How do I access and use VitalSource ebooks

When you land on the VitalSource Bookshelf page, you will be prompted to choose to enter via:

• Register and get started – for new users
• Login for existing user.

Note: First-time users should use only their University of Notre Dame email address to register for an account – personal email addresses using Gmail, Hotmail etc. accounts will not be validated for access.

Registration

• Once you have finished with the details for your account, you will receive an email to validate your account.
• Check your university mailbox. If you do not receive an email from VitalSource, please check your Junk Mail.
• Activate your account using the link given inside that email.

VitalSource Account

• Once signed in to your Bookshelf account, you now have full access to your Bookshelf Library.

Borrowing

Click 'Explore' to view all the eBooks that are under the Library's subscription. User can use the search engine to search for titles (more tips on keywords and phrase). Click ‘Borrow’ and the eBook availability and details will appear on your right screen.

NOTE : VitalSource ebooks have access for 1 User - if the book is being used you will see a "not available" message.
 

Recommended steps for best access and to enable others to view VitalSource eBooks:

• Open/borrow the eBook
• Print the required pages
• Return the book by:
  • clicking the back to library (left pointing arrow) in the top left
  • selecting return next to the book cover image
     

Availability of the eBook

• Click ‘Borrow’ to activate the eBook to your personal VitalSource Library
• Left hand pane will display the number of Available copies 
• If all copies are in use you will see Unavailable and will need to check back later

Open and Read the eBook

• Click ‘Library’
• Borrowed eBook(s) is now available in your personal Library.

View the eBook

• The ebook cover will be displayed, indicating that the eBook is now ready for you to read.
• For eBooks with several chapters, scroll down to view the Table of Contents.
• Click on the link to any of the preferred chapter(s).
• Navigate through pages in the online viewer by clicking the wide arrow icons that appear at the top and bottom or left and right of the page.

• If you know the page that you need, type it into the page entry field on the bottom left. You can bookmark a page and return to it later using the bookmark feature. You can also move the scrapper bar back and forth to navigate the page.

eBook Return

• Your eBook will automatically expire in accordance to its loan access period
• You will see expiration time and an option to borrow again (if there is an available copy)

Please return the eBook before the access expires to free up the borrowing for other users by clicking on the Return button in your personal library.
 

You can use the navigation bar on the left side of the page to navigate your Bookshelf account.

1. The Home icon will take you back to your personal Library.
2. The Table of Contents icon will show you a list of chapters to navigate your eBook.
3. The Search icon will let you search a term in the entire eBook content.
4. The Notebook icon will display notes you have taken in your eBook so far, which can be done by highlighting text passages with your mouse and adding notes. Select the chapters you want to review, then click Start Review.
5. The Figures icon shows you the content of the figure in the eBook.
6. The Flashcard icon allows you to create your flashcards by highlight a word or sentence and add to the flashcard.