**Publisher:** EBSCO Information Services
**Subjects Covered:** Multidisciplinary – science, engineering, technology, business, education, and humanities

Overview

The EBSCO eBook Collection (sometimes referred to as EBSCOhost eBooks) is a multidisciplinary platform providing full‑text access to thousands of academic and professional eBooks across all subject areas. The collection includes titles purchased individually by the library as well as those in subscription packages. It complements traditional research databases by offering book‑length treatments of topics, ranging from introductory surveys to specialized scholarly monographs, reference handbooks, and technical guides.

Scope and Content

• Coverage: Thousands of full‑text eBooks spanning STEM, business, education, and the humanities.
• Content Types: Academic monographs, professional handbooks, reference works, and textbooks.
• Sources and Publishers: Major university and scholarly presses such as Wiley, Elsevier, MIT Press, Taylor & Francis, and Springer (varies by institutional license).
• Access Model: Titles available through perpetual access purchases or subscription packages.
• Formats: Full‑text PDF and EPUB for online reading or download.
• Access: Multi‑user access for most titles; some may be limited to one or three concurrent users depending on license.
• Features: Download for offline use, bookmarking, highlighting, note‑taking, and citation export (APA, MLA, Chicago, etc.).

Strengths

• Broad subject coverage across all academic disciplines, supporting interdisciplinary research.
• Full‑text integration with other EBSCO databases for seamless cross‑searching of eBooks and journal content.
• Flexible reading options with online and offline access.
• Customizable for course reserves and embedded links in LibGuides and LMS platforms.
• Reliable metadata and citation tools, supporting catalog integration and academic referencing.
• Accessibility features include screen‑reader compatibility and reflowable text.

Limitations

• Some titles have concurrent‑user restrictions (single or limited user access).
• Certain publishers restrict chapter printing or full‑book downloads.
• Interface can appear complex to new users compared with commercial e‑readers.
• Collections may not always include the most recent editions of textbooks or manuals.
• Offline downloads require Adobe Digital Editions or a compatible app due to DRM protection.

Best For

• Undergraduate and graduate students seeking in‑depth reading or background information.
• Faculty preparing course readings and bibliographies.
• Researchers needing cross‑disciplinary book‑length resources.
• Librarians embedding eBooks into subject guides and course reserves.

Complementary Databases

Overall Evaluation

The EBSCO eBook Collection is a versatile, high‑value resource supporting research, teaching, and general reading across all disciplines. It offers reliable academic and professional titles with flexible online and offline access. For South Dakota Mines, it provides a multidisciplinary platform for engineering, business, and science students; convenient course integration options for faculty; and a centralized access point for owned and subscribed eBooks. It should be highlighted on the A‑to‑Z list and LibGuides as a primary eBook platform, with notes about possible license‑based access limits.

Ask Digby – Library Help

Need help evaluating sources or accessing databases? Ask Digby, the Devereaux Library’s friendly prairie dog mascot! Digby can assist with off‑campus access, citation tools, and choosing the right databases for your research.

📧 Email: library@sdsmt.edu

🌐 Chat: Ask Digby

🔗 Library Catalog (Primo): https://sdsmt.primo.exlibrisgroup.com

📍 Devereaux Library, South Dakota Mines, Rapid City, SD