VitalSource eTextbooks & Vital Source Bookshelf
Getting Started Instructions
What is a VitalSource eTextbook?
A VitalSource eTextbook is a digital version of a textbook. Using VitalSource eTextbooks ensures that your digital textbook is an exact match to the physical version of the textbook. VitalSource eTextbooks can be downloaded to many devices for use on or off line.
What is the VitalSource Bookshelf?
The VitalSoruce Bookshelf is where your all of your eTextbooks will be stored on your PC or Mac. The VitalSource Bookshelf is a free download.
How do you get started with the VitalSource Bookshelf?
1. Download the VitalSource Bookshelf at http://www.vitalsource.com/download
§ Choose your platform (PC or Mac) then click Download Now!
§ Follow the prompts to install. Once installation is complete, launch Bookshelf.
2. When download and installation in complete, open the VitalSource bookshelf from your desktop and click the “Register” button on the Welcome page and register for an account with VitalSource.
I have downloaded the VitalSource Bookshelf, how do I find my textbook?
OPTION 1
If you purchased an access code from the ERAU Worldwide bookstore, you will redeem that code from within your VitalSource bookshelf. From the selection bar at the top of your bookshelf, click the “Account” button then select “Redeem Code”.
Your textbook will begin downloading into your bookshelf immediately.
OPTION 2
If you choose to purchase your textbooks with a major credit card, you can do so from the VitalSource Store. You can access the store from within your bookshelf or link directly to it at https://store.vitalsource.com/. Sign into the store with your VitalSource account credentials you established after downloading the VitalSource bookshelf.
IMPORTANT: Search for your textbook by the textbook’s ISBN. The textbook (and therefore ISBN) is different for every course. Determine your textbook’s ISBN by selecting the dropdown for your course on the ERAU eTextbook Web Portal page. http://www.pearsoncustom.com/fl/erau_etextbooks/
After you have found your book, added it your cart and checked out of the store, you will receive an email that will contain a link. Upon clicking that link, your textbook will be added to your VitalSource bookshelf.
VitalSource eTextook Usability
Using Bookshelf: Basics
· Click the All Titles icon and all titles list in the center windowpane, listed alphabetically, in ascending order, by authors’ last names. Click Author at the top of the windowpane to sort in descending order. To sort by title, click Title at the top of the windowpane. Click Title again and the list will re-sort in descending order. The number of titles in the selected collection or folder appears at the bottom of the center windowpane.
· Click arrowheads 4 to un-nest collections.
· Click a collection and the titles within that collection appear in the center windowpane.
· Click the title to download a book.
· Click a downloaded book title and its table of contents appears in the right windowpane.
· Double click a title or chapter to open a book.
Search All Titles
Basic
· Click “All Titles” and enter a search term in the Bookshelf window Search field to produce search results from every title in the entire HP Library.
· Results are enumerated in the center windowpane.
· Click any one title to see that title’s results described in Inside Book, in the right windowpane.
· Double click a result and the book will open to that location. Search terms are highlighted.
Advanced
· Click the magnifying glass icon in the search field in the Bookshelf Window and select Advanced Search.
· Define the criteria and click the Search button.
· Results are enumerated in the center windowpane.
Search within a Book Window
· Double click a book title in the center windowpane to open a book.
· Enter a search term in the book window’s Search field, located above the navigation pane. Search results are listed in the navigation windowpane.
· Click a result to go to the location within the book.
Exact Phrase Matching
In the Bookshelf window or in a book window: Refine a search to specific phrases by placing quotation marks around a phrase in the Search field.
Highlights and Notes
In the File menu, select New Highlighter. A colored box will appear below the Downloads icon in the left windowpane. Name the highlighter (e.g., exam, class discussion, etc.).
Highlight Text
In an open book, select a portion of text to highlight and click on the highlight icon in the book toolbar.
Write a Note
Select the text. Select your highlighter from the drop down menu. Select Make Note. A note window will pop up. Write the note. Your notes are saved and appear in the book’s Notes tab.
System Requirements & Portability Options
Minimum System Requirements for VitalSource Bookshelf (PC or Mac):
Software
§ Apple Mac OX X 10.4 or Microsoft Windows XP
§ Windows XP with service pack 2 or higher
Hardware
§ Apple Macintosh with 1 GHz Power PC G4, or Windows compatible hardware with 1 GHz processor or faster
§ Ethernet port, Internet access
§ 1024 x 768 screen resolution or larger
§ 512 MB of RAM or greater
Mobile Devices
iPhone, iPad
· Apps are available in the iTunes store.
· Search for “VitalSource Bookshelf”.
· Download is free.
· Access your titles by downloading app and signing in with your VitalSource account.
Android Devices
· Apps are available in the Google Play store.
· Search for “VitalSource Bookshelf”.
· Download is free.
· Access your titles by downloading app and signing in with your VitalSource account.
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