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Library Database PDF and Ebsco Issues

Overview

Some students may experience issues when opening PDFs within library databases on Chromebooks, particularly in Ebsco. While other web PDFs open without problems, embedded PDFs in the library’s databases may not display properly.

Getting Started

This issue is specific to Google Chrome. PDFs within library databases typically work fine with Firefox and Internet Explorer. However, Chrome users can resolve the issue by changing their PDF viewer settings or create an Ebsco account. 

Disable Chrome PDF Viewer and Enable Adobe Reader

Follow these steps to switch the PDF viewer in Chrome:

  • Type chrome://plugins/ into the Chrome address bar.
  • Scroll down to the "Chrome PDF Viewer" section and click "Disable."
  • Scroll up to the "Adobe Reader" section and click "Enable."

Once these steps are completed, PDFs should open correctly in library databases without requiring a browser restart.

Log Into an Ebsco Account

If the issue persists, students can create and log into an Ebsco account.

Additional Details

If neither fix resolves the issue, consider using an alternative browser like Firefox or Edge, as they do not typically experience this problem.

Resources

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