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Course Reserves Information For Faculty

Contact Course Reserves: reserves@ucsd.edu, (858) 534-1212

How do I put an item on reserve for my class?

Log into Course Reserves with your Active Directory (AD) login. Select the course you want to work on, and then click on Add Reserves Items from the side menu. You will then be able to add items in any format (books, articles, video, etc.).

View the Faculty User Guide for Course Reserves


What if the library does not own the item I'd like to put on reserve?

You may provide a department or personal copy for use by course reserves. If you are able to provide us with a copy, these will be barcoded and labeled with a call number. Because course reserves are heavily used, we cannot guarantee that your copy will be returned to you in the same condition.

If you are not able to provide us with a copy, course reserves staff will attempt to acquire it. Please note requested books will be purchased in electronic form whenever that is an option. 


When should I submit my course reserve request?

Requests are accepted at any time, but to ensure that materials are available for the first day of classes, please submit requests as soon as your new courses are visible within the course reserves system, usually within the last 2-3 weeks of instruction of the previous quarter. Requests are processed in the order they are received.


I submitted my request several days ago. Why aren't my materials available?

Easily obtained or readily available materials can take up to a week to process, while several factors can cause delays in processing, particularly for items needing to be purchased or licensed. Log into course reserves to check the status of individual items. Don't hesitate to contact us us with questions.


My students cannot access electronic reserves. What is the problem?

Make sure the student is fully registered for the course. Students will log into course reserves with their Active Directory (AD) accounts. If they are accessing materials from off-campus, please direct them to our Off-Campus Access page. Students may also contact ACMS for help.


What are the copyright policies for electronic reserves?

All instructors are responsible for ensuring that materials they request for placement on course reserves are in compliance with our copyright policy. Library staff will determine and coordinate any permission requests for re-posting previously used electronic reserves. 

A complete overview of the Library’s copyright policy for various resources can be found here


Can I post lecture notes?

Yes! You can post lecture notes, customized problem sets, practice exams and solutions, study guides, and other original classroom materials.


Can I post material that was created by my former students?

In order to comply with the terms of the Family Educational Rights and Privacy Act (FERPA), the library requires that student authors or creators sign a release form.


I want to show a film during one of my classes. Can I do this?

Films may be shown in the classroom only with an instructor or teaching assistant present. Titles may not be shown outside the classroom or to the general public, even if no admission is charged. You may stream the film directly from your reserves page if you've requested it, or you can check the physical item out from Geisel Library’s Service Hub. Contact us in advance or indicate on your course reserve submission form which date you will show the film so we can have it ready for you to pick up. Reservations submitted less than 7 days before your use date cannot be guaranteed. If an item you want to use is on reserve for another class, you must pick it up at Geisel’s Service Hub on the day you need it, with a 1-day check-out. UCSD Media Services Support will not bring library films to the classroom.

If you wish to show a 16mm film in class, please fill out the 16mm request form. Some films are not eligible for off-site viewing. Questions about 16mm films can be directed to the Interim Media Librarian.


Resources for Film Selections

Instructors may utilize the resources below to help select streaming titles available to place on electronic reserve for your course(s).  To speak with a subject specialist about additional streaming options for your course, schedule a consultation via the Library’s Ask Us platform. Additional streaming resources, as well as copyright policies for streaming media, are provided on the Film, Video, & Streaming Media Collections page. Processing films for course reserves can take several weeks, or longer for some difficult-to-obtain titles.  Selecting films from already purchased or licensed collections will significantly speed the process of making materials available for your course.  Contact Specialized Circulation staff for further information and support for streaming titles on electronic reserve. 


Can my students stream the films I've placed on course reserve?

Film streaming, when licensing allows it, will automatically be made available for all courses. We will accommodate requests to the best of our ability. Films made available to stream should be required for all students in order to qualify under the Fair Use exception.


How can I place images on reserve?

Digital Image Reserves are available to UCSD faculty through the ARTstor Digital Library. Faculty can create image groups in ARTstor devoted to sets of study images, whether for a specific class or exam. For further information please see the ARTstor guide or contact Laura Schwartz.