RedShelf vs. VitalSource: What Instructors Should Know
As your campus transitions from RedShelf to VitalSource, instructors will continue to access their course materials through the LMS—but with new tools that enhance visibility and engagement. This article provides a side-by-side comparison of the RedShelf and VitalSource instructor experience and highlights what’s new.
Watch the Video: RedShelf vs. VitalSource: What Instructors Should Know
This short video walks through how instructors access course materials in the LMS using RedShelf and VitalSource. It also introduces new features available in the VitalSource platform, including analytics and the Instructor Portal.
Prefer to read? View the full transcript below.
What’s Changing for Instructors
With the move to VitalSource, instructors will notice several new features and improvements:
- Access remains LMS-based: Course materials are still accessed through a course link in your LMS (e.g., Canvas, Blackboard, Moodle).
- Instant access via Read Now: Instructors can preview course materials by clicking Read Now, just as students do.
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Instructor Portal access: Through the Instructor Portal, instructors can:
- View student engagement analytics for select titles
- Access previously used course materials directly from their Bookshelf
- Utilize deep linking to assign specific content
- Visibility into past materials: Just like with RedShelf, instructors can continue to access content they’ve previously used.
What’s Staying the Same
- Materials are still made available automatically for the courses using Inclusive Access or Equitable Access programs.
- Instructors can preview and access adopted content without needing a student license.
- Your LMS workflow (i.e., how and where to click) remains largely the same.
Related Resources
- 📊 Set for Success: Using the Instructor Dashboard
A how-to guide for exploring student engagement data and using the Instructor Portal effectively. - 📅 Fall 2025 Migration Timeline and Key Changes
Key dates, integration tasks, and platform access timelines to support your migration to VitalSource. - 🎓 RedShelf vs. VitalSource: What Students Should Know (for Staff)
A side-by-side video comparison of the RedShelf and VitalSource student experience, including dashboard updates and opt-out changes.
Video Transcript: RedShelf vs. VitalSource: What Instructors Should Know
RedShelf Experience – 0:00
In this video, we walk through the instructor’s experience of accessing digital course materials through the LMS using RedShelf, followed by the same process using VitalSource.
In this example, we’re using Canvas, and the RedShelf Digital Materials link is installed in a Course Module. This link allows instructors to access current course materials or view materials from a previous course enrollment or purchase.
Clicking Read Now opens the eBook.
VitalSource Experience – 0:35
With VitalSource, the experience is similar—materials are still accessed through a link in the LMS, and clicking Read Now opens the eBook.
In addition to that, instructors also have access to new tools through the Instructor Portal, including:
- Instructor Analytics to view student engagement data
- Access to their Bookshelf to view course materials from current and past terms
- Deep linking options to direct students to specific content in the eBook
Need Help?
If instructors have questions about accessing materials, using the Instructor Portal, or exploring new tools, your Customer Success Manager is here to help. You can also reach out to us anytime at success@vitalsource.com. This transition is designed to be smooth and supported, every step of the way.