To read an ebook borrowed from your library on your e-reader, you must download the borrowed digital book file from the Web and transfer it to your e-reader from your computer using the Adobe Digital Editions application. An Adobe ID is also required. Follow the steps below for directions.

Amazon Kindle

You cannot read an ebook borrowed from your library on all models of Amazon Kindle e-readers because they are not compatible with EPUB files. Rather than supporting this standard format, Kindle readers support AWZ, a format developed and sold by Amazon only. However, Amazon Fire tablets using the Android operating system are compatible. See the Compatible Reading Devices and Applications section for compatible reading devices.

Digital Rights Management, or DRM for short, is a security measure integrated into an ebook designed to protect it from copyright infringement. It controls various parameters in regards to digital lending, including its duration. Two types of DRM are used for digital lending.

To read an ebook protected by the Adobe Content Server DRM, or ACS for short, you must have an Adobe account (available for free) and use a compatible reading application (see Compatible Devices and Applications 1).

The Licensed Content Protection DRM (LCP) is an open solution developed by the Readium Foundation, a group of more than 80 members of the publishing industry. If you are using  on your iOS or Android mobile device, it is this DRM that is used.

An Adobe ID is a free account that allows you to open DRM secured ebooks and view them on multiple devices. Each device must be authorized with the same Adobe ID to be read on multiple devices.

Transfer an Ebook to Your E-Reader from a PC

Step 1. Create an Adobe ID

If you already have an Adobe ID, skip this step and head to Step 2. Install Adobe Digital Editions On Your PC.


An Adobe ID is a free account that allows you to open ebooks protected by ACS. This DRM controls various parameters of e-lending, such as loan duration.

  1. Go to the Adobe login page at https://accounts.adobe.com/.
  2. Click on "Create an account".
  3. Fill out the form and jot down the email address and password you used to sign up. Read the terms of use and click "Create an Account."

Your Adobe ID is the email address with which you signed up. Please remember to write it down along with the password you chose. This information will be required to configure all applications and devices that require an Adobe ID to read ebooks.

Step 2. Install Adobe Digital Editions on Your PC.

If you already have the Adobe Digital Editions application installed on your computer and have entered your Adobe ID in the application, proceed directly to Step 4. Borrow An Ebook And Download It To Your PC.


The Adobe Digital Editions application lets you open ebooks and transfers them to your e-reader.

  1. Determine which version of Adobe Digital Editions you need to install (see Which Version of Adobe Digital Editions Do I Need To Install? ).
  2. To download version 3 of Adobe Digital Editions for PC, click here: http://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/digitaleditions/ADE_3.0_Installer.exe. To download the latest version of Adobe Digital Editions, visit the following page and click the link to download Digital Editions for Windows: https://www.adobe.com/solutions/ebook/digital-editions/download.html.
  3. Once the download is complete, click on the installation file downloaded from your browser to open it. You can also access your download by opening the Downloads folder on your computer.
    1. Click on the folder icon in your PC's taskbar to open the file explorer.
    2. Click on the Downloads folder.
    3. Click the downloaded installation file. The installation file will have a .exe extension.
  4. In the installation program window, check the "I accept the terms of the license" box and then click "Next."
  5. Click "Next" again, and then click "Install."
    1. Windows may prompt you to install Microsoft .NET Framework 3.5 Service Pack 1 before continuing the installation. If so, install this component before restarting the Adobe Digital Editions installation.
    2. If this is your first installation of Adobe Digital Editions, a Get Norton Security Scan window will appear. To avoid installing this unsolicited application, uncheck the box at the bottom of the window before clicking "Next".
  6. Once the installation is complete, click "Close" to close the installer.

Which Version of Adobe Digital Editions Do I Need To Install?

Problems may be encountered with some e-readers when using the latest version of Adobe Digital Editions. During the process of transferring an ebook from Adobe Digital Editions to an e-reader, an error message may appear saying that the file cannot be opened due to an authorization issue. To avoid this problem, installing Adobe Digital Editions version 3 is recommended. However, you can use the latest version of Adobe Digital Editions if your e-reader does not have this issue. The link to the download page for this version is also available.


  1. Open Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.
  2. Click the "Help" menu.
  3. Click "About Digital Editions."
  4. The version number can be found in the window that appears under the application name.

Clear authorization for your computer

  1. Open Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.
  2. Click the "Help" menu.
  3. Click "Clear Permission..."
  4. Enter your Adobe ID password and click "Continue."
  5. Click "Clear Authorization" and then click OK.

Uninstall Adobe Digital Editions

  1. Open the Start menu from your Windows PC's taskbar.
  2. Find the Adobe Digital Editions application, right-click and select "Uninstall."
  3. In the new window, right-click Adobe Digital Editions once again and select "Uninstall."
  4. Click "Yes" to allow the application to be uninstalled.
  5. Click "Uninstall."
  6. Once the uninstallation is complete, click "Close."


Step 3. Enter Your Adobe ID in Adobe Digital Editions

To read ebooks borrowed from your library, you must authorize your PC with Adobe Digital Editions by entering your Adobe ID.

  1. Open the Adobe Digital Editions application on your PC. You can access your applications from the Start menu by clicking the Windows icon on your computer's taskbar.
  2. Click "Help" on the menu.
  3. Click "Allow Computer..."
  4. Enter the email address and password used in Step 1. Create An Adobe ID.
  5. Click "Allow."

Adobe Digital Editions can now be used to read ebooks borrowed from your library. You will no longer need to repeat the previous steps.

Step 4. Borrow an Ebook and Download It to Your PC

Go to your library through your computer's web browser.

  1. In your computer's Web browser, browse your library's catalogue to find the ebook you want to borrow.
  2. On the search results page or in the book's detailed record, click on the "Borrow" button.
  3. Click on the "Confirm Borrowing" button.
  4. Click on the "Download" button to download the ebook file. You can also download this file by following the link sent to you by email or in the "Borrowing and Reservations" section of your profile.
  5. Click on the downloaded file from your browser to open it. You can also access your download by opening the Downloads folder on your computer.
    1. Click on the folder icon in your PC's taskbar to open the file explorer.
    2. Click on the Downloads folder.
    3. Click the downloaded file. The file will have a .acsm extension.
  6. By default, it will open in Adobe Digital Editions.

The downloaded file will have a .acsm extension due to the DRM.

Step 5. Transfer an Ebook to Your E-Reader from Your PC 

The following screenshots display a Kobo e-reader, but the instructions remain the same if you are using another e-reader compatible with Adobe Digital Editions.


Be sure to open the Adobe Digital Editions software to transfer borrowed ebooks to your e-reader from your PC.

  1. Connect your e-reader to your PC using the USB cable that came with the device. Authorize your PC on the device.
  2. In your Adobe Digital Editions library, select the ebook you want to transfer to your e-reader.
  3. Drag and drop the file to your e-reader.
  4. When the file transfer is complete, click on the eject device icon on your PC's taskbar and select "Eject."
  5. You may safely unplug your e-reader from your computer.

The first time you transfer an ebook to your e-reader, the device will be authorized using the same Adobe ID as the one used in your Adobe Digital Editions setup.

 

Step 5. Returning a Loan Early in Adobe Digital Editions 

Be sure to open Adobe Digital Editions on your PC to return the borrowed ebook to your library before its due date.

  1. In your Adobe Digital Editions library, select the ebook you wish to return.
  2. Right-click and click "Return Borrowed Item."

Your return will be processed within minutes.

Transfer an Ebook to Your E-Reader from a Mac computer

Step 1. Create an Adobe ID

If you already have an Adobe ID, skip this step and head to Step 2. Install Adobe Digital Editions on Your Mac.


An Adobe ID is a free account that allows you to open ebooks protected by ACS. This DRM controls various parameters of e-lending, such as loan duration.

  1. Go to the Adobe login page at https://accounts.adobe.com/.
  2. Click on "Create an account."
  3. Fill out the form and jot down the email address and password you used to sign up. Read the terms of use and click "Create an Account."

Your Adobe ID is the email address with which you signed up. Please remember to write it down along with the password you chose. This information will be required to configure all applications and devices that require an Adobe ID to read ebooks.

Step 2. Install Adobe Digital Editions on Your Mac

If you already have the Adobe Digital Editions application installed on your computer and have entered your Adobe ID in the application, proceed directly to Step 4. Borrow an Ebook and Download It to Your Mac.


The Adobe Digital Editions application lets you open ebooks and transfers them to your e-reader.

  1. Determine which version of Adobe Digital Editions you need to install (see Which Version of Adobe Digital Editions Do I Need To Install?).
  2. To download version 3 of Adobe Digital Editions for PC, click here: http://download.adobe.com/pub/adobe/digitaleditions/ADE_3.0_Installer.dmg. To download the latest version of Adobe Digital Editions, visit the following page and click the link to download Digital Editions for Windows: https://www.adobe.com/solutions/ebook/digital-editions/download.html.
  3. Once the download is complete, click on the installation file from your browser to open it. You can also access your download by opening a new Finder window:
    1. Click on your Mac's desktop.
    2. From the menu, click on "File."
    3. Click "New Finder Window."
    4. In your Finder window, click on "Downloads."
    5. Click on the downloaded installation file. The installation file will have a .dmg extension.
  4. In the new installer window, click "Digital Editions Installer."
  5. Click "Continue," then "Continue," and then "Accept" to accept the terms of the software license agreement.
  6. Click "Continue," then click "Install," then enter your Mac's password and click "Install Software" to begin the installation.
  7. Once the installation is complete, click "Close" to close the installer.

Which Version Of Adobe Digital Editions Do I Install?

Problems may be encountered with some e-readers when using the latest version of Adobe Digital Editions. During the process of transferring an ebook from Adobe Digital Editions to an e-reader, an error message may appear saying that the file cannot be opened due to an authorization issue. To avoid this problem, installing Adobe Digital Editions version 3 is recommended unless your Mac is running macOS Catalina and later versions.

From Catalina onward, the macOS operating systems no longer support 32-bit applications. While Adobe Digital Editions version 3 is a 32-bit application, the latest version is a 64-bit application. If you have problems transferring ebooks from Adobe Digital Editions to your e-reader and your Mac's operating system is macOS Catalina (or later), you will need to install an older version of the macOS operating system, such as Sierra. For more information on the incompatibility of 32-bit applications on macOS Catalina, see https://support.apple.com/HT208436.


  1. Open Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.
  2. Click the "Help" menu.
  3. Click "About Digital Editions."
  4. The version number can be found in the window that appears under the application name.

Clear authorization for your computer

  1. Open Adobe Digital Editions on your computer.
  2. Click the "Help" menu.
  3. Click "Clear Permission..."
  4. Enter your Adobe ID password and click "Continue."
  5. Click "Clear Authorization" and then click OK.

Move the folder containing your Digital Editions documents

  1. Click on your Mac's desktop.
  2. Click on the "File" menu.
  3. Click on "New Finder Window."
  4. In the Finder window, click on "Documents."
  5. Right-click on the Digital Editions document and select "Rename."
  6. Rename the document so that it is no longer recognized by Adobe Digital Editions and move it to your desktop.

Uninstall Adobe Digital Editions

  1. In your Finder window, click on Applications.
  2. Right-click on the Adobe Digital Editions application and select "Place in Trash." You can do the same with the shortcut to the application.
  3. From the application bar on your computer, right-click on your trash can and select "Empty trash".


Step 3. Enter Your Adobe ID in Adobe Digital Editions

To read ebooks borrowed from your library, you must authorize your Mac with Adobe Digital Editions by entering your Adobe ID.

  1. Open the Adobe Digital Editions application on your Mac. You can access your applications by opening a new Finder window:
    1. Click on your Mac's desktop.
    2. From the menu, click "File."
    3. Click "New Finder Window."
    4. In your Finder window, click "Applications."
    5. Click Adobe Digital Editions.
  2. Click "Help" on the menu.
  3. Click "Allow Computer..."
  4. Enter the email address and password used in Step 1. Create an Adobe ID.
  5. Click "Allow."

Adobe Digital Editions can now be used to read ebooks borrowed from your library. You will no longer need to repeat the previous steps.

Step 4. Borrow an Ebook and Download It to Your Mac

Go to your library through your computer's Web browser.

  1. In your computer's Web browser, browse your library's catalogue to find the ebook you want to borrow.
  2. On the search results page or in the book's detailed record, click on the "Borrow" button.
  3. Click on the "Confirm Borrowing" button.
  4. Click on the "Download" button to download the ebook file. You can also download this file by following the link sent to you by email or in the "Borrowing and Reservations" section of your profile.
  5. Click on the file downloaded from your browser to open it. You can also access your download by opening a new Finder window:
    1. Click on your Mac's desktop.
    2. Click on the "File" menu.
    3. Click "New Finder Window."
    4. In your Finder window, click "Downloads."
    5. Click on the downloaded file. The file will have a .acsm extension.
  6. By default, it will open in Adobe Digital Editions.

The downloaded file will have a .acsm extension due to the DRM.

Step 5. Transfer an Ebook to Your E-Reader from Your Mac

The following screenshots display a Kobo e-reader, but the instructions remain the same if you are using another e-reader compatible with Adobe Digital Editions.


Step 5. Transfer an Ebook to Your E-Reader from Your Mac

Be sure to open the Adobe Digital Editions software to transfer borrowed ebooks to your e-reader from your Mac.

  1. Connect your e-reader to your PC using the USB cable that came with the device. Authorize your Mac on the device.
  2. In your Adobe Digital Editions library, select the ebook you want to transfer to your e-reader.
  3. Drag and drop the file to your e-reader.
  4. When the file transfer is complete, click on the eject device icon on your PC's taskbar and select "Eject."
  5. You may safely unplug your e-reader from your computer.

The first time you transfer an ebook to your e-reader, the device will be authorized using the same Adobe ID as the one used in your Adobe Digital Editions setup.

Step 5. Returning a Loan Early in Adobe Digital Editions 

Be sure to open Adobe Digital Editions on your Mac to return the borrowed ebook to your library before its due date.

  1. In your Adobe Digital Editions library, select the ebook you wish to return.
  2. Right-click and click "Return Borrowed Item."

Your return will be processed within minutes.