How to Download Internet Archive to PDF, Epub with no DRM

The Internet Archive’s Open Library is one of the best places to borrow digital books for free. But many readers still wonder: Can I download Internet Archive books as PDF or EPUB? The short answer: Yes — but only with the correct borrowing method, file formats, and tools.

This guide walks you through:

1. How to borrow books from Internet Archive / Open Library

2. How to download LCPL files to your computer

3. How to convert Internet Archive LCPL loans to PDF/EPUB

4. How DRM works on Internet Archive loans (and what you can and cannot remove)

1. How to Borrow Books From the Internet Archive Open Library

Method 1. Borrow and read online (no download)

If “Print Disability Acess” is the only option, the book cannot be downloaded. This book can only be read online. These are usually controlled digital lending (CDL) titles.

read online

Method 2. Borrow Internet Archive for 14 Days

These titles download as .acsm or .lcpl files — these are license files that must be opened in Adobe Digital Editions (ADE) or Thorium.

Step 1. Create a free Internet Archive/Open Library account.

Step 2. Search for the book you want and click "Borrow". Then click "Borrow for 14 days".

borrow from internet archive

2. How to Download Internet Archive LCPL Files

Once you've borrowed the Internet Archive books, scroll down to find the download option. Nowadays, the most Internet Archive books have two options "LCP" pdf and "LCP" ePUB.

download option of internet archive

When you choose the “LCP PDF/EPUB” option, you will get a file like: "bookname.lcpl".

For older system, you will get "bookname.acsm". For the acsm books, you can follow this guide download acsm to epub or pdf, and convert acsm to pdf or epub and remove drm.

Here I will spend more time on download Internet Archive LCPL files.

Note:

LCPL = License Content Protection License (used by Readium LCP)

3. How to Convert LCPL to PDF or EPUB

To convert an LCPL file, you must first download the actual book inside it using Thorium.

Step 1: Download and install Thorium.

Step 2: Drag lcpl files to Thorium. The real content of this book will be downloaded.

Step 3: Clcik the three dots (more action) to show more options, here choose "Save as". You books will be exported as "book.lcpdf" or "book.epub" .

save as lcpdf

4. How to Remove DRM from Internet Archive Files

To remove drm from Internet Archive books, try Sososofty Archive Mate. It can remove drm from Internet Archive lcpdf and epub.

Step 1. Download and install Sososofty Internet Archive.

Step 2. Launch Archive mate and input your passphrase. The passphrase should be your Internet Archive email address.

Step 3. Drag the Internet Archive lcpdf and epub to Archive mate, and then click "Start Conversion".

Your lcpdf will be converted to pdf or epub with no drm.

convert archive to pdf no drm

Final Thoughts

Downloading Internet Archive books as PDF or EPUB is possible, but the process depends on:

Whether the book is downloadable (not all are, some of them only have the "read online" option)
Whether the loan uses ACSM, or LCPL
Whether you can remove or bypass the DRM for personal reading

Once the DRM is removed, the book becomes a normal PDF or EPUB that can be read on: Kindle, Kobo, PocketBook, Calibre, or Any eReading app.