Chances are, if you use ebooks for leisure reading, you use a device like a Kindle, Nook, or iPad. But up until recently, our academic ebooks have not been useable on devices like that – they’ve been more akin to what you would find on Project Gutenberg, GoogleBooks, or the Baen Free Library. Designed for a computer, and only usable on a device that was actively on the internet.

But times are changing. This month, EBSCO eBooks – one of our largest ebook providers – has just rolled out a new app that will let you access and use tens of thousands of volumes on iOS devices including the iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch (download the app here), Android devices (download the app here), Kindle, and Nook (follow the instructions here). Now you’ll have all the ease of access that you’re used to from commercial applications, and be able to read whether you’re connected to the internet or not!

And EBSCO isn’t the only one with such a service. A year ago, eBrary, our largest ebook vendor, made their collection usable through the Bluefire app (which you might already have on your device, if you’re an avid ebook reader). Bluefire can be downloaded here for iOS devices, and here for Android.

So if you love your Kindle but find reading on your computer screen a chore, this is very good news. Read an academic ebook without the eyestrain on an E-Ink device. Make the highlights and annotations you want without fear of damaging it. Synchronize across multiple devices, if you use more than one. And, of course, the convenience. You can read them anywhere – on the bus. Under a tree. Even take them on parade!

Any questions? Ask us at iueref@iue.edu!