Ebooks are really just books that you read on some type of screen, but it can definitely get a little confusing. This guide will help you figure the different ways you can read ebooks and where to get them.
| Ereaders | Laptops | Tablets | Smartphones |
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Ereaders are designed specifically for the purpose of obtaining and reading e-books. They use special e-ink screens for better readability and longer battery life. Examples: |
These are mobile computers, capable of most functions performed by larger desktop computers. Examples: |
Tablets are mobile devices that merge many of the features of a laptop and a smartphone, and use a touch screen interface. Examples: |
Smartphones are Web-enabled phones that feature a variety of enhanced data services. Examples: |
Ebooks come in a wide variety of formats, and knowing a few of the main file types can help you find ebooks that work for you.
EPUB (.epub) - Supported by most devices, but NOT Amazon’s Kindle. Ebooks from your library are often .epub files.
Portable Document Format (.pdf) - Consistent displays on every screen. Most devices can open .pdfs. Requires Adobe Acrobat.
Kindle (.azw) - Only work on Amazon’s Kindle ereader or other Amazon software. Library ebooks do not work on Kindles.
HyperText Markup Language (.html) - The standard format for webpages. Computers can read .html, but most ereaders do not.
© Enoch Pratt Free Library, Baltimore, Maryland.
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