There are two ways to describe an electronic book or eBook. One is as a handheld device used for reading text and viewing pictures in an electronic form, and the other is as text displayed on a device or computer.

eBookHome.com - An introduction and guide to the world of eBooks.

eBooks at the Ferguson Library

The Ferguson Library is making its electronic book collection available to the community on the computer terminals at the Main Library and all of its branches, as well as to users with current Ferguson Library cards and a PC with an Internet connection.

Please follow the directions below to access the library's electronic book collection:

1. Go to any computer terminal in the main library and visit netLibrary's website (if you are accessing netLibrary from outside the library then click here for Remote Users registration - a valid Ferguson Library card is required).
2. Enter your username and password if you are a returning visitor or you may create a new account.
3. Once logged in, you can search netLibrary's holdings and check out a book.
4. This book is checked out to you for a specific length of time. You can read your book either at a public library computer terminal or at home. All you need to do is return to the netLibrary's homepage and login.
5. Once you are logged in you can read your book by clicking on Reading Room. If you have any problems or questions about setting up an eBook account or using netLibrary, please contact the second floor reference desk at 964-1000, ext. 221 or 222.

The netLibrary eBook Reader is netLibrary's personal software that provides the ability to read eBooks offline on a PC, without being actively connected to the Internet.

Click here to view a list of Ferguson Library's netLibrary holding.

Online Vendors and Free eBook Websites

Bibliomania
Free Online Literature and Study Guides Bibliomania brings you the internet's best collection of classic texts and study resources.  Houses an extensive online collection of texts ranging from fiction and poetry to general non-fiction and the classics.

Booklocker
This site offers over 500 titles from over 400 authors.

DiskUs Publishing
This publisher offers 40 short (200 screen pages or less) inexpensive titles. Books are available in PDF, HTML, PRC formats and as Softbook and Rocket Book editions.

Electron Press
The site offers 21 fiction and nonfiction titles. The titles are available in PDA and PDF formats.

Baen Free Library
Baen Books has placed a number of its science fiction and fantasy titles in electronic format on the web for free. Users may read the book online or download it in one of several formats.

MemoWare
A collection of thousands of documents especially formatted to be easily added to your PalmOS device,  Psion PDA, TI Avigo, or WinCE device.

The Online Books Page
An index of thousands of on-line books on the Internet. Pointers to significant directories, archives of online texts and special exhibits

Project Gutenberg
Key documents and speeches from US history, including the Federalist Papers, NAFTA and the Constitution. Also has literature and reference title.

Hard Shell Word Factory
This company specializes in books by new authors.