Course reserves is a collection of materials, consisting primarily of books, requested by faculty for use by their students. This material is available to DUNY student, faculty, staff and administrators only. Faculty and instructors are encouraged to place course material on reserve to support the needs of students who may not have access to required readings. Reserves are held behind the Circulation Desk at the entrance of the Sullivan Library.
Information for Students
How to Search for Course Reserves
Course reserves can be found in the Sullivan Library Catalog. Once in the catalog, click “Reserves Desk” to search for reserves. You can do the following to check and see if your book or textbook is available.
- Search by your instructor’s last name (example: Smith)
- Search by course number (example: CH 111)
- Search by course name (example: Introduction to Chemistry)
You can always search the Sullivan Library Catalog for the title or author of the book, as well.
If you are having trouble searching in the Reserves Desk call 845-848-7505. You can always come in person to the circulation desk to ask for help. Make sure you have at least one of the following pieces of information: your professors name, course name, course code, title of the book or the author's name.
Common Course Reserves Questions from DUNY Students
- Can I take reserves outside the library? How long is the borrowing period for reserves? Is there an overdue fee?
All reserve material is for reference use only and may not be taken outside the library. One reserve item may be checked out for a total of three hours. View our Borrow, Renew, Request page for details on loan periods and fines.
- What if a book is not on reserve?
The library does not provide books for every class taught at Dominican University. If we do not have your book on reserve, ask your instructor or department to send the library the book to put on reserve for students. You can also place a suggested purchase request our Borrow, Renew, Request page.
- Are ebooks available on reserve?
At present we only offer physical books on reserve.
Information for Faculty and Instructors
Items from the library's collection may be placed on reserve. Search the Sullivan Library Catalog to see if the library holds your required book or text. Personal or department-owned items may also be placed on reserve. If the library or instructor does not own a title, the library may consider purchasing the item. Please indicate if an item should be purchased by completing the Course Reserves form.
How to Submit Requests
- Fill out our Course Reserves webform. Your request will be directly emailed to the library.
or
- Download our fillable PDF Course Reserves Form. Completed forms may be emailed to reserves@duny.edu or printed and brought in person to the circulation desk.
or
- Complete a paper form in person at the circulation desk.
When to Submit Forms and Materials
The following deadlines are encouraged to ensure that items will be on reserve at the start of the semester:
- Fall before August 15th
- Winter session before November 15th
- Spring before December 15th
- Summer before May 15th
Please allow three days for processing. Material is processed in the order received. The library will accept forms and materials after the deadlines, but there may be processing delays.
If making a suggested purchase request, the library cannot say with certainty when the item will be shipped from the vendor. Generally, in stock material arrives within 2-3 weeks of purchase. Out of stock material will take longer to arrive.
How to Reactivate
Course reserves must be reactivated each academic calendar year. Please resubmit requests before the above deadlines to ensure items will be available at the start of the semester.
Restrictions
Items may be refused due to condition, restriction, copyright or other considerations. We cannot accept the following: Items with labels such as Instructor's Edition, Desk Copy, Examination Edition, or Publisher's Review Copy.
Although the Sullivan Library accepts personal books and other materials, the library cannot be held responsible for their loss or damage. Please note we add a sticker to the spine of a book. If you do not wish to have a sticker placed on your book, please let us know.
Removal of Reserves Material
Items will be removed from the reserves collection at the end of the designated semester. Instructors will be notified via email to pick up personal material. Alternative arrangements for pick-up or delivery to department can be requested by emailing or calling the circulation desk. If personal items are not picked up four weeks after notification, the items will be delivered to the instructor's department.
It is the responsibility of the instructor to notify the library if an item removed from reserves should be added to the reserve collection in future semesters.
Reserves Policy Statement
To streamline the use of course reserves materials by your students, please consider adding the following statement in your syllabi:
Some material for this course is available at the Sullivan Library. Reserves are located behind the circulation desk. Please come prepared to the desk with either the title of the book, the course name or number, or the instructor's last name so a library staff may aid in retrieving the material. Reserves may be borrowed for up to three hours and cannot be taken outside of the library. To borrow course reserves, please have your DUNY-Card available. Due to the demand for these materials, renewal is not automatic and may be denied if other patrons have requested the item. Fines will be charged if you exceed the three hour borrowing period.