Course Reserves
How do I find out what items are on Reserve?
Check the Snoopy library catalog to find print and multimedia reserves, as well as a link to eReserves.
- Search by instructor's last name or by course number. See examples.
Where are Reserve materials located?
- Books & articles on Reserve can be requested at the Circulation Desk.
- Videos, DVDs and CDs on Reserve are located in the Multimedia Center, which also has the equipment necessary to use the media items.
- eReserves are located online. See eReserve FAQ for Students for more information.
How do I check out Reserve materials?
- Get the call number by checking Snoopy.
- Note whether the location says Reserve Desk or Multimedia Reserve.
- Request the item (by call number) at the appropriate desk.
- You will need your current SSU I.D. or library card.
- If you don’t find it, check eReserves.
For how long may I borrow items on Reserve?
- Loan periods for Reserve materials are determined by the course instructor and vary (2 hours, 1 day, 3 days or 7 days).
- Be sure to be aware of due dates!
- Phone or mail renewals are not possible.
- Immediately report the loss of materials or your I.D. card. You are responsible for all library materials checked out on your card.
How much are overdue fines for Reserve materials?
- There is no grace period for late returns. Fines will be charged and can add up quickly!
Library Fines Time Fine 2-hour & 4 hour $1.00/hour per item 1-day $5.00/day per item 3-day $5.00/day per item 7-day $5.00/day per item $20.00 maximum fine per item.
- All university services may be withheld for nonpayment of library fines.
Where should Reserve materials be returned?
- When the library is open, return Reserve materials to the Circulation Desk. Media Reserves should be returned to the Multimedia Desk.
- When the library is closed, return Reserves to the 2nd floor book drop at the top of the ramp. Media Reserves returned after hours should be returned to the book drop labeled Media Reserves in the patio area on the first floor.
May I place a hold or renew items on Reserve?
- There are no holds or renewals on Reserve items.
- Return the item on time, and if you need it again, you may retrieve it one hour after its return (allowing others a chance to use the item).
Information for Instructors:
General information:
The same eReserve item may be cross-listed, and there is a section on the request form to indicate this. A different form must be completed for print reserve materials to be checked out at the University Library Circulation desk.
It is possible to place some materials for a single class on eReserve while others are made available in print at the University Library Reserve Desk, but the same material will not be made available both online and in print.
A minimum of 2 days processing time is required to make new eReserve items available to students.
Limitations :
The University Library will make every effort to accommodate faculty requests for electronic course reserve materials, but may need to limit the number of items placed on reserve for any one course, or restrict inclusion of materials for copyright reasons. Reserve readings are meant to supplement course text materials, not replace them.*
How to place library-owned materials on Reserve
- Check the Snoopy library catalog to see if we own the item you need.
- Check the University Library Copyright Policy for guidance on acceptable reserve materials.
- Pick up a Reserves form at the Circulation Desk.
- Pull the books from the shelf and bring them and completed form to the Circulation Desk. Retrieving books yourself results in a fast turnaround time.
- You may also fill out the Book Reserve webform and have library staff retrieve the books for you. We will search for your books for 3 days. If we cannot locate them, we will notify you via your SSU email account one time only. Processing takes one business day.
- For library-owned media fill out the Multimedia Reserve webform or pick it up at the Multimedia Desk. Multimedia items are always retrieved by library staff.
How to place personal copies on Reserve
- Bring books and articles to the Circulation Desk.
- Check the University Library Copyright Policy for guidance on acceptable reserve materials.
- Bring media to the Multimedia Desk.
- Fill out the reserve form as you would for library-owned materials.
- Articles do not need to be listed on the form by title. Articles go together in a folder which will be given the title of your course name and number:( e.g., SOCI301: readings).
- Include a complete citation for each article so students can find the original if needed..
- We can manage up to 3 copies of each article.
- These will go into 3 identical folders with the same call number listed as copies one, two and three.
- If you want to add articles to your folders, be sure to bring in the same number of copies as you have folders.
- We do not put articles on reserve by individual title or author.
- Be sure to keep copies of all your articles in case of loss. If we are informed of losses, we will let you know so that you may supply replacements.
- Please allow two business day for processing.
- Student papers require written permission from the student before posting. (pdf form **)
How to place articles or notes on eReserve (electronic reserves)
- For complete information and forms see the eReserve webpage.
How to request items not owned by the Library be purchased
- For books the library does not own, email Jack Ritchie (jack.ritchie@sonoma.edu) or drop off the completed form at the Circulation Desk.
- For media the library does not own, email John Muller (john.muller@sonoma.edu) or drop off the completed form at the Multimedia Desk.
- Please include:
- your first and last name.
- the class number for which you want the material on reserve.
- the length of time the items can be borrowed (2 hours, 1 day, 3 days or 7 days).
- Let us know if the book is available in the bookstore on campus.
- If the bookstore has the book, it should take three or four days from the time we receive your request to having it ready for the students.
- If the bookstore does not carry the book, we will order and process your request as quickly as possible.
- NOTE: Please do not assign Reserve items before the library has had time to order and process them! Check Snoopy first.
- The Library is not able to purchase every title used in classes for reserve and does not generally purchase standard textbooks.
How are loan periods determined?
- The length of time the items can be borrowed is determined by the instructor (2 hours, 1 day, 3 days or 7 days).
- To decide the time period, take into consideration the number of students who will need access to this material.
- If this is required reading and you have a large class, you might find it better to put a 2 hour loan period on the item and ask students to photocopy what they need.
- If the item is already on reserve by another instructor, you must use the first instructor's loan period.
- If this is a video and it exceeds 2 hours in length, you can put it on 4-hour reserve at the Multimedia Desk.
How long does it take to process Reserve items?
- Material brought to the Circulation Desk or Multimedia Desk takes 48 hours (two business day) to process.
- If you have filled out the webform, library staff will retrieve the books for you. We will search for your books for 3 days. If we cannot locate your books, we will notify you via your SSU email account one time only.
- NOTE: Please do not assign Reserve items before the library has had time to process them!
Questions? Contact Jack Ritchie at the Circulation Desk (707-664-2562)
* Due to space constraints, we will remove from Reserve items that have not been circulated in three years. Personal copies will be returned to faculty.
** Note: You will need a copy of Adobe Acrobat Reader to view these files.
