Course Reserves

Instructors place required and recommended course materials on reserve to ensure student access throughout the term. Course reserve items can be physical or electronic.

• Physical items are held at and checked out from the Galter Library Circulation Desk for a limited loan period. Search for physical reserves by title in our online catalog.
• Electronic items are accessed through your course site in Canvas.  Click "Course Reserves" in your course's navigation bar to view available materials.

For Faculty and Teaching Assistants

Required Textbooks

When advised of required course textbook titles in our collections, Galter Library typically places a copy on reserve. While instructors may submit personal copies, the library makes every effort to purchase needed materials.  If the library does not own the content you need, you can request a purchase or connect with a librarian to discuss options.

Limitations & Copyright

Articles and books obtained from Interlibrary Loan may not be placed on course reserve.  Scanned excerpts are limited to a chapter or two of any single book, but no more than 15% of an entire book. For instructors who would like to use an item that does not meet the above guidelines, library staff will evaluate the request's feasibility and reply to the request. 

See more on copyright limitations on Northwestern University Library's Copyright Guide.

Video Digitization Services

The Galter Library does not offer video digitization services directly. Feinberg faculty who need to create online streaming video from VHS and DVD sources, or who need assistance with editing video content, should contact the Mitchell Multimedia Center at the University Library in Evanston.