UNC Law Library Reference Desk
Please contact the UNC Law Library Reference Desk with any questions about accessing or navigating ebook collections and platforms.
Email: lawref@unc.edu
Call: 919-962-1194
Chat: library.law.unc.edu
The West Academic Study Aids Collection provides access to digital books, audio books, and video materials. Digital study aid titles available in this digital collection include:
Institutional access to the West Academic Digital Study Aids is available at this link to the UNC Law community with their ONYEN and password. Utilizing this access will allow you to search and read all content within the digital library.
West Academic also offers the option to personalize your experience with the platform by creating your own account. This allows you to annotate, save favorites, listen to audio lectures, download titles for offline access, and more as discussed in the special features box below.
Once you have verified your email address you can access all the content available in your subscription and you can log-in independently from your school’s network.
Finding eBooks - Browsing
Across the top of the West Academic homepage, there are multiple ways to browse the digital collection. Select "1L" or "2L/3L Subjects" to browse by legal subject area. Select "Content Type" to browse by type of book, as well as audio or video materials. Select "Series" to browse by a type of study aid, like Nutshells or Short & Happy Guides.
If you know of a particular title, author, or topic, consider utilizing the keyword searching feature in the search bar at the top of the homepage. By clicking on the "Search Tips" link under the search bar, you can view the advanced keyword search features available within the platform.
West Academic provides for many special futures detailed below, including offline reading, highlighting, and annotating. However, to have access to these special features you must (1) create a personal account as detailed above and (2) utilize RedShelf via a web browser or via the app.
RedShelf is an ebook platform that West Academic utilizes for an enhanced reading experience of its ebook content. You may utilize RedShelf via your web browser. For higher functionality, it is recommended that you download the RedShelf app to your personal device.
To access RedShelf via the web browser, open an ebook in West Academic while logged into your personal account. Click the link to "Open in RedShelf eReader." For more details on the RedShelf app, see the box below on offline access to content.
Offline Reading
Titles in the West Academic Study Aids Collection are available for offline reading in the RedShelf app. The RedShelf app is available through the Apple Store for iOS devices or the Google Play Store for Android devices.
How to Get Offline Access (via West Academic Instructions)
Highlight & Annotate
When viewing a West Academic ebook on RedShelf, you have access to additional features for interacting with the book. This includes highlighting text, annotating, creating flashcards, and creating citations. To activate these features, highlight text in the book with your mouse and look for the pop-up box with these options.
Have questions about West Academic Digital Study Aids? Go to the platform's FAQs here or contact the Law Library Reference Desk.
Offline Reading & Listening
Detailed instructions for offline reading are available here, as well as instructions for listening to audio books.