Expand AU Menu

Reserves - Faculty Services

Instructors can request reserve materials by using the Library Course Reserves management system (Ares) in Blackboard. All reserve materials must adhere to the University's copyright policies. 

Getting Started

  • Log in to your Blackboard (blackboard.american.edu) account using your university log-in.
  • Under "My Courses", select the course that you want to request items for.
  • In your course, select "Course Reserves" from the left menu bar. This will open the course reserves module.

    If the Course Reserves button is not available, please contact Course Reserves.
  • You can now submit and manage your course reserve items. Select "Add Reserve Items" from the left-hand menu.

Library Books on Reserve

Instructors can make full text books available to their students for limited loan periods through shelf-reserves. Reserves staff will pull books from the library stacks, recall books which are currently checked out or rush purchase books which the library does not own.

Books from other schools can not be put on reserve at AU.

  • Clicked on "Add Reserve Item" > Select "BOOK" as the type of item you want to request.
  • Fill out as much information as you can about the book you would like to request. Choose a "2-hr" or "1-day" loan period.

    If the book will constitute required reading for the entire class, we recommend a 2-hr loan period to allow all students time to access it.
  • To request book excerpts, Click on "Add Reserve Item" > Select "CHAPTER" and provide as much information as possible. You may type "Excerpts" instead of a chapter number or title, but please include the page numbers requested.

    Due to copyright restrictions, we can only scan up to 10% of a book for E-Reserves. See more on copyright restrictions.
  • You can also indicate if you will be bringing the books to the Course Reserves desk and if the material will be required for the first month of classes.

Electronic Holdings on Reserve

  • If you would like us to create links to items from the Library's electronic holdings (journal articles, e-books, etc.), Clicked on "Add Reserve Item" > Select "BOOK" or "ARTICLE".
  • For articles, provide as much information as possible. Reserves staff will locate the article and make it available either as a web link or as a pdf file.
  • For items which are neither books nor articles, such as government documents or unpublished papers, Clicked on "Add Reserve Item" > Select "OTHER SOURCES". Be sure to indicate how the item will be supplied and a web address if necessary.

Personal Copies on Reserve

Instructors have the option of submitting their own personal copies of books, articles, and/or course packets.

  • Clicked on "Add Reserve Item" > Select "Book" and select "I will supply the material" for any personal copies you want on reserve. You are also welcome to do so at the Library when you come to deliver the personal copies.
  • To ensure that these items are returned to you, all materials should be marked with the instructor's name and department.
  • You must pick up your personal copies or contact the reserves staff to make other arrangements no later than six months after the semester has ended. Otherwise, books and photocopies will be donated to the library.
  • Although the reserves staff takes every precaution to ensure the good condition of personal copies, there is a risk involved with these materials being used by students. Personal copies will be available for instructors to pick up at the end of each semester.

Cloning Previously Used Items

If you would like to clone items from previous semesters, go to the current or upcoming semester's Blackboard course page and click on the "Course Reserves" button. Select the "Add Reserve Items" link in the left hand tool bar. You will see a list of courses you have previously taught. Check box the course from which you would like to use the readings and click "Import Items" at the bottom of the page. 

if you are requesting items from a course taught before Summer 2012, please email Course Reserves.

If you would like to clone items from one section to another in the same semester, please email Course Reserves or call 202-885-3231.

Other Features of Course Reserves in Blackboard

  • Item Tags: An instructor can "tag" any reserve item to identify weeks, topics, papers etc. For example, one article can be tagged "Week 1," "Napoleon," and "midterm" to help student sort materials. Instructors can add tags either while filling out their initial request or later on by clicking on an item from their item list. Instructors and students can also make their own personal tags on items which cannot be seen by anyone else.

  • Processing Status: Once you have submitted your reserve items, they will display in a list within your account. You can check the processing status of items in your list, making any changes as needed.

  • Email Alerts: You can also register for e-mail notices through the Library Course Reserves Management system. An e-mail will be sent to you whenever your course reserves are updated by you, your TAs, or Library reserves staff. Your students can also sign up for this feature so they can learn when reserve items are available.

  • Student View: If you would like to review how students will see your course reserves list, select "Switch to Student Mode" in the Library Course Reserves menu. Please note that students will only see course reserve items that are available.

  • Reserve Item Usage: The "Reserve Item Usage" option allows you to view the number of times reserve items are accessed. By selecting "Show Detailed Usage," you can see what day each item was accessed.

  • File Upload: Instructors can upload files directly from their computer into the Course management module by clicking on "Add Reserve Item" and then "File Upload." Uploaded files are available immediately and instructors are responsible for ensuring adherence with university copyright policies.

 

Course Reserves
Lower Level, Bender Library
202.885.3231
Reserves staff

Donna Femenella
Reserves Coordinator
202.885.3230
dfem@american.edu

Spring Hours
Mon - Thurs: 8am - 11pm
Friday: 8am - 9pm
Saturday: 9:00am - 9:00pm
Sunday: 10am - 11pm

 

Deadlines

Fall Semester: July 9th

Spring Semester: November 20th

Summer Semester: Five weeks before session start

Requests submitted before the deadline will be available to students by the first week of classes.