An ebook can be read on different devices:

  • a computer;
  • a dedicated reading device or e-reader;
  • a tablet;
  • a smartphone.

To read an ebook borrowed from your library, your device and the reading application you use must be EPUB and PDF compatible. They must also be able to read a DRM (Digital Rights Management) protected file. This page lists the major devices and reading applications that are compatible with e-lending. To learn more on how to borrow and read an ebook on your device, see our quick start guide for your device

EPUB is an open format standardized by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) based on the XML language. It is designed to simplify on-screen reading. Its main advantage is dynamic reformatting, where the layout of text and images adjusts automatically when the font size is changed. This format ensures comfortable reading on any device, whether on a computer, a reader, a tablet or a smartphone.

Created by Adobe, the PDF format is now an open format standardized by the International Organization for Standardization (ISO). This format guarantees uniform layouts (fonts, images, etc.) regardless of the medium on which the file is read. PDFs offer comfortable reading on a computer and most tablets but makes reading on an e-reader or smartphone more difficult, if not impossible.

Digital Rights Management (DRM) is a protective measure built into an ebook and designed to protect it from copyright infringement. It controls the various parameters of the digital loan, including its duration. Two DRMs are used in e-lending.

To read an ebook protected by ACS (the Adobe Content Server DRM), you must have an Adobe account, which you can sign-up for free, and a compatible e-reading application (see Compatible reading devices and applications).

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

Tablets are multimedia devices that usually have most of the functions of a laptop computer. On the other hand, e-readers are dedicated reading devices. Their screen uses a display technique, called e-ink, that mimics the appearance of a printed page to lessen visual fatigue caused by reading on a screen. They are generally lighter than tablets and have longer autonomy (several days or even weeks).

E-readers

Compatible e-readers

Devices

EPUB

PDF

Kobo
Aura, Aura ONE, Aura H2O, Aura HD, Clara HD, Elipsa, Forma, Glo, Glo HD, Libra H2O, Libra 2, Nia, Sage, Touch, Touch 2.0

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NOOK
GlowLight, GlowLight 3, GlowLight Plus 6, GlowLight Plus 7.8, SimpleTouch, SimpleTouch GlowLight (unavailable for sale in Canada*)

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PocketBook
Basic Lux 2, Basic 4 Black, Touch HD3-spicy copper, Touch HD3-metallic grey, InkPad 3 dark brown, InkPad 3 black, Touch Lux 5 Ruby Red, Touch Lux 5 Ink Black, Color Moon Silver, InkPad 3 Pro Metallic Grey, InkPad X Grey (unavailable for sale in Canada*)

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Bookeen
Bookeen Saga, Cybook Muse, Cybook Muse HD, DIVA, DIVA HD (unavailable for sale in Canada*)

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Tolino
epos 2, page 2, shine 2, vision 5 (unavailable for sale in Canada*)

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Vivlio
Touch Lux 4, Touche Lux 5, Touch HD Plus, InkPad 3, Color (unavailable for sale in Canada*)

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inkBOOK
Calypso Plus, Focus (unavailable for sale in Canada*)

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*Nevertheless, it is possible to purchase these devices from international stores (customs fees may apply).

Incompatible e-readers

Amazon Kindle

You cannot read an ebook borrowed from your library on Amazon Kindle e-readers (all models).


Tablets and mobile devices

Compatible tablets and mobile devices

All tablets running Android version 7.1.1 and above or iOS version 15 and above are compatible with the Pretnumerique application.

On Android, our reading applications are only available through the Google Play Store. Since Amazon has its own app store, Amazon Fire tablets do not come with the Google Play Store installed. Thus the only way to access our reading applications on these tablets is by first installing the Google Play Store manually. The installation of this third-party product is complex and falls outside the scope of this documentation.

Non-compatible tablets

A compatible e-reading application must be used (see Compatible mobile applications) to read an ebook borrowed from your library on a tablet. These are downloaded from your tablet's application store (App Store on iOS, Google Play on Android). Some older tablet models do not allow you to download a compatible e-reading application. Such is the case for the following tablets:

  • Chromebooks that do not support Android applications (models released before 2019)
  • 1st generation iPad
  • Microsoft Surface RT and Surface Go

E-reading applications

Compatible desktop applications


Operating SystemSupported FormatsFeatureDRMPrice
ApplicationMacOSWindowsLinuxEPUBPDFEarly returnACSLCPFree
Adobe Digital Editions(tick)(tick)(error)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(error)(tick)
Thorium(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(error)(tick)(tick)

Compatible mobile applications


Operating SystemSupported FormatsFeatureDRMPrice
ApplicationiOSAndroidEPUBPDFEarly returnACSLCP Free
Pretnumerique.ca(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(error)(tick)(tick)
Aldiko Next(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(error)(tick)(tick)
Adobe Digital Editions(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(error)(tick)(error)(tick)
Aldiko Classic(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(error)(tick)
Bluefire Reader(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(error)(error)
Bookari Ebook Reader(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(error)(error)
Pocketbook reader(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(tick)(error)(tick)

Non-compatible desktop applications

Adobe Reader

You cannot read an ebook borrowed from your library with Adobe Reader, as this software does not support reading DRM-protected files. It is the DRM that controls the various parameters of a digital loan, including its duration.

Non-compatible mobiles applications

To read an ebook borrowed from your library on a tablet or smartphone, you should use a mobile application that can read a DRM protected file. The DRM controls the various parameters of a digital loan, including its duration. Many playback applications do not support DRMs, which is essential for digital library lending. Such is the case for the following applications:

  • Apple Books
  • Application Kindle
  • Application Kobo
  • Application Nook
  • Application Overdrive
  • FBReader
  • Moon+ Reader
  • Txtr