Shields Library Reserves

The Reserves in Shields Library is wonderful for students who want to save money on textbooks, movies, and music. Professors often put on Reserve textbooks, optional class materials, and other hard to find books that may be of interest to the class. If you do not see what you need there, chances are that your prof either forgot or doesn't know the free service exists. Ask nicely and most professors are happy to help you out. Materials may be checked out for 2 hours, 1 day, or 3 days, which is set at the discretion of the instructor. As long as holds have not been placed on materials, they may be renewed in person or by phone. High demand materials that are on loan for 2 hours at a time must be held for 15 minutes in case someone else needs it. 1 and 3 day materials do not require a wait period.

While you can check movies out at Hart Hall, the reserves movies are loaned out for 3 days. In order to renew them, one must either call reserves or go renew in-person. If you call in, have the barcode number ready to the item(s) you want to renew as well as the barcode number on your Student ID Card. There is no on-line renewal, so watch out for the late fees. There are a few mainstream and recently released films, but take advantage of the foreign and documentary selections which often contain obscure selections. Make sure to check if what you're renting is in VHS or DVD format.

As the signs scream out at you, have the call number ready and your Student ID Card out. Don't know the call number? Use the computers near the desk to search the reserves catalog.

Note that there are a few incompetent people working in Reserves that do not know all the policies and may hassle you and waste your time. Do not be surprised if you are given contradictory information and be prepared to deal with some bureaucracy. Should their computer system ever go down, some may insist that you have to pay fines even if you tried to renew your books.

2006-01-30 00:16:18   I took STA13 and borrowed the textbook from the reserves for an entire summer session. I had to renew the book every 3 days. Luckily, there were 3 books available and the class only had about 120 students so my book never got recalled. However, I would not advise relying on the reserves because of the hassle and the uncertainty that comes with it. If there is only one textbook available and another student puts a hold on your book, you will be out of a textbook (possibly during midterms). I ended up paying $4 because I forgot to renew the book the day before finals. —DussonYeung

2007-02-25 15:43:01   On the reserves website, there is also a link to look at old/practice exams. Of course the only exams that are listed are ones that professors have put up themselves. I would advise looking even if your professor didn't say anything about it. I was surprised to see several exams for my accounting class. —KirstenOnell

2007-02-28 01:38:25   I just thought I should point out that the link for Reserves is not just for Shields, it also encompasses HSL, PSE, MCL, etc. —KirstenOnell

2007-05-24 21:43:46   Reserves has a number of less well known resources. For instance, you can borrow a wireless card for your laptop and Faculty and Staff can borrow bicycles. —Dimitri