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Continuity of Library Services: Course Reserves

What are Course Reserves?

Reserves are materials and resources that professors have identified to use for a class. Only JSU faculty and staff are eligible to submit Reserve requests. JSU students who are currently taking classes are eligible to check out Reserve items. Reserve items can be either print or electronic.

  • Print Reserves are books and audiovisual materials that have been set aside for a class at the library.
  • Electronic Reserves are materials that have been scanned and uploaded to the library's website. Access is usually limited to students enrolled in the course.

Contact Us

Have questions?  Contact us at reserves@jsu.edu or (256) 782-8490.

Information About Course Reserves For...

  How do I access Electronic Reserves?

A list of items currently on Reserve can be assessed through the online catalog, JaxCat.

Reserve lists may be searched by professor's name, department, and course.

  May I assess Electronic Reserves off campus?

Yes. Currently enrolled students will need to enter their JSU student number and their last name in order to assess Electronic Reserves off campus.

  Do I need a special program in order to view Electronic Reserve items?

Yes. You must have the Adobe Reader installed in order to view items on Electronic Reserve. This program can be downloaded and installed here.

  What is the Reserve policy?

Please see the Reserve Policy (p.51 Library Policies and Procedures Manual) for more information.

  • All textbooks, including Library copies and professors’ personal copies, will be designated as strict reserve items. They are to be used in the Library only, checked out for one hour, and may be renewed as long as the item is not requested by another patron.
  • The Reserve Desk does not circulate printed photocopies. Photocopies are scanned and made available through Electronic Reserve.
  • Items to be placed on Reserve should include the appropriate, full citations.
  • Reserve materials should be limited to single articles or chapters, and, in general, small portions of entire works.
  • Instructors should only make copies of materials that are already owned legally by either the Library or the instructor.
  • Articles that are available online in full-text through the databases subscribed to by the Library can be placed on Electronic Reserve.
  • Non-circulating materials from specialized service areas are not placed on Reserve. They should remain in the area where they are usually housed: Reference, Periodicals, Alabama Gallery, and the Audio-Visual Center.

  Who is eligible to submit Reserve requests?

Only JSU faculty and staff are allowed to place materials on Reserve

  How do I submit a Course Reserve request?

Submit your Course Reserve request through the Course Reserves Request Form.

  May I use materials obtained through Interlibrary Loan to supplement my Reserve List?

No. Only items owned by the JSU Library may be placed on Course Reserve.

  What can't I put on Reserve?

U.S. Copyright regulations does not permit placing the same copyright protected materials on Reserve for more than one term per year (excluding personal items such as test files, class notes, etc.) without obtaining copyright permission.

Only *one (1)* chapter from a book or *one (1)* article and not more than 25% of the content of an issue of one journal may be placed on Reserve unless the instructor receives the copyright holder's written permission and acknowledges receipt when submitting materials to Reserve.

Books from non-JSU Libraries cannot be placed on Print Reserve. If you would like a book placed on Reserve that the Library does not own, you may drop off a personal copy of the book or the Library's Acquisitions Department may be able to order it. Book orders can take up to 6 weeks, so the earlier we get your request, the better.