App-ly Yourself! Digital Apps for Exploring Durham Tech Libraries
While students and staff can explore the library's website and its many resources on their smartphones and tablets, dedicated standalone apps for these devices can still offer a great deal of flexibility. Users may already be familiar with Libby, which grants Durham Tech users access to the wonderful Dogwood Digital Library collection, which offers popular fiction and non-fiction books. This post highlights a few other apps that provide unique ways of accessing academic materials while on the go.
eBooks galore!
In addition to the aforementioned Libby App, there are a few apps that let you better explore our various eBook databases.
Ebsco Mobile (iOS, Google Play)
Durham Tech offers several Ebsco eBook collections, but searching and viewing them through Ebsco Mobile is convenient and fast. The app also allows users to download ebooks to their devices for a limited amount of time. For example, I want to learn the coding language Python, so I can download the Python Basics Self-Teaching Introduction on the mobile app and flip through the digital pages while coding on my desktop computer. Convenient!
However, the books you check out on the web version do not carry over to your mobile app automatically. Users may also need to download the Adobe Digital Editions App (iOS, Google Play) to download certain titles. If you need assistance, Ebsco offers a help page.
Remember, our EBSCO databases such as the Academic Ebook Collection and Nursing eBook Collection can be explored and read through on desktop, laptop, and Chromebook computers as well.
Adobe Digital Editions App (iOS, Google Play, PC, Mac)
Proquest's ebook Central does not have a standalone app, but it does adapt to smaller screens and is usable across smartphones and tablets. Downloading an eBook to a smartphone or mobile device from eBook Central requires several steps and an account with both Ebsco and Adobe, which are free to sign up with. If you download a book from eBook central on a desktop computer and open it in the Adobe Digital Editions desktop program, that title should be available in your Adobe Digital Editions App for as long as you have access to it, provided that you are signed into the same account in both locations.
It is a bit complicated at first, so the library recommends Proquest's online guide to accessing downloaded Ebooks from Ebook central.
STAT!Ref (iOS, Google Play)
STAT!REF's collection of allied health and medical books makes for an incredibly convenient medical research resource, and it offers a dedicated mobile app! Users first need to make a profile with STAT!REF after they've accessed it on campus or while at home using our database link. On the top-left of the STAT!REF web page is a link that says "Profile." Users should click on that and create an account with STAT!REF. Then click "Profile" once logged in and select "Anywhere Login Account." Once the "Anywhere Login Account" is activated, you can access the STAT!REF app using the STAT!REF account you just created. Users can also follow the STAT!REF guide for help with this process.
Test Prep, Languages & More!
Transparent Languages (iOS, Google Play)
Also offered through North Carolina public libraries, Transparent Languages is a course-driven language learning app that, once you've created an account on the website, you can do lessons on your desktop computer and then pick up where you left off with your mobile device via the app. All of the courses are free and there's no paid subscription.
Learning Express Library (iOS, Google Play)
Learning Express is also offered through public libraries but offers useful practice tests, college success skills, and other useful resources for college students. The mobile app allows you to download ebooks, flashcards, and other study materials. It even offers graduate school preparation materials for
That is a long list of educational tools to get you started exploring with your smartphone or tablet! Please remember to consult the developer or owner of these apps if you have questions about system requirements or are not sure if your device is compatible. The library recommends users who have trouble accessing library databases from off-campus contact the library via email at library@durhamtech.edu. Happy learning!