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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:

  • Organize readings by sections, weekly or by topic. Add class notes for your students.
  • Link to affordable and accessible resources such as books, chapters, articles, films, open access material, and websites. 
  • Request the purchase of resources not in the library collection. 
  • Reuse Course Resources lists in other courses or future semesters.
  • Use "Discuss with the Library" to ask questions and get updates on your readings.

To get started, go to Canvas: click Course Resources from your course's left menu. Outside of Canvas, use Course Resources (direct access)

For detailed instructions, 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 to find 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 be checked out and used for 2 hours at a time.

How to use Course Resources

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.

  • Each semester, lists must be sent to the library (click My list is ready) in order for students to see the list.
  • 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. 
  • We can license some streaming video and digitize physical media. We do not have access to commercial platforms such as Netflix.
  • Physical 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).