Using Course Reserves at the USM Libraries
A USM Card must be presented in order to check out physical reserve materials. In addition, please have the course number/ prefix and instructor’s name with you to request reserve materials.
Course reserve materials include:
- Physical items – textbooks and other items available for 2-hour, in-library checkout, at the library on the campus where the course meets
- Ebooks – Save money on textbooks and course materials. The Libraries provides a list of free required course materials available for USM students to read online and to checkout.
- E-reserves – may include scanned book chapters and articles, and are available online through Ares (which can be linked to Brightspace courses upon request)
Explanation of how to access Electronic Reserves and Physical Reserves
Electronic Reserves – Sign into MyUSM portal. Click on USM Quick Links. Click on USM Course Reserves (ARES). Find your courses and add them to your ARES main page. (Have your course number handy, e.g. ENG 102, BIO 101).
Physical Reserves – Go to the campus Library (Portland, Gorham, or LAC) where your faculty member has placed the item on reserve. You can check out the item, usually for 2 hours, for use in the Library.
Textbooks on Reserve – Check here to see if a textbook for your course is on reserve, and at which Library location. Bring your USM ID to the Library’s Access Services desk to checkout a textbook on reserve for 2 hour in-Library use.
Information about Textbooks
The USM Libraries, with the support of the Student Government and support of the Provost, purchase many of the Level 100 & 200 course Textbooks. These textbooks can be checked out at the Circulation desk of each campus for a period of 2 hours, and must be used in the library.
To see if the Libraries has your text, check the URSUS Library Catalog or just Ask A Librarian!
Faculty – Placing Materials on Reserve
Course Reserves are class-related materials selected by faculty to support the university’s academic programs.
Hard Copy Reserve materials may include:
- Books from the Library’s collections
- Faculty member’s personal copy of books.
- Audio/visual materials
Electronic Reserve materials may include:
- Articles
- Copies of non-copyright materials, such as class notes, tests, etc.
- Videos (must be owned by the library – visit the Video and Media for more information.
The library staff strives to process all faculty requests for course reserves in a timely manner and in conformance to copyright law, as required by the General Counsel.
Instructors must complete the Reserve Form above and submit it to the Circulation desk at the Glickman Family Library (Portland) , the Gorham Campus Library, or the LAC Library. Copies of the form are also available at the service desks at each of these libraries. Library staff will pull library owned books or media items from the Library shelves for placement on Reserves.
Personal items or any reproductions of materials to be placed on Reserves must be delivered in person to the library or emailed to usm.reserves@maine.edu. The Library must have a completed Reserve form for any emailed items sent to Reserve. Emailed items must include all of the requested information listed below. When completing the form, the expiration date, office room number, and email address are important. This information is used to ensure timely removal and return of materials to the faculty member. Incomplete forms are held with the materials until complete information is obtained from the professor.
Provide all requested information for each item to be placed on reserve:
- Complete citation for each journal article the student is expected to read.
- Complete citation for each chapter excerpted from a complete work.
- Complete citation for all personal books provided.
- All photocopied items MUST include a copy of the original copyright statement from the photocopied work (see section 108(a) (3) of U.S. Copyright Law).
Copyright for reserves:
- All reserve materials must comply with copyright laws. See our Copyright Policies page for more information.
Removal of Materials from Reserve
All materials are removed from Reserve at the end of the semester. Personal copies, including all file folders, are returned to faculty at this time. Unless otherwise requested, the address listed on the Reserve form will be used to mail materials. The Library is not responsible for lost or damaged personal items placed on Reserves. Questions about Reserves
Course Reserve Information
For questions or assistance with course reserves, contact the Reserves Staff.