Course reserve is a term used in academic libraries

Library

In a traditional sense, a library is a large collection of books, and can refer to the place in which the collection is housed. Today, the term can refer to any collection, including digital sources, resources, and services...

 to describe materials set aside for a specific academic course or other use. Most often materials are put on course reserve by library staff at the request of the course's instructor. Materials on reserve typically have shorter loan periods than other library materials to allow access to a high volume of library patrons - for example, the students taking the course in question. Reserve materials usually return to normal circulation at the end of the term.

E-Reserves

Many academic libraries are installing software and supporting availability of course readings in digital formats through a service referred to as "E-reserves." The service provides controlled access to materials in a digital format but limited to students in a specific course. Such services are often connected to other classroom services for collaboration and course management.

Copyright

Libraries often place excerpts from copyrighted works, in closed or electronic reserves, in accordance with the Fair Use

Fair use

Fair use is a limitation and exception to the exclusive right granted by copyright law to the author of a creative work. In United States copyright law, fair use is a doctrine that permits limited use of copyrighted material without acquiring permission from the rights holders...

guidelines, which govern formal classroom distribution of photocopied materials and extends to reserve readings as well.

External links

• Polaris Library System - Course Reserves
• DocuTek ERes Software
• NTech Media eReserve Software
• " Electronic course reserves and digital libraries: Progenitor and prognosis" by Brett Butler. The Journal of Academic Librarianship, Volume 22, Issue 2, 1996, Pages 124-127 doi:10.1016/S0099-1333(96)90179-2