The University of Kansas Libraries

About E-Reserves

What is it?
Electronically accessible, full text images of articles and short book chapters, following fair use copyright guidelines.

Why Use it?
To provide students 24 hour/7 days a week access to course readings.

What are my options?

• Using Blackboard (through IDS)
• Course Packs (through KU Bookstores)
• Linking to KU's Electronic Resources
  

Using Blackboard (through IDS)

• Create a course page in Blackboard: Faculty will create a course page for each class that they want to use electronic reserves. If you are new to Blackboard – contact Instructional Development and Support (IDS) for assistance.
• Never used Blackboard? Go to Blackboard Tools and Strategies: Onsite and Online Workshops to obtain a Blackboard User Account.
• See Blackboard for info regarding creating a site
• Blackboard's FAQs
• Blackboard's Login page
• For questions regarding Blackboard, see IDS homepage or contact: ids@ku.edu.

• Determine whether the intended resources falls with the concept of "fair use"
  
  • KU Libraries can provide education on Fair Use analysis and determination
  • See Scholarly Communication at KU for more information

• Adding Library Resources (after fair use determination):
  
  • Library held resources can be added to your Blackboard account in three different ways
    • By linking directly to the electronically held version within the KU Libraries licensed electronic content.
      • Linking Directly to Electronic Resources
      • For questions regarding how to link to KU Libraries licensed electronic contact librsv@ku.edu
    • By requesting scanning and electronic delivery of library held materials (some restrictions as to length/amount may apply)
      • Submit requests through WebRetrieve, KU's Document Delivery and Interlibrary Loan request system.
      • Electronic copies are supplied within 1-3 business days. The Libraries reserve the right to decline to scan any Course Materials that it deems violates Copyright Law.
      • See WebRetrieve for more information.
    • Self-scanning of selected materials
      • The KU Libraries provides a variety of scanners that are available for patron use.
      • Checkout materials (when possible) for scanning back at your home unit/department

• How do I get copyright clearance and still use Blackboard? (But wait- I have some items that don't fall within "fair use")
  • If you plan to use blackboard for delivery of your course reserves but have determined that a selection of the content requires copyright clearance and royalty payments – the KU Bookstores can help.
    • For more information – contact the Assistant Course Materials Buyer at 785-864-2470 or email: textoffice@ku.edu

Creating Course Packs (through KU Bookstores)
Another option available for the electronic delivery of course content to the use of Course Packs. These packs can be created in both print and electronic format and are particularly useful if items for your course do not fall within the provisions of the "fair use" exemption.

• Submit course pack requests through KU Bookstore, see "Custom Course Packs" on the Faculty Adoption page
  • For info about Custom Course packs (What are they?, How do I request?) see View more Custom Publishing Information
  • Custom Course Pack request form
  • For questions about Custom Course Packs, contact the Assistant Course Materials Buyer at 785-864-2470 or email: textoffice@ku.edu

Placing an Item on Print Reserve

• See On-Site Course Reserves for Instructors
• For questions regarding On-Site Reserves, see a Reserves Service Liaison

Frequently asked Questions about Blackboard and E-reserves

You didn't use to require a Blackboard coursesite, why are you doing this?
We made the decision because of copyright issues that have occurred on other campuses. Using Blackboard to provide access to e-reserve readings will better protect the rights of copyright owners and limit any liability on the part of the University.

How does this benefit me and my students, especially if I haven't found Blackboard useful in the past?
Use of Blackboard is very high on campus and most students are familiar with it. If you maintain your own class website you can simply activate a basic Blackboard coursesite for your readings, and provide a link to the Blackboard login page from your main class website. You can also make it easier for your students to find your non-Blackboard website by putting a link to it in your Blackboard site.

Does the Library take care of my Blackboard coursesite for me?
No – but we do provide some level of support

If I'm using Blackboard anyway, can I just link or upload my own scanned articles directly to Blackboard myself?
Of course! If you would like the Library to do some of the scanning for you, you can use our document delivery service to request that scans of library materials be sent to you. Or you can link to existing content (which is almost always better than rescanning the article), but be sure you follow directions on creating links that will work for off campus users. Bear in mind that the same copyright laws apply for e-reserves, regardless of whether you or the Library is doing the scanning and uploading. Go to the Scholarly Communication website for more information.


WARNING CONCERNING COPYRIGHT COMPLIANCE
The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, United States Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of copyrighted materials. Under certain circumstances specified in the law, libraries and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or other reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be "used for any purpose other than private study, scholarship or research." If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of "fair use," that user may be liable for copyright infringement. This institution reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order, if in its judgment, fulfillment of the order would involve violation of the Copyright law.