What is an eBook?
An eBook is a text that has been transformed into a digital format. This allows the book to be read on a computer or other devices available to read digital text. Some of the eBooks available on the Internet are free, more recent works must be purchased. Students and teachers may access eBooks from their computers in several ways.
- Purchase the eBooks from a vendor. Visit the large vendors such as Barnes & Noble or Amazon.
- Sign up at the WHS library to use NetLibrary--Once you are registered you may access the site from home and check out eBooks from any computer.
- Download texts for free from sites on the Internet--Do this from home and download to your hard drive or at school to a disk.
Free eBooks
The most widely known and oldest of the free eBook sites is Project Gutenberg. It started in 1971 when Michael Hart began digitizing American historical documents. The collection consists of books which were published before 1923 and number around 4,000. Download texts for free from this and other eBook sites on the Internet. Do this from home and download to your hard drive or at school to a disk.
- eScholarship This site allows access to many of the books published by scholars in their field. It is part of the California Digital Project.
- Electronic Etext Center The University of Virginia is responsible for this site which includes illustrations with the text. Thanks to Mr. Wilson for this link.
- Folklore and Mythology Electronic Texts
- Visit Project Gutenbergand look for your favorite classic.
- Online Books Page Do a search here and you will be directed to the digital text site.
- FreeBooks5000. This site is addictive. Besides eBooks you'll find quizzes, ePostcards with literary quotes, plus readers may order all the eBooks on one CD. All for free. For those of us with tired eyes you can "adjust the width of the reading column, the font size/style and AutoScroll speed".
- Bibliomania
When a book is selected, readers may also retrieve information about the author and the work. Links are also provided.
- American Literary Classics
- Bartleby.com Great for the classics
- World Wide School-The library A good assortment in all subject areas. Includes all the Federalist Papers, non-English publications, and so much more.
eBooks to Borrow
You may view, download, and read eBooks from NetLibrary. To register, visit the WHS library. After registration you may access NetLibrary from any computer. For a quick link, go to the Online Database page of the WHS Library Site. Books may be downloaded to your computer or to a PHD. Brought to WHS by our membership in SEMLS (Southeastern Massachusetts Library System.)
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Page by Cynthia Tobojka at warehamps.org December 2003. Updated October 11, 2005.