Students
Finding an Item on Reserve
To determine whether materials are on reserve for your class, use the Library Catalog Course Reserves Search to search by course instructor, course name, or course code.
Accessing Items on Course Reserve
- Request items at the MPAL Service Desk by giving the item’s call number to a staff member at the desk.
- Patrons must have their physical i-card to borrow materials.
- Please return all course reserves items directly to the MPAL Service Desk.
Course Reserves Policies
- Standard check-out period for reserve items is 2 hours. Some materials may be available to loan for 24 hours at the discretion of the instructor.
- Items may be renewed if no one else is waiting.
- Overdue fines accumulate at a rate of $5 per hour (2-hour reserves) or $5 per day (all other reserves).
Instructors
Placing Items on Course Reserve
- Library materials, personal copies, and electronic items can be placed on course reserve. MPAL may also purchase items to place on reserve.
- To place items on course reserve, please fill out the MPAL Physical Reserves Request form at least 2 weeks prior to time of need.
- If you have a syllabus or bibliography with complete citation information, please either submit via the webform or send to Catherine Case.
Personal copies
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- You may place your own copies of books, scores, recordings, videos, journals, or photocopies (within copyright compliance) on reserve by bringing them to the MPAL Service Desk, attention Catherine Case.
- The Library assumes no responsibility for loss or damage that occurs while personal items are on course reserve.
Electronic copies
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- E-books, e-scores, journal articles, and streaming media content licensed by the Library can also be added to course reserve lists, making it easier for students to find all materials for your course in one place. All other files should be hosted in Canvas.
- For help making copyright or fair use determinations, please consult the Course Materials and Copyright for Professors
- Many of our online streaming resources allow you to create playlists that can be linked to Canvas or elsewhere. For assistance digitizing analog sound recordings for course purposes, please email mpal@library.illinois.edu.
- For assistance with adding files or links to Canvas, see the Canvas Illinois start page or the Canvas help materials from CITL.
Purchase requests
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- If an item is not owned by UIUC Libraries, we may be able to purchase a copy. However, please note that it can take weeks or months for items to arrive and be processed.
- Please email us at mpal@library.illinois.edu with any inquiries or purchase requests. Please include complete bibliographic information, course name and number, and if you prefer a print or electronic format.