I also get access to Knovel through my Institution, but you can apply for a free evaluation period, and I am aware of many engineering students who have accessed Knovel this way in order to download a number of reference titles such as:-
Finite Element Method 5th Edition vol 1,2 & 3
Machinery's Handbook V26 & V27
Roark's Formulas for Stress & Strain V7
Standard Handbook of Machine Design
Strength of Materials & Structures
to name a few.
In these days of broadband access, downloading these classic titles takes very little time, but can be used for a very long time as a reference in an engineering career.