Get Started with eBooks

When taking Workday training, you may be assigned an electronic course manual, also known as an eBook. eBooks are hosted on VitalSource® Bookshelf, a leading provider of digital content. From your VitalSource® eBook, you can search, highlight, create flashcards, and take notes directly in the guide.

Setting up your eBook before the start of class ensures you can efficiently access required materials, stay organized, and fully participate in discussions and activities without technical interruptions. 

If the instructor-led course you’re enrolled in uses an eBook (i.e., Learn Virtual), you will receive an email from education-guides@workday.com before the class starts with information on how to access your eBook. 

If the self-directed course you’re enrolled in uses an eBook (i.e., Learn Independent, Refresher Training), you will receive an eBook email from education-guides@workday.com upon completing the first lesson of the course.

From the Workday Community, navigate to Training and select the eBooks link to complete the setup of your VitalSource account. If this is your first time accessing VitalSource through the Workday Community, you will receive an email from education-guides@workday.com prompting you to activate access to your Bookshelf account. 

First time Bookshelf users can follow the prompts to create an account. Users are required to use the same email address associated with their Workday Learning Center when creating an account.

1. Learn the features. From in-text note-taking and highlighting to searching for content, the advantages of eBooks are within the features. Visit the Vitalsource Support site to learn more about Bookshelf features.
2. Download the application locally. In addition to offline viewing, students experience less lag when they download the application locally to their desktop instead of using the online browsers. Visit the Vitalsource Support site and follow the instructions provided to download Vitalsource Bookshelf.
3. Don't have another device? Split your screen. By splitting your screen, you can view both resources at the same time. Screen splitting shortcuts vary by device:
   • For Mac:
     1. Hold down the full-screen button in the upper-left corner of a window.
     2. As you hold the button, the window shrinks and you can drag it to the left or right side of the screen.
     3. Release the button, then click another window to begin using both windows side by side.
   • For Windows:
     1. Open the eBook and your training environment in 2 separate windows.
     2. Hold down the windows button on your keyboard. 
     3. Select your left arrow key to move your current window to the left half of your screen. By default, your other open window fills the right half of your screen, allowing you to see both screens side-by-side.
4. Still not working? Print. We understand that you might prefer to have a hard copy to take notes. You can print a specified page range from your VitalSource Bookshelf account. Print limits apply. For instructions on how to print, visit the Bookshelf eTextBook Printing page on the Vitalsource Support site.

eBooks issued after January 1, 2020 can be accessed on VitalSource perpetually. Learners can directly access their eBook on VitalSource for up to 5 years, with the ability to download the course eBook for offline viewing indefinitely.

Alternatively, you can access instructor-led course manuals on Workday Community from the Documentation site.

For troubleshooting information, review the eBooks FAQ. If any issues persist, work with your Training Coordinator to log a training case.