How to Purchase and Redeem Digital Textbooks on the CSU Bookstore Website

Learn how to navigate the Colorado State University Bookstore website to purchase digital course materials and redeem them using your VitalSource account. This guide demonstrates the process from checkout to accessing your eBooks on VitalSource. These instructions were created using a desktop computer. The process is similar for students using a smartphone or tablet, although the appearance and location of some options may differ.

Tom
24 steps
5 minutes

Colostate

Vitalsource

Shop on the CSU Bookstore Website

Begin from the CSU Bookstore home page. Navigate to <https://www.bookstore.colostate.edu/home> Click [[Shop for Course Materials]] from the Course Materials menu at the top of the page.

Search for your course by selecting the Term, Department, and Course/Section. In this example, we are selecting **SUMMER 26** for the term, **PSY** for the department, and **345-801** for the Course, Section, and Instructor.

*If you are purchasing course materials for a Semester at Sea voyage, please select "Semester at Sea" for your term.*

After building your class list, click on "View Your Materials" to see your book list.

Book Purchase

Locate the eBook you wish to purchase. If physical copies are also available, make sure to select the option under “Digital.” Otherwise, you may receive a physical copy of the book.

After selecting your eBook, click [[Add to Cart]]

When you are done adding books to your cart, click [[Continue Checkout]] to verify your shopping cart.

Verify the items in your cart and click **[[Checkout]]** to continue to the next step.

Two disclaimers related to your course materials purchase will pop up. Review and acknowledge each disclaimer, then click **[[Save]]** to proceed.

When you are ready to pay, click the button marked [[Payment Options]]

Account Checkout

The next part of the process involves logging into the system, checking out, and paying for your purchase. **Most CSU students should use the “eID or NetID Login” option.** This is the easiest way to check out because you can use your existing CSU credentials, and your eBook confirmation emails will be sent to your CSU email address. **Semester at Sea students** should use the **“Guest/Registered User Login”** option. CSU students who have previously created an account on the CSU Bookstore website may also use the **“Guest/Registered User Login”** option. However, we recommend using **“eID or NetID Login”** whenever possible. ***The following steps show how to check out using the eID or NetID Login option.***

Click the link marked "eID or NetID Login"

After signing in, you will see the **Checkout** page. If your order contains only eBooks, you will not be asked to select a shipping method. If your order also contains physical books, you will need to choose either store pickup or shipping. Next, select your payment method from the **Payment Options** box. In this example, we are paying with a **CSU Student Account**, but you can also pay for your eBooks using a credit/debit card or CSU Bookstore gift card.

Learn more about charging course materials to your student account at [bookstore.colostate.edu/bill](https://www.bookstore.colostate.edu/bill)

**Enter your CSU ID number in the box provided.** This is the nine-digit number on your student ID card that usually begins with **“8.”** You can also find your CSU ID number prominently displayed on your RamWeb profile page. **Enter digits only; do not include the “C” from your NetID.** Click the checkbox next to the paragraph to approve the charge to your student account.

Click **[[Save & Continue]]** to save your payment method information.

After payment information is saved, click [[PLACE ORDER]] to process your order.

The Thank You page will confirm that your order was successful and display your order number. You will also receive an email containing your eBook activation code.

Redemption Code Retrieval

Open your email and look for an email from[bookstoreorders@bookstore.colostate.edu](mailto:bookstoreorders@bookstore.colostate.edu) that starts with the subject line "**CSU Bookstore eBook Purchase Confirmation - Order #NNNNNN.**" This email will contain your activation code.

Tip: If you have not received the email, check your Spam, Junk, or All Mail folders. Your email provider may mistakenly filter the eBook activation email as spam.

Each eBook you purchase will have a separate email. Open the email and locate your redemption code.

Select and copy the VitalSource redemption code.

Click on the link[bookshelf.vitalsource.com](http://bookshelf.vitalsource.com) in your email.

Redeeming Your eBook on VitalSource

VitalSource is our platform that supplies your eBooks. The instructions below assume you already have a VitalSource account. For instructions on creating a VitalSource account, please visit [**https://col.st/t7djy**](https://col.st/t7djy)

**Note:** Your CSU NetID/eID credentials will not work on VitalSource. You can create your VitalSource account using any email address you regularly access.

eBook Redemption

After signing in, click the link marked "Redeem Code"

Copy and paste the redemption code from your eBook Confirmation email into the Redeem Code box and click [[Redeem]]

Your eBook is now in your VitalSource library. You can access it on this computer or sign in to your VitalSource account on a smartphone or tablet to access the same library. For technical assistance with eBooks, please visit <https://support.vitalsource.com/hc/en-us>