Library changing Reserve services

eserve reading services of the Biological Sciences Library and the Physical Sciences and Engineering Library will move to the Du Bois Library this fall. The consolidation of the Reserve services into one location will increase the hours in which the materials are available to users. Hours in the Du Bois Library are the longest of the three facilities, and Reserve materials are available whenever the Library is open.

     The Library conducted a successful electronic reserves pilot test in 2001-02, and the use of electronic reserves will increase in the coming year. The combination of increased hours for traditional reserves and the expansion of electronic reserves will improve reserves service and access, despite staffing reductions, according to Library officials.

     Reserve materials typically include books, journal articles, audio-visual re-sources, and other class-related items made available for short-term loan. Electronic reserve materials, such as journal articles, book chapters, course syllabuses and assignments, are available 24 hours a day, seven days a week from anywhere in the world. Users may view and print or save their reserve readings for later use. Access to these materials is limited to authorized UMass Amherst users. A new scanning department in the Library will support the efficient digitization of both electronic reserves and document delivery materials.

     To place materials on reserve (traditional and electronic), faculty are urged to use the online request forms (www.library.umass.edu/reserve.html), and to submit electronic files where possible. Faculty members can continue to drop off printed and digital materials in person at all libraries as well.

     No changes are anticipated in the Fine Arts Center Music Reserve Lab because of the specialized equipment needs in that facility.

     Reserve reading lists are available in the online catalog (umlibr.library.umass.edu/), and can be searched by instructor name or course. Course reserves are located on the third floor of the Du Bois Library.

     For information, contact Charlene Pasternak at 5-2358 or visit the related Web site (www.library.umass.edu/reserve.html).

     For more information about electronic reserves, contact Janet Hughes at 5-6875 or check online (ereserves.library.umass.edu/).