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How To Access Reserve Materials: Home

A guide for students on locating and using materials placed on reserve by course professors. Note: This LibGuide was originally created by Kimberley Stephenson.

What are reserves?

Reserves are materials that your instructor has asked the library to set aside for the use of his or her classes. Reserve items have a shortened loan period so that everyone in the class has the opportunity to access them. Books, articles, and videos may all be placed on reserve.

I'm a professor--how do I put items on reserve?

Instructions for placing items on reserve are available on the APU Libraries web site at http://www.apu.edu/library/services/reserves/.

Accessing Book and Media Reserves

To find location information for book and media materials, search the library catalog.

  1. From the APU Libraries Web site, click on the "Books and Media" tab and then select 'Advanced Search'
  2. Click on the 'Reserves' link (in the top, left menu)
  3. Click on 'Course Name' and enter your course name or number, such as 'Foundations of Ministry' or 'CMIN 108'
    OR
  4. Click on 'Instructor' and enter your instructor's last name; select the class required if there are more than one

Using the call number listed for the item, ask the staff member at the Circulation desk at the appropriate library to pull the book from the Reserves shelf for you. You will be allowed to check out the material for 2 hours, 4 hours, 1 day, 2 days, or 7 days (as specified by your instructor). Reserves may not be renewed and are fined at a rate of 25¢ per hour. Return them to the staff member at the desk, not in the book drop.

Accessing Electronic Reserves

Electronic Reserve (e-Reserves) allows access to scanned reserve materials online. Access is password-protected for the students in your class only. Adobe Reader is required to view electronic reserves.

To access electronic reserves, follow steps 1-4 above, then:

  1. Click on the title of the item you wish to view or print.
    1. Enter the Course Password that has been provided by the professor.
    2. Ignore the ‘Access (View) charge’ button. You will never be asked to pay for using APU electronic reserves.
    3. Click on ‘Submit’.
  2. Use the Acrobat toolbar to save and print (not your browser’s toolbar)

Items on electronic course reserve are copyrighted and their contents may not be copied or emailed to multiple sites or posted to a listserv without the copyright holder’s express written permission. However, users may print, download or email articles for individual use.

Questions?

Contact Cheryl Chesler at (626) 815-6000 x3277 or cchesler@apu.edu.