iOS devices in the App Store and for Android devices in Google Play.

You will need Adobe Digital Editions to download ebooks to your laptop or desktop. This free software is different from Adobe Reader.

A free Adobe ID is also required to transfer the ebook to another device. It is NOT required to read ebooks in browser.

Please note:

  • Kindle devices and the Kindle app are not supported at this time and we do not purchase Kindle ebooks.
  • Adobe Digital Editions is not compatible with Linux at this time.

Downloading ProQuest ebooks for offline reading

Downloading ProQuest Ebook Central ebooks for offline reading on your computer, tablet or mobile device:

  1. Choose the title that you would like to read and select "Full download"
  2. You'll receive a prompt to login with your ebrary account. Don't have an ebrary account? You can create a free one by following the link.
  3. Select what you'll be reading your item on. If you're reading your item on a mobile device or tablet, you'll be prompted to download Bluefire Reader, a free software that is required for reading on mobile devices or tablets.
  4. You'll need the Adobe Digital Editions software to download titles to your computer in addition to an Adobe ID. If you're reading our ebooks on a mobile device or tablet, you'll need an Adobe ID in addition to the Bluefire Reader software. At this moment you can create a free Adobe ID, or select "done with this step" to continue with your download.
  5. You're now ready to download your ebook. If you're using a computer, your file will download as a .ascm file. Select the file and Adobe Digital Editions will open and automatically load and display your ebook.
  6. If you're on a mobile device or ereader, you’ll be prompted to download your item and open the ebook in Bluefire. Your ebook will download and appear ;in your Library.

Help with ProQuest Ebook Central

Need help?

  • ProQuest Ebook Central has some excellent, short how-to videos on their YouTube page. These videos will show you how to search, download, and manage your ebook library.
  • View ProQuest Ebook Central's FAQs page, for answers to some frequently asked questions on using their ebooks.