Concordia University Bookstore

About e-books

WE ARE OFFERING EBOOKS AS AN ALTERNATIVE TO THE PHYSICAL TEXT FOR SELECT COURSES.

The e-books we have available are compatable with a proprietary reader and supporting software called the "Vitalsource Bookshelf." Vitalsource is compatable with both PC and Mac, and is very similar to an "iTunes" for e-books - it contains and organizes your library as well as having a reader program with added features such as highlighting and adding notes to your books. These e-books are not compatable with portable devices like the Kindle, though your entire Vitalsource library of titles can be installed on more than one computer.

If you are using a Concordia student laptop, Vitalsource should already be pre-installed on your computer. Anyone on their own computer (or a CSP-owned computer that doesn't have it) will be provided a free download with your first e-book purchase. From that point forward, any e-books you purchase can simply be added to your existing library with no further software installations needed.

E-books can be purchased either in the store or online. We lack the technology at this time to deliver your ebook by direct download; if you order online we'll mail you a card with your download information and access codes.

MINIMUM SYSTEM REQUIREMENTS FOR VITALSOURCE:

Apple Mac OS X 10.4 or Microsoft Windows XP (Service pack 2 or higher).

1.0 gHz processor
Ethernet port, Internet access, and online registration required.
1024x768 screen resolution or larger.
512 MB of RAM

IF YOU'RE WONDERING IF AN EBOOK IS RIGHT FOR YOU, HERE ARE SOME PROS AND CONS TO CONSIDER:

e-Books save you money up front. What you pay for an e-book is less than the cost of the text.
e-Books CANNOT be sold at buyback. Though the initial cost of an e-book is less, you won't get money back for them like you would a textbook.
e-Books are a "green" alternative-by viewing your books electronically, you are saving paper.
e-Books offer you the convenience of not having to carry around a heavy textbook and offer features such as highlighting and notetaking.
e-Books are NOT returnable once they have been activated.
Some e-books have 180 or 360 day expiration dates.
e-Books can be printed, but some have print limits.

Checkout

Site Links: