Course Readings Services for Instructors

Our Team is ready:

  • to work with you to identify materials in our extensive digital collections that support course reading lists
  • enable access in Brightspace via the Library electronic system, Ares to any content that exists in a digital format, such as e-books, journal articles, streaming media, and other digital materials
  • ensure that all materials posted in Ares are copyright and AODA compliant and will do its best to negotiate copyright clearance for any items that exceed these

Guidelines

PROCESSING TIME

At the beginning of each term: 10-15 business days.

Lists are processed in order of receipt. Please note: Due to the number of requests submitted before the beginning of each term, our policy is to process the first 3-4 weeks of readings initially, and then add the remaining readings in advance of the reading date.

At other times of the year: 1-2 business days

LOAN PERIODS

The default loan period on course readings is three (3) hours. If you would like a longer loan period on select items (24 hours or 48 hours), please indicate this in ‘Special Instructions’.

INSTRUCTOR COPIES

In the ‘Special Instructions’ box, please indicate if any items are personal copies, which can be dropped off at the Ask Us desk. The Library is not responsible for the damage and/or loss of personal material placed on Reserve.

COPYRIGHT

Materials that are copied for short-term loan must be in accordance with the Copyright Act and the University’s Fair Dealing Policy.

Ares Support and Instructions

Instructors can also add and manage readings in their courses. Follow these instructions.

Student access to course readings

Student readings will be made available in Brightspace. If you submit a course reading request, library staff will set up the ‘Course Readings’ module in Brightspace and students will be able to access their readings directly from their course site.

A note about e-textbooks and their alternatives

Most of the major textbook publishers — Pearson, Cengage, Houghton, McGraw Hill, Oxford University Press Canada Textbooks, Elsevier Imprints, Thieme — simply do not sell e-textbooks to libraries.

 This means that for courses that have adopted textbooks from these publishers, students who do not purchase the textbook have no alternative access to the textbook contents.

The Library works with instructors to explore and identify viable textbook alternatives, including:  

  • Creating an online course pack through Ares by:
    • Posting individual book chapters or excerpts and scanned copies of the content, subject to copyright limitations. Copyright permission will be sought where feasible in cases where the excerpt falls outside of fair dealing guidelines.
    • Linking to content from the library’s existing collection of electronic resources (e-books, journal articles, streaming media, and other digital materials) or acquiring new content whenever possible.
  • Using an existing e-book in the relevant subject area from the library’s e-book collection or requesting that the library purchase one. Many academic e-books are not considered textbooks and are therefore available to purchase.
  • Adopting an open educational resource (OER). OERs are freely available educational materials, including textbooks, that are openly licensed to allow for re-use and modification by instructors. Our Librarians can work with instructors to help find the right OER for your course.

Questions?

Contact us via email at reserve@brocku.ca