Books and Reading: eBooks and Audiobooks

The basics

BBC has a huge range of eBooks available for students and staff. They are accessible on several different platforms. Wheelers eBooks (all fiction) are for 2 week loans; the other eBooks (non-fiction, curriculum-related) are available to everyone simultaneously, for any length of time. 

You can visit the Library Catalogue, search for all the resources on your topic, and choose a green eBook icon  source on that topic (if one exists), which will be an eBook.

Printing copying and downloading
You may be able to print, copy or download an eBook, depending on the publisher. The amount you can print or copy varies between collections. You may need to create an account to use these functions.

E-book loans
The Wheeler fiction platform will require you to create a loan. All the others do not require this - they allow multiple concurrent access.

E-book file types
The most common files types for eBooks are PDF and ePUB (electronic publication). ePUB adapts to your mobile device screen size. 

Apps
Some eBook providers have their own, or recommended apps, which will be prominently displayed on their home page. They can allow you to access and read eBooks from your mobile device.

Contact us for ebook help
jking@bbc.qld.edu.au

Wheelers ePlatform hosts an inspiring Australasian-based digital library. There are over 2000 ebook titles and over 700 Audiobook titles to choose from, with the inventory growing every day. 

As access to Brisbane Boys’ College wifi for personal  devices (such as phones) requires certification, we suggest students upload the 'Wheelers App' and audio books from your home network.

DON'T DO THIS IF YOU'RE NOT ON WI-FI AS CELLULAR
STREAMING/ DOWNLOADING IS EXPENSIVE!

1. Add the 'Wheelers app' to your phone from your App Store.
2. Tap on ‘Add Library’ or ‘Find your Library’ from the menu – search for Brisbane Boys College and select.
3. Browse or search for an Audio Book.
4. Click on the audiobook you are interested in, then click on ‘Sign in’.
5. Use your Network login and Password to sign in.
6. Once signed in you can select ‘Borrow’ > then click on ‘Play/Pause’.
7. Ensure you go to the three bar menu   in the right top corner of your screen and select ‘Store Offline’.  This will enable you to listen to the audio book whilst offline.
8. Click again on the 3 bars to see your book downloading. This may take up to 10 minutes, depending on the size of the book.
9. Now you should be able to listen to your audiobook offline (eg in car or bus). To check if this will work, turn your wi-fi off and see if you can still hear the sound.

NOTE:  Both eBooks and Audio books are available for download through the Wheelers App downloaded to your phone.