How do I create a link to a Vital Source eTextbook in my Blackboard course?
- Mariann Hawken
- William Schneider
- Andrea Mocko
VitalSource e-textbooks can be accessed through Blackboard courses, the My Blackboard dashboard, or an individual device if the eTextbook has been downloaded by the user. The VitalSource platform is part of the UMBC Bookstore Course Materials Initiative. Learn more about the program:
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Click on Tools -> Bookshelf by VitalSource.
If you do not see the Bookshelf tool, go to Customization -> Tool Availability and make sure it is turned on for your course.
You will need to synchronize your VitalSource account to your Blackboard account. If you do not have an existing VitalSource account (formerly CourseSmart), you will need to create one.
At the next screen, click Adopt New eTextbooks
Search for your eTextbook by title, author, ISBN or course tag.
TIP: The best way to identify your textbook is ISBN.
Click GO to initiate the search.
Click the SELECT button under the title of the eTextbook you wish to adopt to choose the eTextbook.
Click ADOPT in the lower right corner.
Select the location in your course where the eTextbook should reside. Most of the time, you will already be in the content area where you want the eTextbook link to be (for example, Course Information, Syllabus, Course Documents, etc.)
Click SUBMIT.
The eTextbook will now appear in the content area within your Blackboard course shell. It is identified by an orange icon of a textbook in a circle. Individual chapter icons are also orange, but the textbook will be open.
