eText: Technical Requirements

Access to your eText is provided through VitalSource Technologies. Once you have created a VitalSource Bookshelf® account, they provide a number of options for you to read your eText both online (Bookshelf® Online) and offline (Bookshelf® Downloadable or one of the Bookshelf® Mobile apps).

It is strongly recommended that you download your eText.

To see the technical requirements for the computer or mobile device on which you wish to view your eText, click on the appropriate links below.

Bookshelf® Online

Supported Platforms:

  • Windows
  • Mac OS X

Supported Browsers:

  • Firefox
  • Safari
  • Google Chrome
  • Microsoft IE (not recommended)

In general VitalSource will support two versions of a Web Browser; the current version and one back. Browser support will be reviewed and updated every six months.

Please note that depending on the file provided by the publishers, some browsers may work better than others. For assistance, please contact the IT Help Desk or, if you are an undergraduate business student, please contact the Student Support Centre.

See Bookshelf Online for a current list of supported browser versions.

Limited Support:

VitalSource provides limited support for all Tablet and Smartphone browsers. However, they do not recommend that you use Bookshelf® Online on your mobile device. Instead, users should install the appropriate Bookshelf® Mobile app (for iOS, Android, or Kindle Fire). 

Bookshelf® Downloadable for PC (Windows) or Mac:

Please see Bookshelf for Mac and PC for a list of the software and hardware requirements.

Note: Once you have installed Bookshelf® Downloadable, you will require an internet connection to download your eTextbooks. Once downloaded, you will be able to read your eText offline.

Bookshelf® Mobile for iOS (iPad/iPhone/iPod Touch)

Please see Bookshelf for iOS for version and system requirements.

You will also need a valid Apple ID in order to download the Bookshelf® iOS app from the App Store.

Bookshelf® Mobile for Android and Kindle Fire

VitalSource Bookshelf® is supported in the latest versions of Android and Kindle Fire. Please see Bookshelf for Android and Kindle Fire for version and system requirements.

Note: VitalSource Bookshelf® for Android will not work on the Barnes & Noble Nook.

You will also need a valid Google Play account in order to download the app from the Google Play market.

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