What You'll Learn
- What is actually changing with the move to Readium LCP and what remains exactly the same in your current workflows.
- What practical steps, if any, your library should take before the April–May 2026 migration.
- How the patron offline download experience will differ with Thorium Reader.
- Why adopting a standards-based, accessibility-forward DRM model strengthens long-term sustainability for libraries.
- For most libraries, this transition modernizes the small percentage of full book download use while preserving the workflows that drive the vast majority of eBook access.
LCP DRM for EBSCO eBooks: Your Top Questions Answered
EBSCO is transitioning EBSCO eBooks to a new DRM solution called Readium Licensed Content Protection, or LCP. Developed and maintained by EDRLab, a nonprofit organization focused on open standards and accessibility, LCP modernizes the full book download experience while maintaining continuity across the library workflows you rely on every day.
On January 29th, we hosted a webinar to walk through this transition and discuss what it means in practice. We appreciated the thoughtful questions and engagement from the library community. Many of the questions centered on the same core themes: What is changing? What stays the same? What do we need to do?
Below is a high-level summary of those themes and answers.
For detailed technical documentation, screenshots, migration instructions, and device compatibility guidance, please visit the full LCP DRM FAQ on EBSCO Connect.
What Is Actually Changing?
The transition to LCP affects the DRM-protected full book download workflow only.
For patrons who download full books for offline reading:
• Adobe Digital Editions will be replaced by Thorium Reader
• A one-time passphrase will be used to activate downloaded titles
• No Adobe ID account will be required
This update modernizes the offline reading experience while aligning with current accessibility expectations and open standards. For most libraries, full book downloads account for ~5% of e-book access.
What Is Not Changing?
Just as important as what is changing is what is not.
There are no changes to:
• Online reading in the EBSCO eBooks browser-based viewer
• Chapter downloads, which remain DRM-free PDFs
• DRM-free full book downloads
• MARC records
• ILS integrations
• End user authentication and personalization requirements
• EBSCO eBook Manager administrative controls
Libraries will continue managing collections, discovery, and user access as they do today.
What Do Libraries Need to Do?
For many libraries, little or no action will be required, particularly if full book downloads are already disabled or if existing workflows will remain unchanged.
Libraries that currently allow DRM-protected full book downloads should consider three practical steps:
• Confirm download settings in EBSCO eBook Manager
• Begin IT review of Thorium Reader if institutional approval is required
• Update public documentation that references Adobe Digital Editions
If additional internal preparation time is needed, libraries may disable full book downloads temporarily and re-enable them when ready.
Step-by-step instructions and technical specifications are available on EBSCO Connect.
What Will Patrons Experience?
Patrons who download DRM-protected full books will install Thorium Reader for offline reading.
They will:
• Continue using their MyEBSCO account for full book downloads
• Be able to access titles on up to six devices (as today)
Patrons who read EBSCO eBooks online in the browser or download individual chapters will see no change.
Thorium Reader includes accessible reading features such as adjustable display settings, text-to-speech functionality, annotations, and bookmarking. A full feature breakdown and supported device list is available on EBSCO Connect.
How Does Migration Work?
Libraries are transitioning to LCP in April and May 2026 as part of the scheduled rollout. Institutions retain control over full book download settings in EBSCO eBook Manager.
European Union customers regain control of download settings prior to migration and may enable downloads when ready.
Libraries continue to manage download preferences directly within EBSCO eBook Manager and may adjust settings at any time based on internal workflows.
Complete migration details, configuration guidance, and technical documentation are available on EBSCO Connect.
Why This Transition Matters
LCP adheres to ISO standards for secure and accessible digital content and aligns with EAA and ADA Title II accessibility requirements.
By moving to a standards-based DRM framework governed by a nonprofit organization, EBSCO supports:
• Long-term interoperability
• Accessibility-forward design
• Reduced dependency on proprietary account structures
• Sustainable digital delivery
Our goal is to modernize the offline download experience while preserving the stability and workflows libraries depend on.
Where to Find Full Documentation
This post provides a high-level overview of the most common webinar questions. For comprehensive FAQs, screenshots, accessibility documentation, migration timelines, testing files, and device compatibility details, please visit EBSCO Connect.
