Course Reserves Policies

Rivier University Libraries

The libraries at Rivier University adhere to the Fair Use Guidelines of United States Copyright Law (Title 17, USC, Sect. 101, et seq.). When submitting course reserve requests, instructors need to complete the appropriate form, whether for e-reserves (electronic reserves) or physical reserves.

E-reserves provide access via the library’s course reserve system to digital versions of course materials, including journal or newspaper articles, book chapters and student papers as well as links to licensed electronic resources.

Physical reserves are course materials (books, DVDs, sample exams, etc.) that are reserved for use by specific classes. These may be checked out at the main desk and are for in-library use only.

Faculty Guidelines for E-Reserves

General Information

E-reserves offer students online access to course materials.  Upon request, library staff will scan and upload legally obtained (library or faculty owned original copy) course materials to the library’s online course reserves platform.  Only e-reserves in compliance with Fair Use Guidelines will be processed.

In order to protect copyrighted materials, e-reserves made available through the library’s online reserve platform are password protected. The instructor will assign a password when filling out the e-reserve request form and then distribute the password exclusively to students enrolled in that class. The instructor’s Canvas course page is an ideal place to post an e-reserve password. Library staff will not distribute passwords to individuals.

Please note that each e-reserve item has a 25-page limit and may take up to three working days to process.  To request an e-reserve, please submit a Reserve Request Form to the library.

Linking to licensed database articles

Whenever possible and when the university’s license allows, library staff will set up a hypertext link to the full text of documents/articles that are available in the library’s subscription databases. Instructors may also choose to link to database articles within their course management systems (see the Canvas section below).

Canvas

Linking to e-books and articles through a Canvas course page is an alternative to e-reserves.  Students simply click a persistent link and, if off-campus, enter their student ID number to access course materials.  Directions for finding and using persistent links can be found here.

Scanned Articles/Book Chapters

The following guidelines apply for placing journal articles and book chapters on e-reserve:

• One article from any one journal, periodical or newspaper per course, per semester (25-page max.)
• One chapter from any one book per course, per semester (25-page max.)

Removal from Reserve

Unless otherwise requested by the instructor, e-reserves will be removed from the reserve system at the end of each semester. Materials may be kept on reserve for additional semesters if the instructor provides documentation that permission has been granted by the copyright holder.  Copies of all letters of permission will be kept on file at the library.

Exception: Harvard Business Review

Article links or PDFs from the Harvard Business Review must have prior approval from Harvard Business School Publishing before posting to course management systems, electronic reserves, electronic course packs, or “any other means of incorporating the content into course resources” (see statement below). Permissions may include fees.

Library staff will not upload articles from the Harvard Business Review into the library reserves system. Instructors need to seek permission from Harvard Business School Publishing on their own (which may include fees) before posting links to or PDFs of articles from the Harvard Business Review to Canvas.

The following statement appears on articles from the Harvard Business Review in Business Source Premier, an EBSCO database:

Harvard Business Review Notice of Use Restrictions, May 2009 Harvard Business Review and Harvard Business Publishing Newsletter content on EBSCOhost is licensed for the private individual use of authorized EBSCOhost users. It is not intended for use as assigned course material in academic institutions nor as corporate learning or training materials in businesses. Academic licensees may not use this content in electronic reserves, electronic course packs, persistent linking from syllabi or by any other means of incorporating the content into course resources. Business licensees may not host this content on learning management systems or use persistent linking or other means to incorporate the content into learning management systems. Harvard Business Publishing will be pleased to grant permission to make this content available through such means. For rates and permission, contact permissions@harvardbusiness.org.

Faculty Guidelines for Physical Reserves

General Information

Faculty may fill out the online physical reserves form; alternatively, they may print the physical reserves form and fill it out in advance. To put personal materials on reserve, please bring the item(s) to the library after filling out either form.

Course packs may not be placed on either physical reserve or e-reserve.

Student papers and exams must have a signed student release form from each student.

Materials borrowed from another library, through interlibrary loan or from rental companies may not be placed on reserve.

Processing Time

Materials will be processed in the order received. Please submit reserve requests in advance of assigned readings so that we have adequate time to process your materials. Physical reserves are usually available within 48 hours (Monday-Friday).

Removal from Reserve

Unless otherwise requested by the instructor (see extended reserves, below), physical reserves will be removed from the reserve system at the end of each semester. Instructor-owned items removed from course reserve will be held at the library temporarily. If not picked up, they will be sent to the appropriate departmental offices through campus mail.

Extended Reserves

Materials may be kept on reserve for additional semesters if the instructor provides documentation that permission has been granted from the copyright holder. Copies of all letters of permission will be kept on file at the library. Physical reserves that do not require release from the copyright holder may remain on reserve for additional semesters if the course will be taught again.

Copyright Permission Must be Obtained When:

•  An article is needed for more than one semester
• Multiple articles from the same journal are needed
• One chapter of a book is needed for more than one semester
• Multiple chapters from a book are needed.

There may be other instances in which Fair Use Guidelines require copyright permission. Faculty may seek copyright permission through the Copyright Clearance Center. A copy of permissions will be kept on file at the library.