Customer Support

We want to keep you in the loop about recent policy changes that affect how we get books to our U.S. customers, colleagues, and learning partners. The U.S. government has removed the duty-free threshold for Canadian goods entering the United States, which means that every shipment of printed textbooks crossing the border now faces added shipping and customs charges.

As a small, proudly independent publisher, we’re committed to making our books available to schools in North America, however, these new rules create costs and challenges that will impact our valued customers to the south.

For instructors in the U.S.

If you’re considering one of our titles for your course, we strongly recommend adopting digital options, such as affordable semester long rentals. With digital, students avoid extra shipping costs and benefit from instant access to materials.

For U.S. Customers

Purchasing a digital format is the most cost-effective and convenient way to access our textbooks at this time. If you do need print, you’ll notice an increased customs charge or shipping cost upon checkout.

We deeply appreciate your support and understanding as we adapt to the fluctuating policy changes together. Your choice to teach, learn, and publish with Canadian Scholars helps us continue our mission of providing high-quality, inclusive, forward-thinking academic resources to the post-secondary community.

Most textbooks with an eBook available can be rented. Rentals are available for both fixed layout and reflowable digital formats.

Digital textbooks can be rented for a period of 365 days or 180 days. Users will be notified via email when their digital rental is approaching the expiry date.

If the rental period has expired, another period of 365 days or 180 days can be purchased from our website.

Yes, however digital rentals are not eligible for refunds unless a student has dropped the course within the standard drop period at the start of the semester (within 14 days of semester start). If you are a student who has dropped a course and need to return your rental within 14 days of the start of a semester, please email info@canadianscholars.ca and be prepared to show that you’ve dropped the course you purchased the book for.

1. Log into your Canadian Scholars account

2. Go to eBook Library

3. Click Access eBook

4. First time? Create or log into your VitalSource Bookshelf account

For more information, please follow these instructions

We understand that the language around digital products is often used interchangeably. Here is the terminology Canadian Scholars uses to describe our digital offerings:

eBook: A digital book that can be accessed on a personal device (like a computer, tablet, or smartphone) and is available from Canadian Scholars in two different formats: Fixed Layout and/or Reflowable.

eBook – Fixed Layout: A fixed layout eBook maintains the look and feel of a printed textbook. Text and images are formatted to remain fixed on the page, and the screen size determines the size of the page. These eTextbooks work best on large-screen devices and do not contain any embedded media or interactive content. This format is recommended for eBooks containing extensive tables or highly visual elements, but is not recommended for readers who require any accessibility features.

eBook – Reflowable: Reflowable eBooks fit to the size of the device they are viewed on, much like a typical website, which causes the layout to look different from the physical print version. Font size is customizable and is generally screen-reader-friendly. Reflowable eBooks may also contain embedded media or interactive components in addition to VitalSource Bookshelf’s standard study tools. This format is recommended for readers utilizing screen-reading software or who require other accessibility features.



**It is important to note that all eBooks purchased through the Canadian Scholars website are delivered through the VitalSource BookShelf e-reading platform and cannot be downloaded in the traditional sense. For copyright protection, digital textbooks can only be accessed after purchase through your Canadian Scholars account or through the VitalSource Bookshelf.

Fixed layout or Reflowable? How do you choose which format is right for your course? We price both formats the same, and both work with most mobile and desktop devices and allow for highlighting, bookmarks, and student notes. While similar, there are key differences:

Fixed Layout ebooks are static, with text in a fixed layout that mirrors that of the print book. Page numbers will reflect the numbering in the print edition. Complex formatting (like that of cookbooks or children’s books) will appear the same as they do in the print version. The font size can’t be changed, but users can zoom into a portion of the page. They are best viewed on large-screened devices like laptops and tablets.

Choose fixed layout when:

• It is crucial that students are able to reference material on specific page numbers
• The text has numerous visual elements like illustrations and photographs that need to hold a fixed layout
• Students are primarily using their laptops or desktop computers to access their digital books

Reflowable eBooks are mutable, with text that adjusts to the screen size of a user’s device. Font size can be increased or decreased for ease of reading on mobile devices or e-readers. They often include more interactive features than a fixed layout ebook, such as live hyperlinks to web sources, footnotes, a linked table of contents, and more. Reflowable eBooks also often integrate better with accessibility software, offering a better user experience.

Choose reflowable when:

• Students are primarily accessing their digital books via their phone or e-reader
• It’s important to the course to have interactive features built into the text
• Students need to be able to enlarge the size of the text rather than zoom in
• An academic accessibility office would prefer the use of a reflowable file

We highly recommend that when adopting a book for a course, you request both formats be made available through your institutional bookstore so that students can choose the best experience for themselves.

There are two easy ways to view your eBooks after purchase or rental:

1. Your canadianscholars.ca Account

When purchasing or renting a digital product from our website, users will be asked to create an account. Not only does your user account track purchase and rental history, favourites, and save preferences, it also has a handy feature called e-Book Library.

A user’s e-Book Library allows them to view any purchased or rented digital book via the VitalSource BookShelf e-Reader.

To access your digital purchases, log into your Canadian Scholars account and click the User icon in the top-right corner of your screen.  



Then select e-Book Library on the left-hand side and click on Access eBook.



If this is your first time accessing your e-Book Library, you will then be asked to create a (or log into an existing) VitalSource Bookshelf account. We recommended using the same email & password used to create your Canadian Scholars account, if possible.  

 

Once you’ve registered your VitalSource account, you will need to go to your inbox and verify your email address.



The next time you log into canadianscholars.ca, you will be able to access your purchases seamlessly through your e-Book Library—no secondary login required. 



2. Via VitalSource Bookshelf

Once you’ve registered your VitalSource Bookshelf account, you will also be able to access your purchases directly through the VitalSource desktop website, or through the VitalSource app on any of your iOS or Android devices. The VitalSource mobile app will allow users to take their eBooks on the go and supports offline viewing. 



Log in using the same email address and password used when creating your VitalSource account to see your full eBook library. Please note that these login credentials may be different from the ones you use to log into canadianscholars.ca! 

All eBooks purchased through our website are accessed through the VitalSource Bookshelf e-reading platform. 

VitalSource is a digital e-reading platform that gives students instant access to their purchased eBooks across any laptop, tablet, or smartphone. Through VitalSource’s intuitive Bookshelf platform, students can utilize features that greatly improve their experience, including study tools, annotation tools, and text-to-voice features. 

Download the VitalSource mobile app for iOS or Android devices. The VitalSource mobile app will allow users to take their eBooks on the go and supports offline viewing. 

Log in using the same email address and password used when creating your VitalSource account to see your full eBook library. Please note that these login credentials may be different from the ones you use to log into canadianscholars.ca! 

VitalSource has robust help documents that explain how to use the Bookshelf application. 

Downloading & using the app: 

• Offline Reading 

• Accessibility 

• Reader Display Preferences 

 

Navigation, annotation, & study tools: 

• Read Aloud 

• Flashcards 

• Margin Notes 

• Workbook 

• Bookmarking 

• Citations 

• Note-taking 

If you are experiencing issues with the VitalSource Bookshelf e-reader, please open a case with VitalSource Support by submitting a ticket through their 24/7 Customer Support chatbot. Please note that in order to protect our customers’ personal data, we are not able to submit a support ticket on your behalf. 

VitalSource also has robust support articles that you can browse. 

If you are experiencing other issues with the Canadian Scholars website specifically, please contact info@canadianscholars.ca. 

It is possible to access your eBooks offline via the VitalSource mobile app. However, outside of VitalSource, our digital rights management (DRM) settings prohibit the download of eBook files. This means you will not be able to download our eBooks to your desktop and share them among your peers. 

DRM allows us to protect the copyrighted works of our authors and ensure they are fairly compensated for their work. It also means that all digital products we sell are locked to the VitalSource platform to prevent illegal file sharing. 

Yes! VitalSource regularly tests its Bookshelf application using the following assistive technologies:  

• JAWS (Windows) 

• NVDA (Windows) 

• Narrator (Windows) 

• VoiceOver (macOS) 

• TalkBack (Android) 

• ChromeVox (ChromeBook) 

• VoiceView (KindleFire) 

Bookshelf also offers a read-aloud text-to-voice feature that you can learn more about here.  

To learn more about VitalSource’s accessibility goals and other key features, please visit their information page. If you require further accessibility support within the Bookshelf app, please contact accessibility@vitalsource.com directly.  

Your school’s accessibility office is also welcome to contact Canadian Scholars directly at permissions@canadianscholars.ca with any accessibility requests or feedback. 

As of April 2026, Canadian Scholars uses the VitalSource Bookshelf platform for all eBook access and is no longer partnered with RedShelf. 

But don’t worry! All your active RedShelf eBooks have been transferred to VitalSource Bookshelf, and you still have access to all your purchases through the Canadian Scholars website and VitalSource platform. 

To access your purchases, simply follow these instructions. 

Please note that any notations or highlights made in your RedShelf eBooks have not been transferred over to VitalSource. If you still wish to access your eBooks through RedShelf, you are still able to do so by logging directly into RedShelf.com using the same email and password you used through the CanadianScholars.ca. Please follow these instructions to access your Redshelf account.

However, please be aware that RedShelf is permanently retiring its e-reader and retail store by September. We strongly encourage you to move your usage over to the new VitalSource e-reader wherever possible.

If you are having trouble accessing your eBook purchases, please contact info@canadianscholars.ca. 

To access your old Canadian Scholars purchases through your Redshelf account, please follow these steps. However, please be aware that RedShelf is permanently retiring its e-reader and retail store by September. We strongly encourage you to move your usage over to the new VitalSource e-reader wherever possible.

1. Log In or Create an Account

Go to the RedShelf.com login page and log in using the same email address and password you use to access your purchases on CanadianScholars.ca. 

If your login credentials are not accepted, use the Forgot Password feature to recover your password. If RedShelf still does not recognize your email address, you may need to select Create an Account and register using the same email address you use to access your purchases on CanadianScholars.ca.  



2. Visit Your My Shelf  Once you’ve logged into your RedShelf account, go to the RedShelf homepage and click the User icon in the top-right corner, then select My Shelf from the dropdown menu. 



3. Access Your eBooks 

In your My Shelf you will find all your Canadian Scholars purchases, as well as any other titles you’ve purchased through RedShelf. Select your eBook and click Read Now to start reading. 

When you open your eBook, any notations, bookmarks, comments, highlights, or other personalization you added while on CanadianScholars.ca will be available.  

For individual orders, customers can purchase titles directly through our website. Customers receive FREE shipping for all print orders within Canada, and lifetime-access and rental options are both available for all digital eBooks.

See the eBook Support section of our Customer Support page for information on how to access your digital purchases.

Booksellers looking to place bulk print orders can visit our Ordering Information page for more information.

Canadian Scholars distributes eBooks through the following digital platforms:

• Campus eBookstore
• EBSCO*
• Follett (via Kortext)
• Perusall
• Texidium (Kivuto Solutions)*
• VitalSource

* Limited catalogue; titles can be made available by request

Contact your institution directly to find out which distribution platforms may already be available to you through your institution’s LMS, bookstore, or library.

Instructors may also reach out to their institution’s designated Publisher’s Representative with eBook upload requests or additional questions.

Within Canada, Canadian Scholars distributes print editions through the following retailers and wholesalers:

• Login Canada
• Indigo *
• Amazon Canada *

* Availability may vary, Canadian Scholars does not guarantee stock or in-store availability

International customers looking to purchase digital editions outside of Canada may explore the catalogues of any of the digital distribution channels listed above, or purchase print editions directly from the Mare Nostrum Group Bookshop.

International instructors may also request review copies from Mare Nostrum

Booksellers may place bulk orders for print editions directly through one of Canadian Scholars’ international print distributors:

• Mare Nostrum Group – All territories outside of Canada & US *
• Ingram Lightning Source – US customers only *

* Limited catalogue due to sales rights, but some titles may be made available by request

US-based customers may also choose to contact us directly to place print orders or request a shipping quote.

Please be advised that some titles may not be available to customers outside of Canada or the US due to limited distribution rights and permissions.

Booksellers can access all metadata records for the Canadian Scholars catalogue through the following metadata aggregators:

• Book Manager
• BookNet (BiblioShare)

Please be advised that we are only able to distribute ONIX 3.0 metadata at this time.