Books and e-books
At the library, we have extensive collections of non-fiction in both print and electronic formats. The collections also include some fiction in several languages, as well as children's books.
Search for books and e-books
Use the Library Search Tool to find books. Start by searching, then narrow your results by selecting source type: books or e-books. If the book is in print, you can see in the results list whether it is available on the shelf. If it is, you can collect it and borrow it using the loan machine. If the book is on loan, you can place a reservation. You can find more information on our borrowing information pages.
- Borrowing
Find information about your library account, loans and renewals, fees, and interlibrary loans for individuals and libraries.
Access to e-books
When you are on campus, you get automatic access to e-books. Off campus, you need to log in with your LTU user account. Students and staff at Luleå University of Technology have an LTU user. If you do not have one, your access is limited.
If you do not have an LTU user
If you do not have an LTU user account, you can only access most e-books when you are at the library. You can use your own device or one of the library's computers. To open an e-book, you need a temporary access code, which you can generate using a special iPad available at the library. You still have access to all e-books that are openly available online.
Search for open access e-books
Go to Libris and enter your search terms. In the search results, filter by selecting Free online, Book, and E-resource in the menu.
- Libris
National catalogue.
You can also find open access scientific e-books through these portals.
- DOAB - Directory of Open Access Books
Free online e-books in all subjects. - Kriterium
A portal for review, publication and dissemination of high-quality academic books, in accordance with the principles for open access. - Open Polar
A global Open Access Portal for Research Data and Publications on the Arctic and Antarctic.
E-book publishers
The rules for borrowing, copying, printing and downloading e-books are different depending on the publisher. You can also search for e-books directly on the publishers’ websites. This often gives you more search options, such as full-text searching and browsing by subject.
Cambridge Core
- Cambridge Core
Select the link to go to Cambridge Core.
Copying and Printing
One chapter or 5% of a book may be copied, and one chapter or 20% of a book may be printed out.
Downloading
Books can be downloaded chapter by chapter in pdf format.
EBSCOhost eBook Collection
- To EBSCOhost
E-books on EBSCO platform. - Ebsco Mobile App: Quick Start Guide
Select the link to find the guide.
Copying and Printing
Up to 100 pages per book can be saved as a PDF and printed, depending on the publisher’s rules. Some books do not allow text copying at all. On the book’s details page, you can see what rules apply to that specific title.
Downloading
To read books offline, you need to create a free EBSCOhost account. Downloaded books can be read for up to 12 hours. Books with single-user access cannot be downloaded. To read downloaded books on a computer (PC, Mac, or Linux), you need Adobe Digital Editions. For mobile devices, you can use the EBSCO Mobile App, available from the Apple Store or Google Play.
Other features
User account: To save notes in the text, you need to register a user account. This is free of charge for library users.
Limited number of users: Some books can only be read by 1 to 3 users at the same time. You can see the number of allowed users on the book’s details page.
ProQuest
- ProQuest Ebook Central
Select the link to open ProQuest Ebook Central.
Copying and printing
You can copy single chapters. The book’s details page shows which rules apply to each title.
Downloading
To download a full book, you need Adobe Digital Editions on your computer, tablet, or phone. The download period may vary depending on how many copies the library has.
Other features
You can highlight text, add notes, and bookmark pages in the online version. These are saved to your personal bookshelf.
SpringerLink
- SpringerLinks e-book site
Select the link to open SpringerLinks e-book site.
Copying and printing
Single chapters may be copied and printed.
Downloading
Books can be downloaded in full as PDF or ePub files, or one chapter at a time as PDF. Individual chapters can also be read online.
Other features
Students or staff at Luleå University of Technology can purchase a printed copy of e-books owned by the University Library.
Taylor & Francis
- Taylor & Francis e-book page
Select the link to go to the webpage. - Taylor & Francis e-book help page
Select the link to go to the help page.
Copying and Printing
Printing and copying are allowed for personal use..
Downloading
Books can be downloaded in full or by chapter in PDF format.
Other features
Most e-books larger than 200 MB cannot be read online and must be downloaded.
Listen to e-books
In most cases, e-books can be read aloud using built-in or external tools.
PDFs
Many e-books are in PDF format and can be read using the built-in speech function in Adobe Reader, called Read Out Loud. To activate it, go to View and Read Out Loud in the menu.
The reading voice depends on your computer's operating system (PC or Mac).
Please note: If you download a chapter or page as a PDF from some platforms, the file may be an image. These image-based PDFs cannot be read aloud with Read Out Loud.
TorTalk
At LTU, you can install the speech synthesis program TorTalk. It can read all text that can be marked, such as content in Word documents, most web pages, and standard PDF files. TorTalk includes voices for reading in Swedish and English. It can also read text from images and locked PDF files, including many e-books.
- TorTalk
More information about TorTalk.
Find the books in the library
Dewey – books with number codes
The book collection on the upper and ground floors is organised using the Dewey Decimal Classification system. Some number sections are placed on the ground floor due to space limitations.
- WebDewey
Use WebDewey to check what the different Dewey numbers represent.
SAB - books with letter codes
Books labelled with the SAB classification system are placed on the lower level. This includes the Nordkalott collection, all fiction, older non-fiction, and non-fiction for children.
- SAB - Libris
Use Libris to see what the different SAB letter codes stand for.
Can't find the book you need?
If we don’t have the book you need, you can suggest a purchase or request it through interlibrary loan.
- Suggested purchases and interlibrary loans
Select the link for more information.
Special collections and donations
The library holds several special collections and donated materials. Examples include the North Calotte collection and the Ragnar Lassinantti book collection. The North Calotte collection, located on the ground floor, includes books on a wide range of subjects. Books from the Lassinantti collection that focus on the North Calotte are also found here. Other books from the Lassinantti collection are placed alongside the library’s general collections, based on subject.
- Special collections and donations
Select the link for more information.
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