Textbooks/Course Reserves for Faculty

Due to the holiday break, requests submitted Dec. 20, 2024 - Jan. 5, 2025 will be processed on Jan. 6, 2025.

Library Reading List self-service course reserves request tool is now available with an updated user interface in Canvas. Please review our Quick Start Guide for step-by-step instructions on creating your course reserves reading lists.

New tool:
Library Reading List

Features:

  • Add e-resources: e-books, book chapters, journal articles, Open Educational Resources (OER), & more
  • Add physical books, DVDs & personal copies for Library checkout
  • Upload your own files
  • Organize readings, modify, and re-use them in future semesters

Benefits:

  • Compile items from the Library, web & personal files in one shareable link
  • Share current availability & location for library items within your course
  • Organize & re-use lists in future semesters
  • Create reading lists with other instructors
  • Diversify curriculum with a variety of formats

Course Readings & Reserves

UTSA Libraries work with faculty to provide easy access to course readings such as e-textbooks, digital reserves, or print reserves

Current Courses 

Add Readings 

Faculty can use the Library Reading List self-service Canvas tool to quickly create online course reading lists and place print readings on library reserve. 

Important: Extra processing time is required for print copies and new requests. Please plan accordingly to ensure readings are accessible to students when needed. 

Use Library Reading List Now 

Request New Items

Faculty should also use the Library Reading List tool to request new items for course reserves, including e-books and films. The Libraries will either confirm access or provide alternate options. We prioritize the purchase of online formats over print copies and have a robust collection of e-books and online films licensed to use in your courses.

Turnaround for newly requested items varies from one day to several weeks. To ensure items will be available to your class on time, request as early as possible. Once your request has been received, library staff will explore access options and acquire if available, communicating with you throughout the process.

How to Request New Items

Future Courses 

Need to request a new item for a future course? Email libreserve@utsa.edu with your request.

E-books on Reserves

The Libraries do everything we can to license e-books or e-textbooks that can be added directly to your Library Reading List in Canvas. However, we are not able to purchase every textbook, nor are we able get every textbook as an e-book. Please note that there are variable ways e-books can be accessed. Not all e-books have unlimited simultaneous users, and some e-books cannot be downloaded. Some e-books are only available for limited-time digital checkouts. For more information, refer to our Statement on Textbooks.

  • Only faculty may submit requests for print books to be placed on Digital Reserves.
  • Not every textbook can be made available digitally.
  • Library staff will share a link with the faculty member to add to their Library Reading List. 

Items We Cannot Place on Reserves

Items that cannot be placed on reserve include:

  • Materials belonging to another library (e.g., books borrowed from another library)
  • Film copies lacking consent of the copyright holder
  • Rare or very fragile items