Library Main Research Page: Course Reserves Requests

General Copyright Policies for Protected Materials on Reserve at MSOE

The MSOE library acts in compliance with Copyright Law (Title 17, U.S.C.). As a non-profit educational library, we have the right to fair use of copyrighted material. We reserve the right to change our policies at any time to ensure that we are in compliance with the law.

Legal counsel for the MSOE Library recommends the following general copyright policies for use by the Library:

• Copyright-protected materials can be placed on Reserve only at the initiative of faculty for noncommercial, educational use by their students.
• The amount of copyright-protected material placed on Reserve should be reasonable in relation to the total amount of material assigned for one term of one course.
• Library Reserves are not to take the place of a purchased textbook or course-pack on which royalties have been paid to the copyright holder.
• Copyright-protected materials on Reserve generally are intended to supplement the other materials assigned for the course and not to serve in lieu of any other materials.
• Copyright-protected materials on Reserve should contain a notice of copyright.
• The effect of copying protected materials for Library Reserves should not be detrimental to the market for those materials.
• Articles obtained through interlibrary loan cannot be placed on Electronic Reserve.
• The Library cannot repeatedly place photocopies or other items that belongs to a faculty member on reserve.
• The Library will not charge fees for creating, maintaining, and disseminating Reserve materials to students.
• The Library in general will not make multiple copies of a Reserve item but may elect to do so if unique circumstances–such as class size–reasonably suggest the need for additional copies.
• The Library reserves the right to enforce these policies.

These guidelines were created in conjunction with the Michael Best & Friedrich law firm.

What may be placed on Reserve?

During each term, items can be placed on either Electronic Reserve OR Print Reserve- not both.

Are there items that may not be placed on Reserve?

• Since reserves are meant to supplement course material, textbooks and/or course-packs that take the place of a main text may not be placed on reserve.
• Articles available through the library's databases should not be placed on electronic reserve. Instead, please link to articles available through library databases in Canvas.
• Copies of entire books or periodicals cannot be placed on reserve.
• Articles obtained via Interlibrary Loan cannot be placed on reserve.
• Copyright-protected materials may not be placed on reserve during consecutive quarters unless permission has been obtained in writing from the copyright holder or unless the appropriate licensing has been purchased. Materials not protected by copyright may be repeatedly placed on reserve.

How many items can I have on Reserve?

• Copyright-protected materials – A total of 9 items, in any combination (4 books, 3 articles, 2 videos = 9 items)
• Non-copyrighted materials – Unlimited

Can I use course reserves to replace a textbook for my course?
No, course reserves are supplemental and must not take the place of a purchased textbook or course-pack.

Do I need to fill out a reserve request form each quarter?
Yes, we need to maintain records for reserves for each quarter. Please fill out the Library Reserve Request Form each quarter.

Can I make my own reserve area on my personal website or on Canvas?
Whether or not other materials can be placed on a personal website or on Canvas depends on the copyright status of the materials – feel free to contact the Library for guidance.
Generally:

• Copyright-protected materials may not be placed on a personal website or on Canvas.
• Materials created by the faculty member (course notes, practice sets, etc.) may be placed on a personal website or on Canvas.

Why is the library allowed to place copyrighted materials on electronic reserve?
As a not-for-profit educational institution the library enjoys an explicit right under Section 108 of Title 17, US Copyright Law, to make in-copyright items available through electronic reserves.