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Barker Library Course Reserves: Student Questions

See also: Faculty Questions/Putting Items on Reserve

1. How do I get to Barker Library?

   To get to Barker Engineering Library, you take the elevator in Building 10 to the 5th floor. The location of Barker Engineering Library is Building 10-500.

2. How do I find materials on reserve?

   You can find the call numbers of materials on reserve by using the reserves search in the Barton Catalog . Reserve materials for courses 1, 2, 6 and 16 are kept behind the Barker Service Desk. The staff at the Service Desk can retrieve them for you.

3. What kinds of materials are on reserve?

   The reserve collection includes books, videos, CD- and DVD-ROMs, course readers, and any other materials an instructor has requested that we set aside for a course.

4. What if something that’s supposed to be on reserve for a class isn’t listed in Barton?

   Please check with the staff at the Service Desk. Especially for joint courses, the reserves may be held at a different library.

5. How long can I take out a reserve item?

   You can take out a reserve item for 2 hours. If you need the item for longer, you may be able to renew it (see question 8 below).

6. How many reserve items can be checked out at once?

   You can check out as many reserve items as you want. Keep in mind that items will only go out for 2 hours, and that other students may be waiting for the materials.

7. Do reserve materials go out overnight?

   They go out overnight 2 hours before Barker Library closes (see our hours). They must be returned or renewed within one hour of the Library opening the next day.

8. Can reserve materials be renewed? Can I renew them indefinitely?

   Reserve materials may be renewed for 2 hours if no one else is waiting to use them. You can renew by calling the Barker Service Desk (617.253.5661) or through Your Account. There is a 3-renewal limit on all reserve material.

9. What happens if I return or renew an item later than the date and time due?

   There is a significant fine for overdue reserve materials - see the Course Reserves page on the Circulation FAQ. There is a 15 minute grace period for reserve materials.

10. Can I place a hold on a reserve item? Why not?

    No. Reserve items are available on a first come, first served basis. Reserve items need to be available to all students at all times. If a reserve item you wish to see is out circulating, contact the Barker Service Desk (617.253.5661) to block renewal of that item.

11. Can reserve items be returned at any library service desk or in the book return in Lobby 10, like regular 30 day loans?

    No, reserve items must be returned to the service desk of the library that they were borrowed from. They cannot be returned in the book return in Lobby 10, even if the library is closed.

12. I’ve heard that the Libraries are involved in the Online Textbook Information (OTI) project. What does that mean for me?

    The Online Text Information project makes textbook information available in Stellar, providing students with an easy means to identify the required textbooks for their courses as soon as possible. When a reserve list is submitted to the Libraries, textbook information for that course is updated in Stellar. By clicking on the book icon next to the course in the Stellar Course Guide, you can see the required and recommended texts for the course.