More information:
What are E-reserves?
E-reserves (electronic reserves) are like traditional course reserves, except the materials on reserve for use by a particular class are available online. Students have access to class materials from the Bluffton Library Catalog anytime and from wherever they have access to the Internet -- no more waiting for another student to finish a reading or access limited to when the library is open!
For electronic documents, including items from library databases, there will be an option with the form to include the link or attach the electronic file. For print materials, faculty will need to send or bring to the library a single-sided copy of the document. The scanned material will be available online for use during the semester in which the course is taught.
Students registered for the course will have access from the Course Reserves link in the library catalog by using their name, barcode number, and course password (as provided to the instructor). Instructions for users of e-reserves can be downloaded from here.
What Can Be Placed On E-Reserves?
E-reserves is more than just a place for book chapters and journal articles; the system has the capacity for many other formats as well. Let's explore the possibilities!
Copyright Guidelines
The library will follow the fair use provisions of the United States Copyright Act of 1976 (Section 107). Any determination will result from weighing each of the four fair use factors. The standard interpretation of fair use for e-reserves in libraries has been to limit the successive times a document can be placed on reserve. In other words, we will not be able to post documents that have been on course reserves or e-reserves within the last two years without having copyright permission.
What usually falls under "fair use" for e-reserves?
When copyright permission must be requested, what then? Library staff will be pleased to advise on procedures but the instructor will be responsible for seeking copyright permission and paying any royalties. The library reserves the right to refuse materials that are not in compliance with copyright law. With any copyrighted materials, we would expect that the library or the instructor or another unit of the University holds a lawfully obtained copy of the work.
Instructions for Accessing E-Reserves
(click here for a downloadable printable copy of these instructions)
Troubleshooting:
If you are directed to a database bibliographic page, and the document doesn’t open the first time you click on it, you can open it in a new window. To do this, right click on the full text link and select open in new window. Once you’ve done this, you should not need to do it again on that computer.
If you have any other problems, contact the Research and Information Desk at 419-358-3450.
E-Reserve FAQs
How long will it take to get my e-reserve request posted on the Bluffton Library catalog?
Because of anticipated demand at the start of each semester, please allow two weeks advance notice. This will give us time to work out any copyright questions and will help to insure having your material posted by the start of classes. Otherwise, expect to see your course reserve item up within 3-5 working days. Electronic materials can usually be posted quickly; materials requiring scanning may take longer, as will multiple requests for a single course.
Will e-reserves be offered free to the student?
E-reserves will not cost the student anything. In fact, because e-reserves are offered online, the student will not have to worry about late fees (as he did with course reserves).
Who is the contact for e-reserves?
Audra Hammond is the coordinator for e-reserves. She would be happy to help you with your e-reserve questions and requests. She can be reached at extension 3365 or at hammonda@bluffton.edu.
