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Continuity of Learning Services at Sawyer library: Reserve Textbook Program

This guide provides information about the Library's online services for faculty, staff and students during the Covid-19 disruptions.

Access to Course Textbooks

 

The Course Reserves Program has returned to pre-pandemic operations. Please use the Library’s Course Reserves page to check a textbook’s availability. Faculty can also reach out to a librarian to check specific texts or to help look for alternatives; email questions to sawlib@suffolk.edu.

  • Print copies: Print reserves books are again available for 2-hour in person check out for in-library use only.  Quarantine is no longer required.  
  • Electronic versions: Library staff will make every attempt to purchase electronic versions of required texts. However, many textbooks are not available in e-version. In other cases, the e-versions are prohibitively expensive or the publisher’s licensing model is too restrictive to make it useful to students (ie. one user at a time). 

Many textbooks are available for sale or rent through the following third-party platforms: Redshelf, and Vital Source. Unlike the library, these companies are allowed to sell or rent individual access to e-texts.  

Vital Source Instructions

The VitalSource platform allows users to rent or buy e-versions of textbooks. Please use the instructions below.  

Registration Instructions:

  • Go to https://bookshelf.vitalsource.com and create a VitalSource account using your Suffolk University email address. You must use your SU email address to get access to this resource.
  • Check your SU email account for a verification email.
  • Click the link in your email to finish signing up.
  • Once you're signed in, click on the link for your book, or search for your book in the search bar at the top of the screen.
  • Click on the picture of the book, and then click "borrow."
  • You'll see a notification that reads "This book has been added to My Library." Click "Open Book" to read your book. There are options to print, bookmark, and virtually highlight the pages. There is also an app available, which you can learn about on the site.
  • You're all set! Just log in to your account whenever you need access to your textbook.

Need help? Watch the Getting Started With Bookshelf video or check the VitalSource Bookshelf Support page for more information.

Open Textbooks

RedShelf Instructions

The Redshelf platform allows users to rent or buy e-versions of textbooks. Please use the instructions below.  

Registration Instructions:

  • Go to https://studentresponse.redshelf.com and make an account using your Suffolk email address. You must use your Suffolk email address to get access to this resource.
  • Check your SU email account for a verification email.
  • Click the link in your email to finish signing up.
  • Once you're signed in, click on the link for your book, or search for it in the search bar at the top of the screen.
  • When you see your book, click "View Details."
  • Click "Add to My Shelf" and you will be redirected to your "My Shelf."
  • Click "Start Reading" and the book will open up in your online browser. There are options to print, download portions of the book, bookmark, and highlight the pages.
  • You're all set! Just log in to your account whenever you need access to your textbook.

Need help? Watch the RedShelf Tutorial Videos or check the RedShelf Solve page for more information.