All About e-Books

SAA’s ebooks (PDFs and EPUBs) are distributed by BiblioVault and are single-user licenses.  You’ll need to download Adobe Digital Editions to read the e-Book (see #9 below).

Note: ebooks are nonreturnable and nonrefundable.

1. Which electronic formats are offered in the SAA Bookstore?

SAA sells PDF and EPUB files to enable readers to view a select few publications electronically. We will be adding more e-books to the SAA Bookstore in the months to come. (Note: SAA does not currently sell Mobipocket files, the format that the Amazon Kindle supports.)

2. Which devices can support PDF and EPUB files?

PDFs can be read on PCs, Macs, and some tablets and e-readers, including the Apple iPad and some versions of Barnes & Noble Nook, Google, Sony, Kobo, and Samsung devices.

Most tablets and e-readers can support EPUB files, including the Apple iPad and Barnes & Noble Nook, Google, Sony, Kobo, and Samsung devices. You can also read EPUB files on your PC or Mac by downloading the free software Adobe Digital Editions. Please note that the Amazon Kindle cannot currently support EPUB files.

If you’re not sure if your device can support a particular file format, please consult your device’s user manual.

3. What’s the difference between PDFs and EPUBs?

PDFs replicate the layout of a printed page but do not reflow to adjust to different screen sizes. While you cannot change the text size in a PDF, you can zoom in or out to see text or images clearly.

The EPUB format was specifically designed to be read on tablets and e-readers. Files in the EPUB format do not have “pages” like a traditional publication, and these files are more fluid than PDF files. Text in EPUB files can reflow to accommodate different devices, sizes, and orientations, and the reader can often alter the font or size of the text in these files.

4. What’s the best way to view the EPUB file?

An EPUB file can appear differently on different devices. To achieve the best possible reading experience, SAA recommends changing the settings on your device to the publisher default setting. If needed, please consult your device’s user manual for instructions on changing the settings.

5. How can I purchase a PDF or EPUB?

After choosing the format you’d like to purchase in the SAA Bookstore (www.archivists.org/bookstore), click the “Purchase Now” button. Enter the quantity you’d like to order in the “Quantity” field, and click “Add to Cart.” You can then proceed with your purchase by clicking “Checkout.”

After clicking the “Checkout” button, you’ll be asked to enter an email address and password to register an account on the website of SAA’s distribution vendor, BiblioVault. You cannot purchase an electronic product until you’ve registered. Keep your password handy for any electronic products you purchase from SAA in the future.

Once you’ve registered with the website, you’ll be asked to enter your billing and credit card information to finalize your purchase.

6. I’m an SAA member. How can I get the member price when purchasing a PDF or EPUB?

Once you’ve added the item(s) you’d like to purchase to your shopping cart, type “SAAM” in the “Use Promo Code” field, to the left of the “Checkout” button. Your price will automatically adjust to the correct member price once you proceed to checkout.

7. Can I purchase a print publication and an electronic publication simultaneously?

No, our system currently cannot accommodate this type of purchase. Print publication orders are processed through SAA’s website, while electronic publication orders are published through our distribution vendor, BiblioVault.

8. What will happen after I purchase an electronic product?

Once you’ve entered your credit card information and finalized your purchase, you’ll be directed to a page with your receipt. On this page, follow the “Click here to access this item” link. (This receipt and link also will be emailed to you. Be sure to check your spam or junk folder if this email doesn’t arrive in your inbox.)

9. How can I load the e-publication onto my device once I’ve purchased it?

The link to access your purchase will lead you to a page with instructions for loading the item to various devices. Choose the platform you’ll be using to read the e-publication from the options listed on the menu on the left-hand side of the page.

For those reading on a PC, Mac, Barnes & Noble Nook, Kobo, or other USB device, you’ll need to download Adobe Digital Editions to read the e-publication. Use an Adobe ID to authorize Digital Editions. (If you choose not to authorize, your book file will only be able to live on the very first machine it opens on; it cannot be moved elsewhere.) Click here to create an Adobe ID.

For those reading on an iPhone, iPad, iPod, or Android device, download the Bluefire Reader app, then use your Adobe ID to authorize the app. (Android users can also use the app Aldiko to read the publication.)

Bibliovault also provides further FAQs and support information here: http://www.bibliovault.org/BV.ebook_notes2.html.

10. Who should I contact for assistance with purchasing an e-publication or transferring the publication to my device?

Please contact our distribution vendor, Bibliovault, at bv-ebook-help@uchicago.edu.

Click here to return to general FAQs about the Bookstore.