Introducing the new Ebook Central Reader App

Almost ten years ago, we introduced the Ebook Central platform with a clear vision to build a platform that evolves alongside the needs of libraries, students, and researchers. We are committed to investing in this platform long term and to continue to deliver on that promise with the launch of the new Ebook Central Reader App.

Developed in close collaboration with library development partners, this new app provides a secure, accessible and flexible reading experience across mobile and desktop devices. It’s a modern companion to the Ebook Central online reader and is designed for students who expect to study on the move, and for libraries that need trusted, future-ready infrastructure.

Meredith Griggs-Keane, VP of Product Management, Clarivate, said, “This launch represents a significant step in our long-term investment in Ebook Central. The new app reflects our commitment to building secure, student-centered experiences that evolve.

Read Anywhere, with Confidence

Today’s students expect their learning tools to move with them, whether that means catching up on assigned reading between classes or accessing full books offline during travel. The new Ebook Central Reader App was built with this flexibility in mind, offering a consistent and dependable experience across iOS, Android, Windows, and macOS.

Through ongoing collaboration with libraries and feedback from users, we identified four key requirements that shaped the design of the new app:

• • Accessibility by design, in alignment with WCAG 2.2 and the latest EPUB standards.
  • Secure and seamless access across all major operating systems and devices.
  • Simplified device management, giving users and admins clear control.
  • An intuitive reading experience, built to meet the study habits of today’s learners.

The result is an app designed to support real-world academic workflows. It features a refreshed, user-friendly interface that makes it easy for students to navigate and engage with content. With reliable offline access, students can confidently download ebooks and continue their learning uninterrupted, even without an internet connection.

Drew Baker at the Digital Theological Library was a development partner on the Ebook Central Reader App. He said: “The new Ebook Central Reader App is a clear step forward. It’s clean, accessible, and easy to use - offering a significantly improved experience over previous solutions. We appreciated the opportunity to contribute to its development and look forward to introducing it to our students.”

Secure Access, Thoughtfully Designed

Today’s academic institutions need more than a modern interface: they need technology that puts privacy, accessibility, and responsible content use at the forefront. The new Ebook Central Reader App is a purpose-built solution developed in-house by Clarivate to support secure, inclusive, and trusted digital access. By minimizing reliance on third-party tools, the app gives libraries and users greater control over device authorizations and delivers a consistent, reliable experience across mobile and desktop platforms - all with privacy and security built in from the ground up. Moreover, use of the app is fully covered by existing licences and agreements, and user privacy remains protected under the same terms and conditions you already trust through your use of Ebook Central.

Security isn’t just about protecting user data - it’s also about safeguarding the intellectual property of the thousands of publishers who entrust their content to Ebook Central. The app features robust digital rights management (DRM) that protects content from unauthorized use while preserving a smooth, user-friendly experience for legitimate library patrons.

Advancing Our Accessibility Mission

The new Ebook Central Reader App builds on recent enhancements designed to improve accessibility across the platform. It follows the launch of the Ebook Central Research Assistant, an AI-powered tool that helps students engage more effectively with academic texts, and the introduction of ‘EPUB Preferred’, which made EPUB the default reading format on Ebook Central.

Behind the scenes, we’re also focused on improving how accessibility metadata is shared and surfaced. Working closely with publishers of all sizes and organizations like the DAISY Consortium, Inclusive Publishing, and the Publishing Accessibility Action Group, we’re helping ensure that ONIX and MARC records reflect key accessibility features such as alt-text and screen reader compatibility.

Together, these initiatives reflect our ongoing commitment to inclusive access. You can read more about our work on helping academic libraries support research and learning for all students in our recent blog: Digital accessibility in higher education.

In Summary and What’s Next For Libraries?

By introducing a dedicated app developed in-house, we now have the flexibility to evolve the reading experience in direct response to feedback from Ebook Central development partners and the wider customer community. This new app allows us to strengthen content protection, improve usability and ensure a secure, consistent environment that supports students and library systems.

Libraries will decide when to switch to the new Ebook Central Reader App and each institution can choose the timing that best aligns with its internal review processes. Once a library enables the new app on its Ebook Central site, all new ebook downloads will open in the app.

The Ebook Central Reader App is now available for free in all major app stores, offering a secure, accessible, and modern alternative to Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) for offline reading.

To learn more about the new app, get technical information, and learn how to initiate the switch, please visit our Ebook Central Reader App Resources Hub.

Whether you're ready to make the switch now or still preparing, we're here to ensure the rollout is seamless and fully supported so you can introduce the new app to your users with clarity and confidence.