Want to read your digital textbooks without
an internet connection?
With the VitalSource Bookshelf desktop app,
you can download your textbooks to your computer
and access them offline.
Follow the steps below to install Bookshelf
on your Windows or Mac computer
and download your textbooks for offline reading.
What Is VitalSource Bookshelf?
VitalSource Bookshelf is a digital reading application that allows
you to access your course textbooks
from your computer or mobile device.
With the desktop app, you can download
available textbooks, read offline,
highlight important information,
and take notes while studying.
Step 1: Download the Bookshelf Desktop App
First, download the official Bookshelf
application for your computer.
- Visit the official VitalSource Bookshelf download page using the button below.
- Locate the download option for your device: Mac or PC (Windows).
- Select the appropriate download option.
- Follow the instructions to download
the application to your computer.
Good to know: The Bookshelf application is available
for both Windows and Mac computers.
Be sure to select the version
compatible with your device.
Step 2: Install VitalSource Bookshelf
After downloading the application,
follow the installation instructions
for your operating system.
For Windows Users
- Open the Microsoft Store using the link provided
on the VitalSource download page.
- Select Get or Install to install Bookshelf.
- Once installation is complete,
open the Bookshelf app.
For Mac Users
- Select the Mac download option on the VitalSource website.
- Open the downloaded installer
and follow the installation instructions.
- Once installation is complete,
open VitalSource Bookshelf from your Applications folder.
Step 3: Sign In to Your Bookshelf Account
Once the application is installed,
you'll need to access your VitalSource Bookshelf account.
- Open the Bookshelf desktop app.
- Follow the sign-in instructions
displayed on your screen.
- If you already have a VitalSource account,
use the same account associated with
your university textbooks.
- Once signed in, open your Bookshelf library to view your available textbooks.
Good to know: If you normally access your textbook
through LearnCenter, you may need
to open the textbook there first
and follow VitalSource's instructions
for signing in to the desktop app.
Step 4: Download Your Textbooks for Offline Access
After signing in, you can download
your available textbooks to your computer.
- Make sure your computer is connected to the internet.
- Open your Bookshelf library.
- Locate the textbook you want
to download.
- Hover your cursor over the book cover
and select Download Book.
- Allow the download to finish.
- Once downloaded, your textbook
will be available for offline reading
within the Bookshelf application.
Good to know: A small checkmark may appear
on the book cover after the
download is complete,
indicating that it is
available on your device.
Step 5: Read Your Books Offline
Once your textbook has finished downloading,
you can read it without an internet connection.
- Open the VitalSource Bookshelf desktop app.
- Locate the textbook you've downloaded.
- Open the book to begin reading,
highlighting, and taking notes offline.
Important: An internet connection is required
to install Bookshelf and download
your textbooks initially.
If you make notes or highlights offline,
reconnect to the internet later
to synchronize your changes
across your devices.
What If I Cannot Download or Access My Books?
If you're experiencing problems
with the Bookshelf desktop app,
try the following:
- Check your internet connection. You must be online to download
your textbooks initially.
- Verify your Bookshelf account. Make sure you're using the same account
associated with your textbooks.
- Open your textbook through LearnCenter. If your book is missing, try opening it
directly from your course first.
- Update your library. If the option is available,
select Update Library to refresh your available titles.
- Restart Bookshelf. Close and reopen the application,
then check your library again.
- Contact Student Support. If the issue continues,
our team can help investigate.
Additional VitalSource Resources
For additional installation instructions
or help using the Bookshelf application,
visit the official VitalSource website.
Still Need Help?
If you're still having trouble installing
VitalSource Bookshelf or downloading
your textbooks for offline access,
our Student Support team is here to help!
What to Include When Contacting Support
To help us assist you faster, please provide:
- Your course name or course code
- Whether you're using Windows or Mac
- The title of the affected textbook
- A brief description of the issue
- A screenshot of any error messages,
if available