Question 1

What is an eTextbook?

Accepted Answer

An eTextbook is a digital, downloadable version of a printed paper textbook. eTextbooks have become a more affordable and practical option over the heavy and more expensive printed textbooks. eTextbook readers have interactive features that allow for a more engaging reading experience than with print textbooks.

Question 2

How do I access my eTextbook after purchase?

Accepted Answer

Your eTextbooks are available immediately to you following your purchase. If you have purchased on vitalsource.com, you can access your books by clicking Read Now on the Order Confirmation page or by visiting the Bookshelf site. You may access your books through Bookshelf online without downloading the Bookshelf application if you have an internet connection. If you wish to access your books offline, you will need to download the Bookshelf application. Note that your login/account for VitalSource.com will be used to access your books in Bookshelf, you should not create a separate account.

Question 3

What devices can I read an eTextbook on?

Accepted Answer

Read your textbooks on any computer, tablet or mobile phone. VitalSource Bookshelf is compatible with both Macs and PCs as well as iOS, Android, Kindle Fire, and Chromebook devices.

Question 4

Can I access my eTextbook on more than one device?

Accepted Answer

Yes. You will be able to download and access your eTextbook onto 2 computers AND 2 mobile devices using the Bookshelf app.

Question 5

Can I print my eTextbook?

Accepted Answer

Restrictions around the use of copy &amp; paste and printing are set by the publisher on a title by title basis. You can view the restrictions on the Product Details page for the title purchased.

Question 6

Do I have to be connected to the internet to read my eTextbook?

Accepted Answer

No. You can access 100% of your eTextbooks without an internet connection. To access your eTextbooks offline, you will need to download the Bookshelf app onto your computer, tablet or mobile device. To download Bookshelf, visit the Support Site.

Question 7

What is the difference between an ePub and a PDF?

Accepted Answer

There are two different types of electronic textbooks sold in the VitalSource Bookstore: Reflowable Text VitalBooks and Page-Fidelity VitalBooks. Reflowable Textbook (EPUB)Reflowable textbooks do not maintain the layout of a traditional bound book. The text is responsive, so the font size can be easily adjusted no matter the size of the screen. These books conform to EPUB 3 industry standards. Page-Fidelity Textbook (PDF)The Page-Fidelity textbook maintains the look and feel of a bound book—the text is fixed and the screen size determines the size of the text. Both types of eBooks support a wide range of features, including but not limited to: notes, highlights, text to speech, printing, syncing across devices, and more. Information about the book's format is available on the Product Details page for that title in the vitalsource.com store. You may locate a title using our global search feature.

Question 8

What is your return policy?

Accepted Answer

You may cancel your VitalSource eTextbook purchase and request an immediate refund within 14 days of your initial purchase (some exclusions apply), provided that: You have not viewed and/or printed, in total, more than twenty percent (20%) of the VitalSource eTextbook. You have not yet used the access code for any online resource that may be included with your eTextbook purchase. If you purchase a VitalSource eTextbook, request a refund, and then purchase the same VitalSource eTextbook again, you will not be eligible to request any further refunds for that eTextbook. To learn more about refunds for eResources, visit our Support Site. To learn more about how to refund a purchase, visit our Support Site.

Question 9

Why do I have to create a VitalSource account to purchase an eTextbook?

Accepted Answer

Your VitalSource account credentials will be used to log into Bookshelf to access your purchased eTextbooks. Note that you do not need to create a separate Bookshelf account to access your book(s). If you do create a separate account, you will need to contact Customer Support to have your accounts merged.

Question 10

Can I purchase an eTextbook if I live outside the US?

Accepted Answer

VitalSource.com allows users in the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and South Africa to purchase VitalSource eTextbooks. Note that your region is determined by the billing address of your credit card. Please select the applicable store for your country by clicking on the flag icon in the upper right hand corner. Note: Canadian customers may purchase from our US or CA stores. Some content in the US store may be restricted for sale to customers with Canadian billing addresses.

Question 11

Do I have to pay sales tax on an eTextbook?

Accepted Answer

It depends on the tax laws from the country of your billing address. Note that sales tax in the US and GST/HST in Canada will be applied during checkout after your billing address is provided. In Australia, South Africa and the United Kingdom, the GST or VAT is included in the price displayed on the product details page, no additional tax will be applied at checkout. US - The amount of sales tax charged will vary from state to state depending on that state's digital goods tax laws. Not all states apply a sales tax to digital goods and the sales tax rates of those that do will vary by state. Canada – GST/HST will be applied based on the rate in force in the Province of your billing address. The tax rate will be between 5% and 15%. If there is a Provincial sales tax rather than HST, the Provincial sales tax will be applied in addition to the GST if the Provincial rate applies to digital goods. Our Canadian GST number is 788017119RT0001. Australia – GST will be applied at the rate of 10%. Our Australian ARN is 300009028961. United Kingdom – VAT will be applied at the rate of 0% as of May 1, 2020 per HMRC guidelines under the EU MOSS system. Our VAT number is EU826012896. South Africa – VAT will be applied at the rate of 15%. Our VAT number is 4080281431. Ireland - VAT will be applied at the rate of 9%. Our VAT number is EU826012896. Germany - VAT will be applied at the rate of 7%. Our VAT number is EU826012896. Saudi Arabia - VAT will be applied at the rate of 5%. Our VAT number is 310421739300003.

Question 12

Can I extend my eTextbook rental?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, extensions are not available for eTextbook rentals. If you wish to have access to your eTextbook longer, you need to re-rent it by reordering the eTextbook.

Question 13

Who do I contact for technical and account support issues with VitalSource and/or Bookshelf?

Accepted Answer

VitalSource Customer Support is available 24/7 year-round to accommodate your schedule. In the US/Canada, please call: 1-855-200-4146In the UK, please call: +44 800 802 1506In Australia, please call: +61 8 7111 3343 In South Africa, please call: +27 87 550 4494In Ireland, please call: +353 76 888 6559

Question 14

How do I redeem a code?

Accepted Answer

Often, when purchasing a book from a third party, you will be provided with a 20-character registration code. These can be redeemed directly into Bookshelf Online. Please note that codes longer or shorter than 20 characters are not VitalSource redemption codes, and will need to be redeemed with the publisher/bookseller first.

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