Reserve Collection

What is the Reserve Collection?

The Reserve Collection contains heavy demand materials, such as books, photocopies, old exams and A/V material, which are selected by the instructor for use by their students. The Library does not purchase textbooks; it carries only those that are supplied or donated by academic departments or instructors. The Reserve Collection is located behind the Circulation Desk and this collection has shorter circulation periods so that everyone in the class gets a chance to use them. Items are checked out on a first come, first served basis.

How long can reserve items be checked out?

The loan period is determined by the instructor and most items are 2 hour loans. Other loan periods are:

For General Reserve materials, there is an overdue reserve fine of $2.00 per day per item. For 2-hour Reserve materials, the fine is $2.00 per hour per item. The fine must be paid before you may borrow additional items.

How do I find out what is on reserve?

There is a binder at the Circulation Desk that contains a complete listing of what is on Reserve. Reserve materials are shelved according to the instructor's last name or course name. If you do not find your instructor's name on the class list, that means he/she did not place anything on Reserve.

How do I check out a reserve item?

You must present a valid NOVA Student ID Card to check out Reserve items. Students can get their ID cards at the Parking office located on the first floor of the Bisdorf building, Room 189.
 All materials must be checked out and returned to the Circulation Desk. When the Library is closed, Reserve materials that have a one day, three day or one week loan period may be returned in the outside book drop located in front of the Bisdorf Building.

How many items can I borrow?

You may borrow one item at a time unless a textbook has an accompanying study guide.

Can I renew a reserve item?

In order to make the collection available to as many students as possible, Reserve items cannot be renewed.

If you have any questions or comments about the Reserve collection please send an email to Kevin O'Hagan.

FOR FACULTY
What and how can I place an item on reserve?

Books, syllabi, photocopies, old exams, and A/V material can be placed on Reserve. Books and A/V material can be from the Library collection or your personal items. Exams and photocopies must be supplied by the instructor. If the item is a photocopy, please follow the NOVA copyright guidelines. Photocopies must be "reserve ready". The library does not supply folders or binders for copies.

Be aware that when the library processes reserve material we must put permanent labels and barcodes on any material you submit  for the collection.


Bring the item(s) to the Circulation Desk and fill out a Reserve Form, or fill out the online form or the pdf version and bring it with you. Be sure to fill out the form completely -- include your name, course, time limit for item (Library Use Only, 1 Day, 3 Day or 1 Week), which semester(s) the item is to remain on Reserve, and the title of the item. Please note that whichever semester is chosen, the item will be returned to you at the end of that semester.

Due to the limited space for the Reserve Collection, the Library reserves the right to remove materials that have little or no activity. Library items will be returned to the shelves and personal items returned to the instructor.

Please allow a minimum of 24 hours for materials to be processed. If you have any questions, please feel free to contact the Circulation Desk at 703.845.6231.

Where can I find information on copyright?

Copyright information pertaining to Northern Virginia Community College can be found in the Faculty Handbook in Section 7 under 7.4000, Copyright Regulations. You can also refer to Section 29 of the Administrative Services Procedures Manual.

Other web sites containing information on copyright are:

This page is maintained by Kevin O'Hagan and was last updated on January 22, 2009