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Course Reserves

Course reserves are class-specific items that are set aside for limited borrowing or that must stay in the Library.

Course Reserves

Contact Information

Contact: Mark Geis, Public Services Manager
Phone: 618-374-5073
Email: mark.geis@principia.edu

Course Reserves and Copyright

Course materials may be placed on reserve at the Marshall Brooks Library. The library follows fair use provisions outlined in U.S. copyright law and reserves the right to refuse materials if they deem that those materials exceed fair use and constitute copyright infringement.

Physical Reserves

To place items on physical reserve, please bring them to the library circulation desk and fill out a reserve form. Forms are also available online.  In order to have material on reserve for the first week of classes, requests must be submitted at least one week prior to the beginning of the semester.  During the semester, two full business days are required for processing.

Physical Reserve Form

Please contact the library circulation desk (618) 374-5235 with questions about reserves.

Use this link to see what is currently on reserve.

What can be placed on reserve:

  • Books in their original format that are legally owned by the Marshall Brooks Library or a faculty member
  • Media in its original format that is legally owned by the Marshall Brooks Library or a faculty member
  • Works or sections of works in the public domain
  • Works or sections of works produced by the U.S. government
  • Portions of books, journal articles, and other print resources that fall within "fair use"
  • Materials created by the instructor for the course
  • Copyrighted materials for which the instructor has obtained permission and supplied written documentation of that permission

The following items likely constitute copyright infringement and are generally not placed on reserve:

  • Consumables, such as workbooks
  • Course packs
  • Personally reproduced versions of copyrighted films, television programs, documentaries, sound recordings, etc.
  • Excessive portions of copyrighted works that exceed fair use
  • Works prohibited by licensing restrictions
  • Interlibrary loan materials (ILL or I-Share)
  • Materials borrowed by professors from other libraries
  • Special collections materials

Permission to place reproduced journal articles or book chapters on reserve for multiple semesters requires obtaining written copyright permission from the copyright holder.

Circulation Desk Closed Reserves

Due to space restrictions, closed reserves will be limited to 10 books or 20 DVDs per course. 

All closed reserves require a Principia photo ID card to be borrowed.  Check-out periods are two hours for print materials and three hours for audio-visual materials.  Overdue items are subject to a $1 per hour fine.  Closed reserve types include:

  • Two-hour reserve without overnight option
  • Two-hour reserve with overnight option
  • DVD/VHS three-hour reserve without overnight option
  • DVD/VHS three-hour reserve with overnight option

Reference Room Open Reserves

Open reserves permit a maximum of 20 items per course for use in the library only.  Open reserves do not require check-out at the circulation desk; however, items must be returned to the Reference Room following use.

Marshall Brooks Library will do the following regarding course reserves:

  • Place requested material on reserve for the educational use of students
  • Remove access to reserve material when the class ends