EBL (Ebook Library): Devices, Apps, and Software

See these Wikipedia pages for more information:

• E-readers
• Comparison of e-book readers
• E-books
• Comparison of e-book formats
• Tablet computer
  

Adobe Digital Editions (ADE)

• TO DOWNLOAD DRM-PROTECTED BOOKS. Use ADE software to download or transfer copy-protected (DRM) e-books to and from your  computer/laptop to other devices like e-readers
• ADE supports industry-standard e-book formats, including PDF and EPUB
• NOTES: (1) This software is required to read public library books e-books. (2) On iDevices, ADE and the BlueFire app (see below) *must* use the same Adobe ID.

Adobe PDF Reader

• Adobe Reader software is the global standard for electronic document sharing
• It is the only PDF file viewer that can open and interact with all PDF documents

For example: iPad, iPhone, iPod Touch

Reader apps are available on iTunes.

Apps for iOS devices include:

• Bluefire Reader - You should have this app if you want to download books with DRM software, or books from your public library, which also have DRM
• iBooks
• Kobo
• Nook app
• Kindle app - This app only stores your Amazon books so that you can read them; you cannot search Amazon through the app

This good article (July 2013) describes reading apps for iOS devices. 

For example:  Google Nexus, Samsung Galaxy, HTC One

Reader apps are available at the Google Play Store.

• Aldiko
• Bluefire Reader - You should have this app if you want to download those books with DRM software
• Moon+ Reader
• Nook app
• Kindle app - This app only stores your Amazon books so that you can read them; you cannot search Amazon through the app

This good article (March 2013) describes reading apps for Android devices.

For example:  Nokia Lumia 920; Windows Phone 8X by HTC; Samsung ATIV Odyssey

Reader apps are available at the Windows Phone Store.

• Freda
• Mobipocket
• Nook app
• Kindle app - This app only stores your Amazon books so that you can read them; you cannot search Amazon through the app

For example:  Nook Classic, Nook Color, Nook Tablet, Nook HD, Nook HD+

Many public libraries get their e-books from a company called Overdrive. Recently the 3M company has gotten into the e-book business as well.

If your public library has e-books through one or both of these companies, you can get Barnes and Noble apps that will allow you to download directly to your Nook. (Your public library will also provide these apps when you are about to check out an e-book.)

• Overdrive Media Console - This app allows you to download DRM-protected books to your Nook from your public library or other institution that gets their e-books through Overdrive. NOTE: You need your library card number.
• 3M Cloud Library - This app allows the same thing, and you also need your library card number. Here is more info about 3M Cloud LIbrary.

For example:  Kindle, Kindle 2, Kindle DX, Kindle Paperwhite, Kindle Fire

• Amazon App Store - There are a few e-book apps
• Bluefire Reader - You should have this app if you want to download those books with DRM software, or books from your public library, which also have DRM. Bluefire is is now available for the Kindle Fire.

TIP: Some of the free e-book sites offer books in several formats, some of which Kindle accepts. For example,

• Internet Archive offers several choices including "Kindle," which is really .mobi, which Kindles accept
• Project Gutenberg does the same

Calibre is FREE software that will sync to your e-device and convert, organize, and generally help you to manage your e-book collection.

It allows you to convert e-book formats to read on different e-reader devices (but it does *not* remove DRM protection). Here is the Calibre FAQ.