Course Reserves

Course reserves are materials that are kept near the circulation desk for specific courses and instructors.  Items can be placed on reserve at any time during the semester, and will be taken off reserve at the end of the semester.

Items submitted for reserves will be processed as soon as possible. Please allow 1-2 business days for your items to be processed and made ready for checkout. You will receive an email when the items you place on reserve have been processed.

The library does not accept personal copies to be put on reserve. If you would like a personal copy to be put on reserve please reach out to the liaison librarian for your department, which can be found here. 

How long will these items be on reserve?

Items will be made available to be searched in the catalog and checked out at the time they are processed, and kept on reserve until the last day of the semester unless otherwise requested by the professor.

Do I have to submit my items before the semester starts?

Reserve materials can be submitted anytime you wish, whether it is the beginning of the semester or the last few days before final exams.  Either way, they will only be held on reserves until the end of finals week.

Do I have to submit all my materials at once?

No.  Reserve materials can be submitted at any time.  If you choose to submit materials as your class needs them, we can handle that.  Materials can always be added to your class reserves page.

If I need to submit more items later, do I have to fill out another form?

Yes, a new form is needed for whatever changes you want to make to your reserves account whether you want to add books, change the checkout period, etc.

Do I have to come into the library to submit my request?

Our reserves request form is available online through our website, or under the "Reserve Request" tab in this guide.  It can be filled out on campus, in the library, at home, or anywhere you can get an internet connection.

How long can students check out my reserve items?

We provide several checkout periods for reserve items, and the choice is up to you when you submit the request. 

The library doesn't have a copy of the book I want to put on reserve, what do I do?

We suggest that if you think this is an item you will use again and again, you may contact your liaison librarian and inquire about having the library purchase a copy of the item. The list of liaison librarians can be found here.  You may also check to see if your department could provide the funds for the library to purchase a copy of the item.

I need some library books placed on reserve, but I am off campus for a few days.  Do I have to wait until I return to campus to place my request?

As long as they are items from our collection, you do not need to wait until you can come to the library.  

When will my materials be ready to be checked out?

Materials can be checked out immediately upon processing.  We ask that you allow for 2-3 business days for the items to be processed. 

I only need my students to read certain sections of books, should I put the whole book on reserve, or just certain chapters?

Copyright law allows under the fair use guidelines for one chapter or 10% of a book (which ever is less) to be placed on reserves.  If you have more than that, you would be better suited just putting the entire book on reserve.