Course Reserves

Course Reserves are materials for class assignments that are placed on reserve at the University Library by faculty and teaching assistants. Reserve materials can be found by searching for the course title or by instructor's name via the library catalog.

  • Course reserve material may be checked out and returned to the first floor service located at the entrance of the Library.
  • An institutional photo identification card (UTRGV card) must be presented in person to check out Reserve materials.
  • Reserve material is checked out for 2 hours (Library Use Only), 4 hours (Library Use Only), 1 day, 3 days, or 7 days.
  • Overdue fines accumulate immediately if materials are not returned at the specified time or date, including any part of any hour past the due time.
  • Course Reserves cannot be renewed. They must be returned to the Circulation/Reserves desk, where they can be checked out again if no other users are waiting.
  • Overdue materials are charged at a rate of $1.00/hour for materials with less than a 1-day checkout.
  • Library-Use-Only materials must be used in the library.
  • Course materials do not circulate within 1 hour of the library closing and must be returned 1 hour prior to closing.

Instructors may use the online forms to place materials on reserve. Reserve material can be placed on reserve for 2 hours (Library Use Only), 4 hours (Library Use Only), 1 day, 3 days, or 7 days. Materials will be processed on a first come, first serve basis and require a maximum of 24 hours to process.

To remove course reserves, please fill out the form below.

The Library complies with all applicable copyright laws. By submitting an electronic course reserve request for these materials faculty acknowledges that they have read and agree they are in compliance with U.S. Code: Title 17, section 107 governing fair use. For more information see the Library's Copyright Guide.

No more than two articles from any single issue of a journal per semester. Unless they are available through our licensed databases. The URL must be provided.

The following standards apply to the use of copyrighted works as electronic reserves:

  • Inclusion of materials on electronic reserve will be at the request of the course instructor, or his or her designate, for educational purposes only.
  • The Library must possess a lawfully obtained copy of any material requested for use as eReserves. Or, the instructor must obtain copyright permission.
  • Access to eReserves will be terminated at the end of each semester following final examinations.
  • Library staff will investigate whether materials requested as electronic course reserves are available through an online database and will provide stable links to such readings as licensed through the Library's subscription databases.
  • The Library will ascertain that the amount of material requested for use as electronic course reserves from any source does not exceed current Fair Use guidelines.
    • Book excerpts placed on electronic reserves may not exceed 15% of the total pages in the book (cumulative over the course of the semester).
    • No more than two articles from any single issue of a journal per semester. Unless they are available through our licensed databases. The URL must be provided.

Q: How can I recommend the library purchase materials for Course Reserves?

A: You can recommend items for purchase by filling out one of our Recommend a Purchase forms: