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CSUSM Library provides access to many different kinds of ebooks with different access models. When a single title has multiple possible options available, the Library always purchases the most permissive license available:
For books on Library Reserve, where possible and budgets allow, the Library always purchases an ebook version instead of print to enable 24/7 access for users both on and off-campus.
Questions about what 'DRM-free' or other ebook-related terms mean? See the Ebooks FAQ.
Want to know more about how to read ebooks offline? See ebook Downloading Guide.
| Access Level | Simultaneous Users and Usage Limits | Example eBooks | Can I Read Offline? | Can Faculty use in Library Reserves? |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Unlimited DRM-free |
Unlimited simultaneous users. No annual limits on usage. |
Yes, complete offline download that requires no third party software (typically downloads as a PDF). | Yes | |
| Unlimited DRM-controlled | Unlimited simultaneous users. No annual limits on usage. Full downloads require additional software to comply with DRM | Partially - users can download portions or chapters from each book, but cannot down the full book, or requires third party software, such as Adobe Digital Editions or BlueFire Reader, to download and read offline. | Yes | |
| Non-linear lending / concurrent users | 200-325 uses per year; unlimited simultaneous users up to that limit. After available uses are exhausted, the book is no longer available until the annual license period renews (in other words, the book will be available next year). |
CSUSM Library avoids purchasing these kinds of licenses to avoid access from being exhausted. |
Not Available | Technically you can, but this is not recommended, as the available uses may run out before the course ends. Contact reserve@csusm.edu and we will attempt to purchase unlimited access. |
| 3-Users | Only 3 users can access the book at a time. If a fourth user attempts to read the book, they will see a 'turnaway' error. The Library is automatically notified of the turnaway so we can purchase more access. | ProQuest | Not Available | Technically you can, but your students may experience turnaways, which is frustrating. Contact reserve@csusm.edu and we will attempt to purchase unlimited access. |
| 1-User | Only 1 user can access the book at a time. If a second user attempts to read the book, they will see a 'turnaway' error. The Library is automatically notified of the turnaway so we can purchase more access. | EBSCO Ebooks | Not Available | Technically you can, but your students may experience frustrating turnaways. Contact reserve@csusm.edu and we will attempt to purchase unlimited access. |
| Open Access / Open Educational Resources (OER) |
Unlimited simultaneous users. No annual limits on usage. |
Yes, formats vary, but typically allows complete offline download that requires no third party software (typically downloads as a PDF). | Yes |
Digital Rights Management (DRM) refers to restrictions on how a digital file can be accessed. The most common type of DRM associated with library materials are ebooks that require special, proprietary software to open and read (for example, Adobe Digital Editions and an individual Adobe account is required to download many library ebooks in full). DRM makes it harder to read books offline, and requires many steps to get downloaded ebooks onto mobile devices. While downloading DRM ebooks is onerous, even ebooks that have DRM are readable via browser and typically enable partial PDF downloads (for example, you may be permitted to download a chapter or a certain page limit as a PDF without DRM, but cannot download the entire ebook without DRM restrictions).
Where possible, CSUSM library prefers to purchase DRM-free ebooks, which typically enable downloading, storing, and opening ebook files through a variety of programs. DRM-free ebooks are easier to open, read, and share.
CSUSM DRM-free ebook providers:
Why do some ebooks only allow 1 or 3 users to access them at a time?
Separate from DRM, ebook providers may restrict simultaneous use of an ebook (for example, an ebook may allow only 3 simultaneous users to read the book via browser at the same time). These restrictions are meant to mimic the practical limitations of physical library books (in the sense that only one person can check out a physical book at a time). The ebook access table provides definitions for the various access levels that you may encounter among CSUSM Library's ebooks, as well as examples of what the ebook limitations look like in OneSearch. CSUSM Library always strives to provide unlimited access DRM-free access whenever possible.
Why is it so difficult to download DRM-controlled Library ebooks to read offline?
Many Library ebook platforms have chosen to utilize Adobe Digital Editions software to enable offline reading of Library ebooks, which unfortunately requires the completion of several setup steps the first time you attempt to use it. However, once your devices are set up and authorized with your Adobe Digital ID, reading ebooks should only take a few clicks. Wherever possible, the Library purchases DRM-free ebooks so users don't have to go through so many steps to read ebooks offline.
Why can I not download ebooks that say they on have 3 or 1 user limits?
Ebooks that only allow 3 or 1 user to access them at any given time can usually not be downloaded in full for offline reading. You can almost always download portions of these ebooks as PDFs, but they generally must be accessed and read online through your browser. This is to enable more access to the limited ebook, because as soon as one user's browser session ends, another user can access the book. Fully downloaded ebooks may be unavailable for a week or more, even if the original user who downloaded the book is no longer using it.
Thank you for reducing the cost of textbooks on campus! The Library can support you in this through library reserves, and the Library does purchase ebooks we don't already have in our collection. Please see the Library's CALM guides for additional resources.
You can login to the Library's reserves tool and search for books and ebooks to add to your course (see "Managing Your Library Reserves" for more information about this). If we don't own the item, you can still add it to your course list, and the item will be purchased if funds are available. You will be notified if/when the item is available. You can also email information about the book you need for your reserves to reserve@csusm.edu.
