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Help Me Cite - MLA: Digital Books

General Guide for MLA Citation

General

Citing Online Books & E-books

Online Books and eBooks: Not Quite the Same Thing

MLA differentiates between online books and eBooks:

  • Online book: a book with a URL that you can access on a website or database like Project Gutenberg, Google Books, ProQuest Ebook Central, EBSCOhost eBooks, Early English Books Online, etc.
  • E-book: "a book that lacks a URL and that you use software or APP to read on a personal device or computer" (MLA Style Center FAQ); includes Kindle, EPUB, Nook editions, SORA. OverDrive, etc.

Each is cited somewhat differently, although the core style elements still provide the basis for your citations.

From Washington State University- Citing eBooks and Online Books

Online Books

An Online book is a book with a URL that you can access on a website or database like Project Gutenberg, Google Books, ProQuest Ebook Central, EBSCOhost eBooks, Early English Books Online, etc.

 

eBooks

An E-book is "a book that lacks a URL and that you use software to read on a personal device or computer" (MLA Style Center FAQ).  This includes books that one reads using a Kindle, EPUB, Nook, or SORA etc.