Skip to Main Content
It looks like you're using Internet Explorer 11 or older. This website works best with modern browsers such as the latest versions of Chrome, Firefox, Safari, and Edge. If you continue with this browser, you may see unexpected results.

Copyright & Fair Use

This guide provides a general overview of copyright issues.

For Students

Course reserves are items put on reserve by a professor for temporary use usually for a specific current semester course. Such items can then be checked out from the Information Desk for the period of time dictated by the professor’s request.

Course Reserves and Copyright

The purpose of the Course Reserves collection is to provide students access to supplementary course materials assigned by faculty and/or adjunct.

Copyright and Fair Use restrictions apply. Library services will be provided in a manner that respects Fair Use rights, the rights of copyright holders, and current copyright law.

Copyright Guidelines for Course Reserves are considered in compliance with U.S. Code: Title 17, Section 107 governing Fair Use (see Sec. 107 - Limitations on Exclusive Rights: Fair Use below). Specifically, any reproduction — either photocopied or electronic — of copyrighted material that is placed on reserve will conform to the following:

  • Materials placed on reserve will be made available for students only while the requesting instructor is actually teaching the course, and will be removed from reserve at the end of the semester.

For Instructors

Faculty may place personal or Library materials on reserve for the current semester when a course is taught. Faculty must fill out the Library Reserves Request Form and submit electronically.

For Faculty and Adjunct Professors

For additional information and guidance, please review the Copyright & Fair Use resources provided in collaboration with Widener University and its policies.

Placing Materials on Reserve

  • Instructors may place personal or Library materials on reserve for the current semester when a course is taught.
  • Instructors must fill out the Library Reserves Request Form and submit electronically. Personal materials should be brought to Susan Giusti. Please allow adequate time for processing.
  • Copyright restrictions apply. Librarians can assist with determining if material requires copyright permission. Copyrighted material can be used on reserves without permission for one semester only. Permission from the publisher will be required for any subsequent uses of the material. 
  • If the library does not own a desired book, you may request a "rush" order to be placed for acquisition. 2-6 weeks may be needed for this process. Please discuss acquisition requests with Susan Giusti.
  • Items that cannot be placed on Reserve:
    • Photocopies which do not meet "fair-use" guidelines
    • Articles from the Harvard Business Review
    • Interlibrary Loan Books and Videos / Materials from other libraries
    • Rental Materials
    • Reference Books (except with Reference Department approval)
    • Bound or current periodical (except by approval of Librarian)
  • Personal copies of books or other materials may be placed on reserve. The Library will take all normal precautions for the safety of personal items but cannot be responsible for abuse or loss of materials by students.
  • All materials will be removed from reserve at the end of each semester and returned to stacks and items owned by instructors will be returned to the instructor. Renewal for the following semester must be requested prior to the end of the course.

Please direct any Reserves questions to Susan Giusti.