Reserve Information
for Instructors



General Information

The following information is meant to provide instructors with an explanation of the Reserve policies at the NDSU Main Library.  It includes detailed instructions for placing items on reserve and information on how to comply with U.S. Copyright regulations.


Reserve Request Forms

Reserve request forms are available:


    An item may only be placed on Reserve if that class is being offered during the semester(s) for which it has been requested.  When you submit a Reserve Request form, please fill out the following: 

  • Full name
  • Barcode (located on the back of your NDSU ID)
  • Department
  • Telephone extension
  • E-mail address
  • Date request was submitted
  • Course number
  • Full course title
  • How long the material(s) will stay on reserve
  • Check out period
  • The title, author, number of copies, and owner (including the call numbers for library-owned books) for each item that you are requesting be placed on reserve
All reserve requests are processed in the order in which they are received.  In most cases, your reserve requests will be processed within a day or two of their submission.  However, at the beginning of each semester the number of submitted reserves items is the greatest, it may take longer to process your requests.  At these times, please allow up to five days between the materials' submission and the date it will be needed by your students.  It is,therefore, advisable to submit your reserve requests as early as possible.  Any special instructions should be attached to the request.

What May be Placed on Reserve:

  • Library-owned materials: You may find and submit the books directly, or provide the Circulation Desk with a list of the titles and call numbers.
  • Photocopied Materials: Submit photocopied materials, with the full bibliographic citation, to the Circulation Desk.  Please make sure the pages have at least a 1 1/2" left margin to fit into our folders (if double sided, a 1 1/2" right margin also).  If a large part of a periodical volume or issue is needed, we can place the entire issue on Reserve.  In order to comply with the copyright statute, permission from the publisher must be obtained for the following situations:

  •  
    • Use of multiple copies.
    • Continued use of photocopies beyond one semester.
    • Photocopying of an author's entire work.
    • Copying more than one article of a copyrighted collection or periodical issue.
Faculty members will be responsible for obtaining permission from the publisher where needed and for providing the Circulation Desk with such verification before the beginning of the second term that an item is on reserve. 

Further Information on Copyright Laws

  • Personal copies of books: Submit these to the Circulation Desk.  We caution that some amount of wear and tear on the book should be expected when it is on reserve.  The library does not accept responsibility for damage to personal materials.  Please be aware that all materials will be labeled and barcoded, if you have any reservations about this, please contact the Reserve Supervisor to make other arrangements.
  • Inter-Library materials (from Concordia College and Minnesota State University-Moorhead): You must first request the item from the school and them submit it to the Circulation Desk.  These items will remain under your account and you will remain responsible for the material.  It is against our policy to place materials from outside the Tri-College University on reserve.  This includes items requests through Inter-Library Loan and items you have directly checked out from other libraries.
  • Electronic resources: When possible items will be scanned into Docutek, the library's electronic service systems

Check Out Periods

    Materials placed on reserve may be checked out for: 
     
    • 1 hour, in library use only
    • 2 hours, in library use only
    • 2 hours and overnight (if checked out two hours before the library closes; it will be due back one hour after the library opens)
    • 24 hours
    • 3 days
    • 1 week
    • 2 weeks


    All other check out periods must be arranged with the Reserve Supervisor. 


Copyright Information

In accepting a photocopied material, the library assumes that it has been made in compliance with the “Fair Use” provisions of the United States Code and must include on the first page the complete bibliographic citation (journal title, author, date of publication, and publisher).  It is the instructor's responsibility to secure copyright permission on materials that do not fall under these provisions. 

The library will not accept anthologies of readings, also known as course packets, as reserves.  The only exceptions are materials that may be freely copied without violating copyright law. The number of photocoped articles must not exceed ine articles per semester.

Copies of copyrighted materials may not remain on reserve for more than one term for any faculty member unless the library receives proof from the faculty member that they have permission to reproduce and distribute the copies in the fashion which has been granted by the copyright holder and that said reproduction is in accordance with all copyright laws. 

Further Information on Copyright Laws

Reserve IDs

You will be notified by email of the Reserve ID for each item you have placed on reserve.  Please inform your students of each item's Reserve ID.  Your students will need to know the Reserve ID when requesting the item at the Circulation Desk.  You may also search on ODIN to verify that an item that has been submitted has been processed and ready for your students to use. 

Removing Items from Reserve

All materials will be removed at the end of each semeseter, unless requested beyond that semester.  If you wish to remove an item earlier, please contact the Reserve Supervisor.  Items not scheduled to remain on reserve for the next semester will automatically be removed from reserve and may be picked up at the Circulation Disk; otherwise they will be delivered to you at a later date. 

Reserve Materials may stay on reserve as long as that course is being taught, otherwise it will be returned to you.  All other arrangement must be made with the Reserve Supervisor. 


For Further Information

If you have any questions about the policies and guidelines concerning the reserves policy or copyright issues, please contact the Reserve Coordinator at 231-8395 or by e-mail atSarah.J.Adams@ndsu.edu.