E-books are here to stay.   Whether you already own an e-reader (or want to use another digital device as one) or are considering buying one there are some basics you should know. 

"Buying" material:  First, you don't necessarily "own" it even though you paid for it.  Think of it more as a rental.  Although there are ways to share material you pay for, not all are acceptable to the publisher (who typically retains the rights to its use and distribution).   Where you can buy/rent a specific title will depend on which companies the publisher has agreements with.  A few major sources are:

Google  (which carries the Fire Engineering/PennWell, Jones & Bartlett/NFPA and Delmar lines, among others: 

• Go to Google’s home page
• At the top click on “more” and choose “Books”
• Use the Search function by typing in the title or author of the book
• You can preview a sample of the book’s pages for free before purchase by clicking on “View Sample”
• Once you decide to buy an ebook, click the “Buy Now” button and follow the prompts 

Amazon.com offers some fire service books for sale through its Kindle service (plus free loans of some general interest titles).  Includes books from the Jones & Bartlett/NFPA line

Barnes & Noble offers some fire service books for its Nook.  For nonfiction, try looking at their Nook textbook list at http://www.barnesandnoble.com/textbooks/search.asp 

Ebrary (which carries Delmar,  CRC, Fire Engineering/PennWell and more)

E-textbook rental companies have expanded into the e-book business.  http://www.chegg.com/etextbooks/ , http://www.ecampus.com 

How do I find out which fire service titles are even available in ebook format? 

Not as easy as it should be!  To buy, search Amazon.  Other than government publications, there are very few fire service ebooks available for free download or loan.  For loans, try your library system's catalog.

Free downloads: 

There are lots of ways to do this.  You can use your public library system as a gateway to many mass market titles.  For example, most library systems in NY State subscribe to the OverDrive service.  To access it, you'll need a public library card (or PIN).  However, you'll find no fire service titles on OverDrive, as the focus is on leisure books.

Google - Same as above, but you're looking for the free materials only.  I like the advanced search screen at http://books.google.com/advanced_book_search .   You'll find USFA titles by searching http://books.google.com/books?lr=&q=%22fire+administration%22+inpublisher:fema&rview=1&as_brr=1&sa=N&start=-10

LRC Library (in-house NETC students or EFO candidates)- "You can access any of our eBooks anywhere, 24/7, by creating a free account while on campus and then logging in. If you are an EFOP student you can also call 301-447-1046 for assistance in setting up your account from home." Got to http://www.usfa.fema.gov/data/library/ebooks/ for more information.

New York State Library - Current or retired State employees (even part-timers such as SFIs) can access thousands of e-books free at http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/ebooks.htm .  To sign up, see information at "Libraries" section of this wiki under  Fire Libraries

New York Public Library also has lots of ebook titles.  And anyone living in or working in NY State can get a NYPL e-access card!

New York State Office of Fire Prev. & Control has posted PDFs of some of its outreach course manuals online.  More to follow as time goes on! http://www.dhses.ny.gov/ofpc/manuals/