eBooks can be purchased online or in-store, however we recommend purchasing online for faster delivery.

If a book is available as an eBook, it will be an option under the "Buy" button and will appear after you click "Buy". The access period will be listed in the title, such as "180 day access" or "Lifetime access". 

VitalSource and RedShelf are two of the digital providers we sell titles from. Some titles are only sold by one provider, but if you are choosing between the two, you can compare prices as they may vary.

If ordered online, you will receive an email shortly after the purchase with a link. The link will either prompt you to create and account or prompt you to login, depending on whether you have purchased from VitalSource or RedShelf before. For CU students that use Single-Sign On (FedAuth) on our website (this is nearly all students), the RedShelf or VitalSource ebook will be linked with your firstname.lastname@colorado.edu email, rather than your Identikey (four letters/four numbers) email. Both of these emails go to the same inbox, but for other websites, they are treated as two seperate email addresses.

Please keep in mind that eBooks are only available to you for a specific amount of time. Typically, this is 180 days but can vary. This information can be seen on the Book Store website or the manufacturer’s website.

If you have questions on your purchase, you can email assist@cubookstore.com for assistance.

If you have questions about redeeming a VitalSource access code, check out VitalSource's website here: https://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us/articles/360036466173-How-To-Access-your-VitalSource-eBook-purchased-at-your-Bookstore-s-Website

If you have questions about redeeming a RedShelf access code, check out RedShelf's website here: https://solve.redshelf.com/hc/en-us/articles/360012931814-How-To-Redeem-A-RedShelf-Access-Code#:~:text=Visit%20your%20white%20label.,your%20'My%20Shelf'%20page. 

Having trouble finding your ebook?

The ebook will be linked to the email account you purchased the book with. If you use Single Sign On, this is usually your firstname.lastname@colorado.edu. Please try logging onto RedShelf or VitalSource using your firstname.lastname@colorado.edu account. 

Usually doing a password reset for Firstname.Lastname@colorado.edu will do the trick.  

RedShelf 

Getting this error?

Go to https://cuboulder.redshelf.com/ 

Click "Log in or create an account to redeem a code you've already purchased" 

When you see a "Log In to Your Account" screen, please enter your FirstName.LastName@colorado.edu in the email address field. If you do not know the password to First.Last@colorado.edu use the "Forgot Password" button  

  

Please note: It is important to use your firstname.lastname unless you have changed your "preferred" email that the University has on file.

You are now logged in and should be able to access your material on RedShelf.com. Still have questions? Contact RedShelf: https://solve.redshelf.com/hc/en-us/requests/new  

VitalSource 

Click the link in the email that was sent. If you have not activated your account, it will prompt you to enter your email on this screen to complete account registration. Most students will enter firstname.lastname@colorado.edu on this screen, rather than their Identikey@colorado.edu:

  

Didn't get an email? 

Go to https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com  

If you have an account under your firstname.lastname@colorado.edu and know your password, sign in with that account. 

If you do not know the password to your firstname.lastname@colorado.edu account, click the "Forgot Password" button. You will see that an email has been sent to you. Check your email and reset your password. Next, sign in to your firstname.lastname@colorado.edu account with your new password. You should see your materials when you log in.  

Troubleshooting 

If you see this screen with the error message "An account with this email already exists" then click the "Sign In" link in blue and next click "Forgot Password". Sometimes students already have an account created from a previous semester. Generally, CU student accounts are under firstname.lastname@colorado.edu.

Still have questions? Go to CU's VitalSource info page for support: https://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us/articles/10771692179095