Adding the VitalSource Bookshelf link to a Canvas module

Faculty may use this method to add VitalSource materials to their Canvas courses, but it is no longer the preferred method. However, it is useful for adding direct links to specific pages or chapters. 

Contact the Academic Technology team if you have questions about the changes.

1. In a Module, select the + in the module’s title bar to add a new item. 
2. Select External Tool from the Add menu. 
3. Select VitalSource from the list of tools (See Fig. 1).
    
   Figure 1: Add External Tool dialog box
4. Select Link to Book if you wish to create a single link to the textbook in your module.  Select Link to Specific Page if you wish to link to one or more pages, chapters, or sections. (See Fig.  2)
   
   Figure 2: Choose to link book or pages.Change the Page Name if desired.
5. If you chose Link to Book, skip to step 8.
6. If you chose Link to Specific Page, locate the page or pages you wish to choose (you can create multiple page links at once) and select them. They will turn black with the page number showing in gray. (See Fig. 3)
   
   Figure 3: VitalSource page picker
7. Select Add Materials. Note that if the button does not appear at the bottom, you may need to collapse the page menu. 
8. Select Review and Submit.
9. Select Add to Course. 
10. Select Add Item
11. If ready, publish the link(s).

We recommend using the Student View to check the link; however, if it is more than one week before the start of the course, the materials will not be available to students. If it is less than a week before the start of the course please contact the Bookstore’s AutoAccess Team to make sure there are no problems with the order.

Tips

• Use the Student View to test the link for students.
• Students sometimes have difficulty locating the textbook links. If making a link to the whole textbook, we suggest you put it in a module by itself, or with other, explanatory materials, such as a note on AutoAccess.
• Clearly label the module as Textbook.
• Page links are more suitable to being placed in line in the appropriate module for that week or unit. It may be a good idea to clearly label them as links to readings or the textbook.
• If students have difficulty accessing the links, they should contact the Bookstore for assistance. 
• If students report problems using their VitalSource text on their phone or tablet, suggest they download the VitalSource Bookshelf app.

VitalSource Bookshelf campus and vendor resources