Course Reserves

Schaffer Library strives to provide as much access to required course materials as possible. As such, Schaffer Library will place the following types of materials on Course Reserves:

• Library-owned circulating materials.
• Faculty-owned personal copies of books and media (DVDs).
• Approved library purchase requests.

Items on Course Reserve are stored behind the Library Service Desk and must be specifically requested. Generally, Course Reserve items have a four-hour loan period and should be used in the library building only. Items may be returned to the Library Service Desk or placed in the book return bin by the hold shelf.

For copyright reasons, we are unable to place the following on Course Reserves:

• Items that belong to another library (i.e. interlibrary loan materials).
• Unlicensed copies of media.
• Photocopies of entire copyrighted print works.

Requests for non-circulating items (reference materials, print journals/periodicals, Special Collections items, etc.) to be placed on Course Reserves will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

For questions regarding the Course Reserves service, please contact the Library Service Desk at (518) 388-6280.

The Course Reserves service is driven by faculty participation, and items on reserve change each term. There are a few ways you can identify if a specific item is currently on Course Reserves:

1. Search Primo. Keyword search by the book title, course code, or faculty name in the search box. If it’s on Course Reserve, a course code tag (i.e. HST 158) will be assigned to that item.
   
   Login to Primo
   
2. Check in at the Library Service Desk. Course Reserve books are shelved behind the desk by the professor’s last name. If you aren’t sure, check the course syllabus.

Faculty members are encouraged to place Course Reserve requests for print items as soon as they are selected for a course.

To place a request through Primo for print library books (preferred):

1. Login to Primo, as requests will be tied directly to your library account.
2. Search Primo for the physical item you are looking for.
3. Open the record. In the “Get It” section, there is a section for item location. Verify that the item status is “On Shelf” and then click “Course Reserves.”
4. A Course Reserves Request form will appear with the item information already populated. Fill in the required faculty/course information.
5. Click “Submit Form.”

If Schaffer Library does not currently own the item, faculty may request a purchase in one of the following ways:

• Click “Suggest purchasing for library collection” in the item’s Primo record.
• Use the Library’s Suggest a Purchase form.
• Send an email request to librarycollections@union.edu. Include the following information:
  • Faculty name
  • Term/year
  • Course code (i.e. HST 158)
  • Course name

To place a manual request, use the following form:

Library Course Reserves form

Please allow one week for Course Reserve requests to be processed at the start of each term. Additional time is required for new purchases as ordering and shipping times may vary. Status updates on purchase requests may be obtained via librarycollections@union.edu.

Items purchased for Course Reserves will reside in the Library’s general circulating collection when not requested for Course Reserves.

Note regarding electronic resources: Faculty are encouraged to create links directly in Nexus for electronic library resources (eBooks, streaming media, articles, etc). Persistent links, or “permalinks,” should be used to ensure consistent access. For help locating permalinks, contact a librarian through our Ask a Librarian service. For assistance with creating links in Nexus, contact the Learning Design & Digital Innovation group.

Schaffer Library is happy to support faculty with using film in their courses. The Library currently provides the following support:

• Acquiring licensing for electronic/streaming media from existing or new vendors.
• If electronic/streaming format is not available, acquiring films in DVD format for use with playback equipment located in electronic classrooms and the Library’s Learning Commons.
• Guidance on film availability in existing streaming databases.

For more comprehensive information about faculty support for film usage, please visit the Film at Schaffer Library guide:

Film at Schaffer Library

Due to the changing landscape of film production and distribution, film availability and format will vary. Librarians will do their best to accommodate course needs, and faculty are encouraged to submit film title requests as soon as they select them. Faculty with questions about film requests may email librarycollections@union.edu.