I Bought a VitalSource eBook from the Online Bookstore. Now What?
VitalSource is a platform for reading digital texts. Most ebooks on the online bookstore website will be filled through VitalSource. Check your student email account for access information. Emails are sent from TextbookX.com.
The online bookstore will also list access instructions and any redemption codes in your eLibrary account.
To Visit the eLibrary:
1. Log into the online bookstore with your school account.
2. Click on your username at the top right and then select "eLibrary".
3. Review access details for each item you have access to.
Note: Most ebook access is sent soon after orders are placed, but some may take longer. Check your online bookstore account to see whether an item is pending fulfillment.
Accessing materials: Students access VS texts for the first time through your online bookstore eLibrary by clicking "Read Now." This will take you to VitalSource where you will either create a new account or log into your existing account if you already have one. Once logged in, the text appears on your VS Bookshelf. Links may also be available through your LMS account.
Troubleshooting: If accessing Bookshelf via a mobile device, the first access code in the eLibrary is NOT the code to their course. Students must click on the redemption link under the first access code in the eLibrary in order to get the second code for their course. Once logged in, the text appears on the VS Bookshelf, or the redemption code will become available to apply for course access within your school's LMS (ie: Canvas, Blackboard) or on the publisher's website.
SPECIAL CASES: Sometimes publisher courseware is delivered through VS. When this is set up, you must follow a two-step verification process to access your courseware. You first go to VS to reveal a code and then go to the publisher website to access the materials.
- VitalSource Features: Get instant access to your eTextbook PLUS a full suite of study tools on any device - Both online and offline!
- Anytime Access: Download titles and study on the go with 100% offline access
- Workbook: Improve focus, edit notes, add bookmarks and review key concepts.
- Margin Notes: Take Annotation in line as your are reading.
- Global Search: Search across book contents and your workbook.
- Read-Aloud: Listen and follow along as Bookshelf reads to you.
- Coach Me: Prepare, Practice and focus with this new feature that tests your knowledge with questions and answers located throughout compatible materials.
How do I download or print a PDF copy of my book?
All VitalSource digital material is in a DRM (Digital Rights Management) protected format, meeting our partnering publishers' requirements. The DRM is to protect the copyright.
It is against our Terms of Use to use or attempt to use any third-party software to extract/export/download a PDF or any other file format of any eTextBook provided through any of the VitalSource platforms such as Bookshelf.
Our Terms of Use outlines this requirement by our partnering publishers, and when you agree to those Terms of Use on the creation of your account, you are stating you understand our Terms of Use around this process.
VitalSource eTextBooks can only be downloaded and accessed through the free Bookshelf application found at the following link:
Downloadable Bookshelf Application
Please note that you also have the option of accessing your digital material via Bookshelf Online from the following link:
Published Date: