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Course Reserves

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Course Reserves

Course Reserves is a library service that supports instructors and students by providing digital and physical items for courses. Physical items have a library location of Course Reserves and have shortened loan periods, usually a few hours. Course resource lists are managed and viewed through the Course Resources tab in Canvas.

For Instructors

Use Course Resources to create or re-use reading lists.  Add textbooks, articles, book chapters, films, free websites, or upload files. Send your list to the library and we will attempt to purchase anything not in our collection. Course Resources makes it easy to track your requests, discuss questions with the library, and link to items within Canvas. How to access:

Need Help? see our Guide to Course Resources for Instructors

For Students

If your instructor put items on reserve, you can find a list in Canvas; click on Course Resources. Lists can include links to articles, chapters, films, etc. and physical items found at the library. Physical items, such as books or DVDs, will indicate a library location (O'Neill, Bapst, etc.) and can usually be checked out at the library's service desk and used for 2 hours at a time. Fines for late returns accumulate quickly, so please return items on time!

Things to know

Instructors can request any type of material to support teaching including items from our collection, free websites, and items that need to be purchased. Our priority is to purchase online material so that it is accessible and affordable for students. Not everything is available online or with unlimited access, so we will work with you to review the options. If you require students to use physical items, you should indicate that when submitting your list.

  • Lists must be sent to the library each semester and may be rolled-over or recreated. 
  • We first look for online access, including articles, ebooks, and streaming video. If we cannot locate an item in digital format, then we may purchase the item in print. 
  • Digitization requests of print material are considered in light of fair use. Typically one chapter or ten percent of a book will comport with fair use, though slightly more may be appropriate when no digital options are available for purchase. See Copyright Guidance for E-Reserves. 
  • Coursepacks and workbooks may not be placed on reserve.
  • Physical items are removed from library reserves at the end of each semester.

Important dates

In order to review and obtain material for your course, we ask that you submit your lists well in advance of the start of classes.  Priority is given to requests submitted before the following dates:

  • Fall semester: August 15
  • Spring semester: December 1
  • Summer session: April 15

Need help?

If you have questions or need help, email the Library Course Reserves group (reserves-ggroup@bc.edu).