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Library Reserves

Course Reserves FAQ for Instructors

How Can I Request Course Reserves Items?

Instructors wishing to place items on reserve must fill out the Reserves Request Form PDF. If reserves are requested for multiple courses, instructors must fill out a form for each course. 

Per NSU Libraries Copyright and Fair use policy, course reserves items must be owned by NSU Libraries or the instructor making the reserve request. Limits on number of items or amount copied from an item vary by item format.

If an instructor would like to place their personal items on reserve, a completed form should be brought with the items to the reserves coordinator. If no personal items are requested, completed forms may be emailed to wagner12@nsuok.edu at John Vaughan Library or rink@nsuok.edu at the Broken Arrow campus.

I Submitted a Reserve Request. When Will the Items be Ready?

Processing times for course reserve items vary depending on the type and amount of materials. Most requests are processed within three business days of submission. Instructors are advised not to refer their students to Course Reserves immediately after submitting a request.

How Can I Remove Items from Course Reserves?

To remove an item from course reserves, fill out the Reserve Removal Request Form and submit it to nsuref2@nsuok.edu.

How Long Can Items Remain in Course Reserves?

Items remain in Course Reserves until the end of the semester they were added. If an instructor would like to keep an item on reserve for the following academic term, they must obtain the written permission of the copyright holder. Items will be removed from reserves if permission is not obtained.

How Long Can Students Check Out Course Reserves Items?

Instructors may request the following lending periods for course reserves items:

  • 1 hour 
  • 2 hours
  • 3 hours
  • 1 day 
  • 2 days
  • 3 days
  • 7 days
  • 14 days

Can Students Use Course Reserves Items Outside the Library?

Instructors may designate items for only in-library use or for out of library use.

What Items Can Be Added to Course Reserves?

Physical items held by NSU Libraries or owned by the course instructor may be placed on reserve.

Books

  • Instructors may place up to 2 copies of a book on reserve for a course.

Book Chapters

  • Scanned book excerpts equal to one chapter or up to 10% of the page length may be placed on reserve.
  • Chapters scanned by instructors must include the book's publication information.

Audiovisual Items

  • Original copies of audiovisual items may be placed on course reserve. For additional information on use of audiovisual material in course reserves, please see NSU Libraries Film Use Policy.

Print Journals

  • Instructors may request scans of 1 article from a physical journal issue held by NSU Libraries.

Original Music Compositions 

  • Original compositions by NSU students and faculty may be placed on reserve with the permission of the composer.

Tests and Study Guides

  • Instructors may place past tests and course study guides on reserves.

What Items Cannot Be Added to Course Reserves? 

  • Materials owned by other institutions, including physical and digital Interlibrary Loan items.
  • Copies of audiovisual items that lack the permission of the copyright holder for educational use.
  • Rare books and fragile items.
  • A series of copies, even with individual copyright permissions, whose purpose is to avoid the purchase of a textbook for the course.
  • Material intended for entertainment purposes.
  • Any materials falling outside the definition of Fair Use.

Digital Library Items

  • Digital articles and chapters available through NSU Libraries databases will not be placed on course reserves. Instead, instructors should upload a permanent link for the item to Blackboard. 
    • For instructions on creating permalinks, contact NSU Libraries Access Services or your assigned subject librarian.

Course Reserves and Copyright

Course Reserves items must comply with NSU Libraries Copyright and Fair Use policy. Course reserve items must be intended for educational use and may not be used for the same course for more than one semester unless permission is obtained from the copyright holder. For additional details on whether an item meets the definition of Fair Use as defined by copyright law, please NSU Libraries Copyright and Fair Use page: