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Course Reserves

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Course Reserves

About Reserves

Course Reserves is a library service that supports instructors with providing digital and physical items for courses. We help with the creation of course resource lists. 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

Course Resources is a tool for instructors to create or reuse reading lists and send lists to the library for processing. Lists may contain links to traditional content such as textbooks or articles as well as, streaming films, free web sites, or uploaded files. The Course Resources tool makes it easy to track your requests, discuss questions with the library, and link to items within Canvas.

Access Course Resources from your Canvas course. Direct access is also available.

For Help: see our Guide to Course Resources for Instructors

Managing reading lists

Course reserves and reading lists are managed through the Course Resources tab in Canvas. Instructors should use this tool to submit requests to the library, reuse past course reading lists, and track the status of requested items.

  • Log into Canvas and use the Course Resources tab on the left menu, or log into to Course Resources directly. 
  • Reuse a list from a previous semester or create a new list.
  • ADD ITEMS: search for library items or create your own; use Cite It! to import citations from websites.
  • LIBRARY DISCUSSION: request items / ask questions about your list.
  • SEND TO LIBRARY: submit your list to the library for review and processing. As items are processed by the library, they will be viewable to your students.

Need help?

For Students

If your instructor put items on reserve, you can find a list in Canvas; choose your course and click on Course Resources or go directly to Course Resources and you should see the reading lists for each of your courses. 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

You can request any type of material to support your 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 more accessible. 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 will first look for digital access for requested material, 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 or licensing. See Copyright Guidance for E-Reserves. 
  • Coursepacks and workbooks may not be placed on reserve.
  • Physical items will be 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 1
  • 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).