63 What You Can Do with Pressbooks
Pressbooks is online software that enables you to design and format any kind of book, and share it in multiple formats, including:
- PDF: for reading on a digital device or printing
- EPUB: for Apple iBooks, Nook, Kobo, Kindle and most other ebook platforms
- Webbook: for reading on a digital device in your browser
Pressbooks is used by independent authors, small and medium-sized publishers, and educational institutions around the world. All book formats are produced using templates that are optimized to look great in a wide variety of shapes and sizes. File exports produced with Pressbooks can be exported and downloaded from Pressbooks and distributed or shared however you like. The advantages of Pressbooks include:
- A simple, familiar interface
- Professionally-designed book files, without complex software
- Unlimited ability to edit, update, and (re)export books
- Ability to collaborate with other authors and editors
- A variety of book formats
- Complete control over your own content
What is a “webbook”?
Pressbooks webbooks are website versions of your book that can be distributed for free to the public. Many use Pressbooks webbooks to produce and distribute open educational resources (OER). Unlike PDFs and ebooks, webbooks are a live version of your book that doesn’t need to be exported or downloaded.
Pressbooks produces a web version of every book. You can view yours at any time by clicking the Visit Book link underneath the title of your book in the top menu. However, your Pressbooks webbook is Private until you change the Global Privacy Setting to Public.
How to access Pressbooks
- If you work at one Sask Polytechnic, U of R, or USask, please contact the appropriate administrator. Please also contact them for information on students accessing books for the purpose of editing them through your learning management system (LMS). Students do not need accounts to view books.
- If you work at any other post-secondary institution in Saskatchewan, please contact the Pressbooks administrator at USask
- You do not need an account to read an existing Pressbook, but would require an account to create and edit a book.
Everyone else
If you are at a post-secondary institution outside of Saskatchewan, you may be able to access Pressbooks through your local institution or regional organization. Review this list of Pressbooks Catalogues to see if there is a Pressbooks instance available for you.
The Rebus Community also provides Pressbooks access to faculty and staff from post-secondary institutions around the globe, provided they are a Rebus member. To join, create a Rebus Community account and fill out the Rebus Community Press – Request for Access form.
Lastly, individual accounts are available one a subscription basis through Pressbooks.com. See Pressbooks Plans and Pricing.
