eBooks

Tips and tricks for searching and reading eBooks at NSCC

EPUB vs PDF eBook Format

NSCC eBooks are available in EPUB or PDF formats, or both. Here is the difference between the two.

  • EPUBS function better with screen reading software.
  • EPUB is an HTML-based format, so it may contain links within the text, either to other sections of the book, from the index to relevant pages, and out to the open web.
  • EPUB eBooks text will re-size and change shape to fit the size and shape of the screen, like a webpage. This is called Reflowable Text.
  • Reflowable text impacts pagination. Publishers handle this differently; some embed pages to match the print or PDF version, some leave them out entirely. When publishers do not provide EPUB page numbers, you can navigate using the Table of Contents sections or using embedded links.
  • The zoom in/out tools have been removed from the EPUB viewer because the text resizes automatically.

Proquest eBook Central

EPUB is the default format in ProQuest's Ebook Central. The EPUB format is adaptable and compatible with screen readers.

ProQuest's eBook Central Accessibility Statement covers accessibility features and issues including:

  • uses with screen readers
  • downloading, printing, copying
  • structure
  • image description
  • magnification
  • colours, contrasts, fonts
  • keyboard navigation
  • and more.

EBSCO eBooks

EBSCO eBooks strives to make content accessible to all users. EBSCO is currently targeting WGAC (Web Content Accessibility Guidelines) 2.0 level AA.

EBSCO eBook Accessibility User Guide and FAQs includes information for:

  • Blind and low vision users
  • Colour vision-impaired users
  • Users with vision who rely on the keyboard
  • Users with dyslexia
  • Deaf users
  • Screen reader and browser combinations
  • Instructions on navigating eBooks with screen readers

Gale eBooks

Gale is committed to making its products accessible to users of all abilities and strives to make products universally accessible and user-friendly in conformance with Section 508 standards of the Rehabilitation Act and Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0 from the W3C (World Wide Web Consortium).

Gale's Accessibility Platform covers the following information on Gale's accessibility features including:

  • ReadSpeaker technology (text-to-speech) allowing text to be read aloud to users and downloaded in MP3 format
  • Ability to print, e-mail and download articles
  • On-demand content translation into 11 languages

Overdrive

Subjects: Library Resources