Electronic Reserves: Change is Our Constant Companion

Abstract

Long a core activity in academic access services units, library reserves are currently undergoing a major paradigm shift in philosophy, function and task. Moving from place-bound print and audiovisual collections to internet-accessible electronic documents and more recently new media, the function and task of reserve units continues to evolve. Driven by technology and user expectations, the word "Reserves" no longer simply means providing supplementary hardcopy materials and scanned readings for a course.

While some units across the country are expanding to include various emerging technologies and methods of delivery, such as streaming video, others are scaling back or discontinuing their services altogether. Questions about copyright compliance and licensing restrictions, the relationship of e-reserves to course management systems, and how to manage drastically decreased budgets and staffing are leading many institutions towards a new appraisal of what e-reserves is, and should be in the future.

In this session, two regional campus librarians will discuss broad issues surrounding electronic reserves and provide some examples of how units are dealing with document requests, delivery, storage and management in this changing environment. We will also discuss innovative pilot projects underway and approaches currently in practice at the University of Washington. Audience members will leave this session with a broader understanding and perspective on the major changes occurring in e-reserves, along with practical ideas for managing their own operations.