Course Reserves Instructions for Faculty

NOTE: Course textbooks, including required reading titles, that cost at least $40 are automatically placed on reserve. Electronic versions, when available from the publisher, will be prioritized over print versions. Other texts and supporting materials may also be placed on reserve by faculty request.

If your required print reading materials cost at least $40 each, you need do nothing further. To place print material on reserve that costs less than $40, or additional readings, follow the instructions below.

Submit course reserves with the Course Reserve Form

Electronic Reserves (journal articles, book chapters)

We are happy to work with faculty to locate, purchase, scan, and prepare files for uploading to Canvas. We can also offer guidance in determining Fair Use and assist in pursuing copyright permissions for materials that require it.  

  • Please allow 2 weeks for your request to be processed.
  • Materials not covered by fair use require additional processing to obtain copyright clearance. The library will work with faculty and departments to secure necessary permissions.
  • Items that may not be requested for reserve:
    • Pages from works intended to be "consumable" such as workbooks, exercises, standardized tests, and test booklets.
    • An entire book.
    • Sound and video files.
  • Electronic files may be emailed as attachments to: coursereserves@colum.edu
  • Electronic reserves are not carried over from semester to semester. Please submit a new Course Reserves Form for the current semester.
  • The Library will send you an email to notify you when your request has been processed, with any requested materials in pdf form.
  • The Library reserves the right to deny any materials based on copyright consideration.

Print Reserves (books, films, music CDs)

  • Allow 2 weeks for processing OR 3-4 weeks for items that are checked out, missing, lost, or need to be ordered.
  • Personal copies may be placed on reserve until the Library copy becomes available.
  • Print reserves may be carried over from semester to semester. Notify Course Reserves if you need a reserve title longer than one semester.
  • Only one copy of required titles will be placed on reserve. Exceptions may occur in the case of proven high-use titles. 
  • Films and music CDs may be placed on reserve for a maximum of one week.
    • Alternatively, you can request media (films and CDs) for classroom use and/or schedule a class viewing.
  • Journals, magazines, newspapers, and special collections materials cannot be held in the print reserve collection.
  • Personal copies of visual and audio multimedia are restricted by copyright, contact Course Reserves for more information.
  • Photocopies and materials from other libraries cannot be placed on print reserve.
  • The Library will send you an email when your request has been processed.

Questions? 

Please contact Course Reserves.

The Library reserves the right to change procedures based upon information regarding copyright laws and universal library reserves practices.

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