Reserves Instructions for Students

To Find Course Reserves For Your Class

From your course Canvas page, select "Course Materials @ Penn Libraries" in the navigation list on the left.  If your instructor has set up a reading list using library resources, it will appear there.

To Access Print Reserves

The largest reserve collection is located on the 1st floor at the Van Pelt Circulation Desk.

Each departmental library (Museum, Fine Arts, Biotech, Chemistry, Math/Physics/Astronomy, Vet, Dental) also has its own reserve collection. Check with the library for the exact location.

Most physical books that are on reserve are available for a student to borrow for a limited amount of time (typically 2-3 hours) and must be used within the library where the course reserve is located.

To Access Electronic Reserves

The Libraries provides access to reserve material electronically. Journal articles, book excerpts and other materials are scanned and made available through Canvas.

If you are having difficulty accessing course readings which your instructor has put on electronic reserve, review the following hints.

To Add Course Reserves Materials

Ask your instructor to add materials via the Course Materials @ Penn Libraries link in Canvas or to contact the appropriate library reserve department to place materials on reserve, whether physical or electronic. Please note that instructors should allow a week for new requests to be processed, and that only requests submitted by the deadline are guaranteed to be available by the first week of classes.