Course Reserves for Faculty
Gleeson Library COVID-19 Update
We are only able to process Electronic Reserves at this time. Print Reserves materials can be submitted for scanning and online access (some restrictions may apply), but will not be made available at the Circulation/Reserves Desk. Contact gleesonreserves@usfca.edu or (415) 422-6908 with any questions.
Faculty can place materials on their Course Reserve page for students enrolled in their course. Materials may be the personal property of faculty or the property of Gleeson Library. A list of Course Reserve materials can be viewed through the faculty’s Course Reserve page that is created in the library’s online catalog.
Gleeson Library is limiting Fall 2020 Course Reserves to online materials only. To comply with COVID-19 safety protocols and best practices, the library now requires more time to process Course Reserve requests. Estimated processing timelines are described on this page. Course Reserve requests are processed on a first come, first served basis.
Placing Materials on Course Reserve
- Follow best practices in academic fair use — The library will review all Course Reserves requests and only process those that follow best practices in academic fair use.
- Submit a Request Form — Faculty must complete and submit a Course Reserves Request Form.
- Electronic Reserves materials — Faculty can submit electronic articles, scanned chapters, streaming media catalog links, and scanned documents when submitting a request. More information.
- Physical Reserves materials — Books and other print materials can be submitted for scanning (restrictions apply, see best practices in academic fair use), but cannot be made available at the Circulation/Reserves Desk at this time. More information.
- Requests for purchase — If the library does not carry a title in an electronic format, faculty may request the library purchase it. Submit purchase requests 6 to 8 weeks before the semester begins. Requests are reviewed by the Associate Dean for Technical Services. A Course Reserves Request Form is required for any purchased request that is to be placed on Course Reserve.
- Textbooks — In general, the library does not purchase textbooks. Due to COVID-19 and USF's move to remote learning for fall semester 2020, the library has attempted to make textbooks available when possible, but there are many challenges with obtaining electronic textbooks. Colleagues at GVSU shared a statement that clearly describes these difficulties. For free and open alternatives to commercial textbooks, visit our Open Educational Resources (OER) guide and read our blog post about affordable textbook options for faculty.
- Submit a Request Form every semester — At the end of each semester, course materials are removed and the Course Reserve page is deleted.
Once your requests have been processed, you can link to your Course Reserves page in Canvas.
While the library strives to place all requested materials on Course Reserve, situations may arise where not all requests can be accommodated. The library will work with faculty whenever such instances occur. Contact gleesonreserves@usfca.edu with any questions.
