Skip to Main Content

Research Guides

Reserves

Course Reserves

Looking for reserves lists?

To request an item be placed on reserve (even if the library does not already own the item) teaching faculty should complete the Course Reserve Request Form.

  • Include as much information as possible when placing the request (call number or OneSearch link if the library owns the material, link to Amazon or ISBN if the library needs to purchase the material).

  • There is a reserve limit of 50 items per course.

  • It generally takes 4-6 weeks for an item that GC Library does not own to be purchased, processed, and placed on reserve.

  • The library only handles book and DVD reserves at this time; articles and other items can be organized in Blackboard or by other CUNY tools for sharing with classes.    

    • Because of licensing restrictions, we do not have the capability to purchase new streaming videos. If the library already licenses a streaming video through one of our databases we will help you link to the item for your course.

Material which CAN be placed on Reserve

  • Print books
  • E-books
  • E-book Chapters
  • DVDs
  • Streaming videos that the library has already licensed

Material which CANNOT be placed on Reserve

  • Interlibrary loan books
  • Library periodical issues or volumes
  • Scans of an entire book
  • Streaming video that requires a new license

Need assistance finding openly available materials for your course? For information about Open Educational Resources (OER) or Zero Textbook Cost (ZTC), see our OER Guide.

The Library will notify the instructor when their Reserves page is set up and the list is fully processed. Please note that new purchases will require additional time to process (order, receive, and catalog). Requests made prior to the deadline will be made available prior to the start of the semester, unless you are notified otherwise. Contact Reserves to check the status of your request.

E-Reserves Item Pages

The Library will list material on an E-Reserves site we maintain at the course instructor's request. Reserves materials are for the educational use of students in the course. The Library will follow the current CUNY guidance for fair use and copyright.

  • Free electronic access to course lists will be limited to the course instructor and students.
  • Material will be removed from E-Reserves at the end of the semester.

Password Protection

  • The Library will assign every course page a password and share it with the instructor.
  • Instructors will need to inform their students of the password
  • Library personnel are not permitted to share passwords with students

Request Form

Instructors may use this form to place items on Reserve at the Graduate Center. Click here to view form in separate window.