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Course Reserves Policies

Your instructor may have placed books or other items “on reserve” in the Library so that all members of your class may have access to them. Reserve items are held at the Circulation Desk.

  • Go to the Circulation Desk – by the front doors on the first floor of the library.
  • Ask a circulation worker to assist you in locating the reserve item(s) you need. 
  • Tell the worker:
    1. the name of your instructor, and
    2. the name of the item you are requesting.
  • You can only check out two reserve items at a time.
  • You will need your DBU ID card in order to check out these items.
  • One-hour and 3-hour items may not be taken from the Library.
  • Return reserve items to the basket on the circulation desk. Please do not place them in the book drops.  When possible, tell the person on duty that you have returned the item. 

There are five different kinds of reserves, based on the length of time you're allowed to keep the item.  The time frame is usually decided by the professor, and depends on how many copies there are, and how long it may take to use them.  Here are the checkout periods:

Period

Restrictions

Explanation

Examples

1 hour

Library use only

Must be used in library and returned within one hour; must be returned 15 min. before the library closes

Out: Monday, 9:30 a.m.
Due: Monday, 10:30 a.m.

3 hour

Library use only

Must be used in library and returned within three hours; must be returned 15 min. before the library closes

Out: Monday, 9:30 a.m.
Due: Monday, 12:30 p.m.

1 day

May leave library

May be checked out any time, but returned by closing time the next day

Out: Monday, 9:30 a.m.
Due: Tuesday, 11:45 p.m.

3 day

May leave library

May be checked out any time, but  returned by closing time on the 3rd day

Out: Monday, 9:30 a.m.
Due: Thursday, 11:45 p.m.

8 day

May leave library

May be checked out any time, but returned by closing time on the 8th day

Out: Monday, 9:30 a.m.
Due: Tuesday of the next week, 11:45 p.m.

NOTE: For 3-day and 8-day checkout periods, the checkout day and any days when the library is closed will not be counted. Please return all reserve materials at least 15 minutes before the library closes.

Fines for reserve items are much more severe than normal, because the items are usually required for specific classes.  Some reserve items may belong to the professor, rather than the university.  Here are the fines for reserve materials: 

  • 1-hour or 3-hour reserves: $0.25 per hour or portion of hour
  • 1-, 3-, or 8-day reserves: $1.00 per day