Academic reserves are managed through the library’s online catalog. Almost any type of item (book, file, sample tests, periodicals, models, specimen, etc.) which meets library guidelines may be placed on reserve. With the exception of College publications or resources for employee use, materials are placed on reserve at the initiative of faculty for the non-commercial educational use of students and must be directly related to the educational objectives of the College. There are no charges for access to reserves. Faculty who wish to place items on reserve may contact the library. Reserves can be housed on either campus, depending on the instructor’s preference. Copy machines are available in both libraries.
In general the following types of materials (and similar items) will be accepted for reserves at the request of faculty or staff:
- Books, reports, periodicals, audiovisuals (and related equipment)
- Practice or sample tests (see exclusions below)
- Scientific models or specimen (e.g., rocks, minerals)
- Copies of articles or chapters or portions of other printed matter which meet copyright guidelines
- Complete issues or a journal or other periodical in which one or more articles appear (owned by the library or by the instructor)
Specifically, any items placed on reserve must be in the legal possession of the library or the faculty member who provided the item(s). The library will make attempts to purchase items or otherwise help the faculty member secure copyright approval when necessary. This may take some time because of in-house paperwork for requisitioning and paying copyright fees or purchasing books or periodicals. The library is discouraged from providing text books in any capacity.
Faculty members are encouraged to use periodicals and other resources currently available in the Shelton State Libraries. When necessary and possible, library staff will purchase individual issues and/or initiate subscriptions to provide legal copies of items that faculty wish to place on reserve. Faculty members must provide enough advance notice to the library staff for handling such an order or purchase. The library staff is also available to help faculty identify relevant readings for their classes.
Student works (e.g., papers, completed assignments, journals, etc.) are protected by copyright regulations. Any student work that is to be placed on reserve must be accompanied by the written and signed permission of the student to do so (specifying name, contact information, title of item[s], statement giving permission, and dates included).
Instructors should bring items to the library at least twenty-four hours in advance of anticipated requests. All items should be logged in at the reserve desk at the Martin Campus or the circulation desk at the Fredd Campus. The information you provide helps the library staff understand how best to serve you and your students. Please be sure to list a phone number and email address where we can reach you in in case there is a problem with your file(s).
Please log in each item individually. Whenever possible, the library staff will file each item in a separate folder, which makes it easier for your students to get what they need and easier for the library staff to maintain control. The library staff also asks that you mark the original with some color notation so that it will be easier to keep track of the original. The library will gladly provide folders as needed.
Students should be directed to the AV/reserve desk in Brooks-Cork Library on the Martin Campus and to the circulation desk in the Lewis Library on the Fredd Campus to ask for items, which are filed by the instructor’s name or, in some cases, by department.
Fair use copyright regulations govern many items that may be placed on Reserve. For more information on copyright for educators, see Circular 21 from the U.S. Copyright Office.
