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Course Reserves Information for Faculty

What materials can be placed on reserve?

These materials are usually limited to required reading materials, videos, or cassettes for a particular class, although models, slides, etc. may also be placed on reserve. Reserve items are available as copies in the libraries and/or as electronic files available through a secure server on the Internet.  Electronic files are usually in portable document format (pdf) files accessible via the free Acrobat reader. 

Reserves Submission

Course materials may be placed on reserve by submitting a Online Request Form .

Materials are placed on reserve in the order they are received. We make every effort to have material available on time. However, since we typically receive the bulk of our reserve lists during the first week of class, it takes a bit longer to process requests received at that time. At the beginning of the semester, materials should be submitted at least two weeks prior to the class's need for the material. Additional materials throughout the term are more than welcome and should be availabe within a few days. To ensure that students will be able to identify the reading, please cite chapters of books, books, and photocopies in the same way on the course syllabus and on your Online Request Form. It will also help us if we have a copy of the syllabus.

For Paper Reserves, in order that materials circulate using the online catalog, all items, including personal copies, have bar codes affixed to them. Additionally, security devices will be added to high-risk items.

For Electronic Reserves, in most cases, the Libraries will scan from materials in our collection; or instructors can indicate that they will be delivering the materials on the online request form. If neither party owns the material, Electronic Reserves will attempt to obtain a copy. In order to create high quality scanned images, the Libraries prefer to scan directly from the source (book, journal, etc.). When the instructor has locally produced materials, such as solutions, class notes, etc., those materials can be delivered to the appropriate service desk to be scanned.

Items, electronic and print,  will automatically be taken off reserve and faculty-owned items returned to the instructor at the end of each semester, unless otherwise specified.

Electronic Reserves Copyright Restrictions

The Copyright Law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials.

Under certain conditions specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship, or research. If electronic transmission of reserve material is used for purposes in excess of what constitutes "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement.

The University Libraries will attempt to obtain permission to use the requested materials for electronic reserves when necessary, including out-of-print titles. The Libraries pay all the royalty fees incurred for this service.  When permission is not granted by the copyright holder, other arrangements may need to be made, e.g., purchasing additional print copies of books, placing journal volumes on reserve in the library, or getting electronic book access. When permission is granted, it will be for one-time-use (one semester) and subsequent use will need to be re-requested.  Copyrighted materials will be removed from electronic reserves at the end of each semester.

The Libraries will pay up to $300 in copyright fees per course. Rare exceptions may be made at the discretion of the Libraries.

Electronic and Paper Reserves Access

Reserve materials are listed on the online catalog and may be searched by the class, i.e. Psychology 307, or the instructor's last name. Electronic materials are accessible on each course page through the link: "ELECTRONIC COURSE RESERVES."  Off-campus users will have to authenticate by providing their NetID and password to access the materials. 

Paper Reserves Circulation

Reserve materials may be checked out with a current library card.

Paper Reserves Loan Periods

Reserve material loan periods are set by the instructor, at 2-hour library use only, 2-hour with overnight (can be checked out 2 hours before closing and returned the hour after the library opens the following day, 12-hour, 3-day or 7-day. These time periods are based on class size, expected demand or to protect the instructor's personal material(s).

Paper Reserves Overdue Fines

Overdue fines are $1.00 per hour for 2 hour and 12 hour reserves and $5.00 per day for 3 day and 7 day reserves.