Student FAQ

• What is Reserve and where is it?
• What are the procedures for Reserve?
• How are items placed on Reserve?
• Where do I find Reserve items for Science, Art, and Conservatory classes?
• What if OBIS tells me that the item I need is checked out?
• How many items may I check out from Reserve?
• How long may I keep Reserve materials?
• Can I take Reserve materials out of the library?
• When can I keep a Reserve item overnight?
• Can I renew Reserve materials?
• How do I return Reserve materials?
• What happens if I return a Reserve item late?
• Why are the loan periods short and the fines high?

What is Reserve and where is it?

Reserve materials include required and recommended reading for approximately 180 classes and EXCOs. Because they are in high demand these materials are kept at the Circulation Desk.

What are the procedures for Reserve?

Reserve materials are available whenever the Circulation Desk is open. You must present your Oberlin College ID in order to check out reserve materials. No exceptions will be made.

How are items placed on Reserve?

Faculty and EXCO instructors are required to submit lists of items they wish to have placed on Reserve for their classes. Lists must be received 2 weeks prior to the start of the semester so that the Reserve staff may process items for the first day of class. Professors and instructors may also request that additional items be placed on reserve throughout the semester. Lists and rush requests are processed in the order they are received. Late lists or delayed requests may result in materials being unavailable when students need them. If you feel that an item is not on Reserve that should be on Reserve you can either speak with your professor/instructor about requesting the item or request the item yourself. The desk assistant can help you in locating the proper forms by which to file this type of request.

Where do I find Reserve items for Science, Art, and Conservatory classes?

The Science, Art, and Conservatory libraries all have their own reserves. Most classes in those divisions will house their reserves in their respective library. OBIS will also tell you which library the item you are looking for is housed in.

What if OBIS tells me that the item I need is checked out?

If the item you are looking for is checked out, ask the desk assistant to place the item on "Do Not Renew." Doing this will prevent the person who currently has the item checked out from renewing it; the desk assistant will hold the material at the desk for 15 minutes after it is returned. Note: reserve materials are available on a first-come-first-served basis and staff cannot hold reserve items for specific patrons. If you need a certain item, check at the Circulation Desk around the time the item is due to be returned.

How many items may I check out from Reserve?

You may check out two items that are on Reserve. This means that if you have two reserve items from the Science, Art, or Conservatory library you will not be able to check out additional items from the Main Library until you have returned one of the other items.

How long may I keep Reserve materials?

Most items circulate for three hours. Some items are have loan periods of 1 hour, 5 hours, 24 hours, three days, or one-week. The loan period is noted on a sticker attached to every item. It is important to note the loan period when you check out items from Reserve to avoid fines.

Can I take Reserve materials out of the library?

For most materials, when you check something out from Reserve you may take it anywhere you like as long as you return it within the specified loan period. Some video materials are limited to library use only; these are indicated in OBIS with the location Main Reserve (Mudd building use only).

When can I keep a Reserve item overnight?

Overnight privileges vary depending on the loan period of the item. For most materials, Sunday through Thursday overnight checkout begins after 11:00pm for print materials and 9:00pm for videos; materials are due back at 10:00am the following morning. On Friday and Saturday nights overnight checkout begins after 7:00pm for print materials and 5:00pm for videos; materials are due back the next morning at 11:00am. Please ask the desk assistant about the due date and time if you have any questions.

Can I renew Reserve materials?

Yes. You may renew an item as long as no other patron has requested a "Do Not Renew" hold on it. In the event that you wish to renew an item on which a hold has been placed, you must wait until 15 minutes after the time the item was returned before you may check it out again. Reserve materials cannot be renewed over the phone; you must renew in person at the Circulation Desk.

How do I return Reserve materials?

Reserve materials should be returned to the Circulation Desk. If the Library is closed, you may return items to the outside book drop (located a the top of the ramp), and they will be checked in when the Library opens in the morning. It is a good idea to return materials to the book drop if you will be reading late into the night but will not be able to get to the library in the morning.

What happens if I return a Reserve item late?

The fine for returning Reserve materials late is $2 per hour, per item. You will receive email notice of fines. If you believe you have been fined in error you may file an appeal of the fine or receive a half off discount up until the date printed on the fine notice. Appeals should be written on the back of the notice and handed to the desk assistant at the Circulation Desk. Fine payments are accepted at the Circulation Desk.

Why are the loan periods short and the fines high?

Our circulation policies, loan periods, and fines have been implemented to ensure the availability of these high demand materials.

If you have additional questions abour Reserve materials, please ask at the Circulation Desk or send an email message to: reserve.main@oberlin.edu.

Note: Reserve policies in the Art, Conservatory, and Science Libraries may differ.