Home Improved Reading of Free E-Books, As The Open Library Launches a New E-Reader

Improved Reading of Free E-Books, As The Open Library Launches a New E-Reader

The Open Library, an initiative of the Internet Archive, has just launched a new version of its online e-book reader, featuring an improved user interface as well as other new tools. You can use it to read the more than 2 million books available via The Open Library and the Internet Archive.

As you search for books to read on the site, you’ll now find a link to “read the item online.” This will launch the redesigned reader, although you’ll still have the options to download the books, read in other formats, or send to your Kindle.

The updated e-reader has a number of new features, including a larger interface, that serve for better readability. In addition, the navigation bar has been improved to help find chapter and page markers, and full-text searches show up there as well.

There is also a “Read Aloud” feature that will work in most browsers, with text-to-speech capabilities.

While web-based, the e-reader does have support for devices like the iPad, including touch gesture support so you can flip pages and pinch-to-zoom.

And – my favorite feature, I think – it also boasts better sharing options, so you can not only link to a particular text but can embed the book (when rights allow) on a website.

The Open Library’s e-reader is open source and looks to be a great way to read openly-licensed, DRM-free e-books.

About ReadWrite’s Editorial Process

The ReadWrite Editorial policy involves closely monitoring the tech industry for major developments, new product launches, AI breakthroughs, video game releases and other newsworthy events. Editors assign relevant stories to staff writers or freelance contributors with expertise in each particular topic area. Before publication, articles go through a rigorous round of editing for accuracy, clarity, and to ensure adherence to ReadWrite's style guidelines.

Get the biggest tech headlines of the day delivered to your inbox

    By signing up, you agree to our Terms and Privacy Policy. Unsubscribe anytime.

    Tech News

    Explore the latest in tech with our Tech News. We cut through the noise for concise, relevant updates, keeping you informed about the rapidly evolving tech landscape with curated content that separates signal from noise.

    In-Depth Tech Stories

    Explore tech impact in In-Depth Stories. Narrative data journalism offers comprehensive analyses, revealing stories behind data. Understand industry trends for a deeper perspective on tech's intricate relationships with society.

    Expert Reviews

    Empower decisions with Expert Reviews, merging industry expertise and insightful analysis. Delve into tech intricacies, get the best deals, and stay ahead with our trustworthy guide to navigating the ever-changing tech market.