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Documents won't open?

PDF won't open? Make sure you have the current version of Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on the machine you are using. Also, take note of the size of the file. Some documents can be large and might be taking a while to load. Save the file to your personal computer/device and then try opening it. Finally, check which application your computer uses to open PDFs; if the one your computer is trying to use does not open the PDF correctly, choose a different application.

Can't access a library resource from your Blackboard course?

Please follow these steps:

1) Report the problem to us. Please include as much information as you know, including: course name, section, instructor's name, and the URL of the link you could not access.  We will get back to you as quickly as possible.  

2)  If you need a library resource (an article, database, etc.) immediately, please contact the reference librarian at the Circ Desk at  814-824-2234 or email us at ask@mercyhurst.libanswers.com and we will get the item to you, if possible. You can also Text us at 814-742-4138. 

3)  If you know the name of the library database you need to access (e.g. Academic Search Complete, JSTOR, etc.)  try going to the library's List of Indexes and Databases to access the resource directly.  Use the alphabet tabs to find the database by name.  Or try typing in the article name in the library's Search Everything Search.

Ebsco electronic books

How can I download and read electronic books on desktop computer?

The library has access to many electronic books through Ebsco.

  1. Click the eBook Full Text link to read the book in the eBook Viewer tool.

  2. Click the Download (Offline) link to check out the book and read it on your computer using Adobe Digital Editions

  3. Click the Table of Contents link to view the chapters of an eBook. You can go directly to a chapter in the eBook Viewer tool by clicking on a hyperlinked chapter.

A simple download process makes obtaining titles easy from any computer, and titles are compatible with most portable devices.


How can I download and read electronic books on my mobile device?

eBooks can be downloaded to your mobile device and read with the free Bluefire Reader app.

You will need the following:

  • Bluefire Reader App (Installed on your Apple, Android or Kindle Fire device)
  • An Adobe ID

 

Install Bluefire Reader App

Download the Bluefire Reader App from your device's app store:

 

Create an Adobe ID

If you have previously created an Adobe ID to download and read EBSCO eBooks with Adobe Digital Editions on your desktop computer, you already have an Adobe ID you can use to authorize the Bluefire app.

Note: You must authorize the Bluefire app with your Adobe ID.

 

Authorize Bluefire App with your Adobe ID

Before you download an eBook to Bluefire, you must authorize the app with your Adobe ID.

Please note: You will only need to authorize the BlueFire app with your Adobe ID once. After this has been done, you will only need to tap Download any time you wish to download and read an eBook on your device.

To Authorize the App:

  1. Open the Bluefire app from your device's applications menu.

  2. Enter your Adobe ID and password in the fields provided.

  3. Tap Authorize.

Your device is now authorized to read EBSCO eBooks.

 

Checkout and Download an eBook

Next, locate an eBook you wish to download to your device and use the following steps to download it.

To download an eBook:

  1. Use your device's web browser to search your institution's eBook Collection on EBSCOhost and tap an eBook image in the result list for the eBook you would like to download.

    The detailed record is displayed.

  2. Tap the Download (Offline) link for the eBook you would like to download.

    If you are not logged into your personal My EBSCOhost folder, you are prompted to do so.

  3. Select a Checkout period from the drop-down menu and tap the Checkout & Download button.

    The eBook is added to the Checkout area of your My EBSCOhost folder and begins to download to your device.

  4. Once the eBook downloads, choose Bluefire to open the file. From there you can view your library or begin reading the eBook.

You may now begin reading the eBook on your device.

Note:

  • After your eBook checkout expires, the eBook file is still be on your device but can not be opened. You must remove the file manually by opening Bluefire and selecting to remove it from your library.