Course Reserves and Interlibrary Loan Services
Course Reserves
Want to learn how you can get access to the books, articles and other resources you need for your class?
Interlibrary Loan
Do you need something that we don’t have at the UF Libraries? Let us work with other Universities to get it for you!
Distance Patrons
Are you studying and researching remotely? If you are a Gator not living in Gainesville, you may be eligible to sign up as a Distance patron! We will mail you library books FREE OF CHARGE and provide return shipping too!
UBorrow
Find and request a book you need from another University or College in the state of Florida, and pick it up at your favorite UF Library branch!
Course Reserves FAQ
For Instructors
Do I have to pay to put something on Course Reserves?
No. The George A. Smathers Libraries pay fees associated with making copyrighted material available for electronic reserves; we do reserve the right to deny requests in cases where the fee is deemed excessive. In the event of this, the instructor will be contacted. If the library does not currently own an item, an attempt to purchase will be made with instructor’s approval. Price and availability may affect the ability of the Course Reserves unit to purchase items.
What types of items can be placed on Reserve?
- Personal copies of materials for hard copy reserve
- Library-owned items (books, DVDs, etc.) for hard copy reserve
- Journal articles for electronic reserve
- Book chapters/excerpts for electronic reserve
- E-books for electronic reserve
- Video/streaming video
Can I place a personal copy of an item on Reserve?
Yes, the item is processed and placed in the Course Reserves area behind the designated library circulation desk requested by the instructor. A Gator 1 ID is required to check out items. The library is not responsible for any damages to or theft of personal items placed on reserves. At the end of the semester, items are removed from Course Reserves, and instructors may pick up the items at the circulation desk of the processing library. After three weeks into the following semester, the Course Reserves units will send the items back to the instructor’s department via campus mail, for distribution to the instructor by the department.
When may I place a Course Reserves request?
As soon as possible. The Course Reserves unit will send out an email to active instructors notifying them when the units are accepting course reserves requests for the following semester. Course reserves requests may be placed throughout the current semester, as needed.
How long does it take for a Course Reserves request to be processed?
It varies depending on the volume of requests submitted since the requests are processed in the order received. Some factors may delay processing such as submitting requests during the first two weeks of a new semester; requests with incomplete bibliographic information; materials that are currently unavailable; or requests for purchase. If the library does not own an item and you want to request it for course use, please note this in your request.
How long can patrons check out materials on Course Reserves?
There are several categories of checkout times for books or media in Course Reserves.
2 Hours: Materials are checked out for two hours and cannot be taken out of the library. Fines for overdue materials are accrued on a per hour basis.
24 Hours: Materials with this designation can leave the library and are due back 24 hours from the time of checkout. Fines for overdue materials are accrued on a per hour basis.
3 Day: Materials can be checked out of the library for 3 days. Fines for overdue materials are accrued on a per day basis.
7 Day: Materials can be checked out of the library for 7 days. Fines for overdue materials are accrued on a per day basis.
*This does not apply to libraries open 24 hours.
Can students in my class be permitted to check out material longer than the assigned loan period?
Yes. Please contact the Course Reserves unit for more information. It is recommended that instructors give the Course Reserves unit 24-hours notice in this situation, so we can be certain that another instructor does not need the material for in-class use.
I want to check out a DVD (or other material) currently on Course Reserves to use in my class. Can this material be held for me?
Yes. If you have a DVD or other item on reserves for your course and need it for in-class use, please contact the Course Reserves unit 24-48 hours before your class. We will put a hold on the item so that it does not circulate, and it will be available for class use. If another instructor has a DVD on course reserves and you need it for course use, please notify the Course Reserves unit. We will contact the instructor that has the item on reserves and ask for permission from that instructor to let the material circulate for class use.
What can I do if a link to an article or streaming video is not working?
First, be sure that you are using the UF Gatorlink VPN service. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox while using the VPN. You may also contact the Course Reserves unit at 352-273-2520 or email us at eres@uflib.ufl.edu to notify Course Reserves staff. It generally takes only a few minutes to fix a broken link.
I am an instructor/teaching assistant and I need a chapter of a book for class. Who should I contact?
Please email all class related requests to eres@uflib.ufl.edu.
For Students
How do I access an item my instructor has on Course Reserves?
Items can be accessed either through (1) one of the circulation desks for hard copy items or (2) accessed electronically through the Ares Course Reserves system. For hard copy books and textbooks, please have your course number and instructor’s name available for the circulation staff to locate the materials.
To access electronic Course Reserve materials, create an Ares account to get started. For step-by-step instructions on how to create an Ares account and how to search for your classes and access course materials, check out the Course Reserves For Students page.
Where do I find the materials on Course Reserves?
Hard copy items such as books and DVDs can be checked out from the circulation desk at one of the branch libraries. Electronic items will be available via your Ares account upon log in.
Electronic items such as weblinks and streaming video are accessed through your Ares account or the Course Reserves feature in Canvas. If you are off-campus, you will need to log in to the UF Gatorlink VPN service to access these items. We recommend using the Chrome or FireFox internet browser.
How long can I check out materials on Course Reserves?
There are several categories of checkout times for books or media in Course Reserves.
2 Hours: Materials are checked out for two hours and cannot be taken out of the library. Fines for overdue materials are accrued on a per hour basis.
24 Hours: Materials with this designation can leave the library and are due back 24 hours from the time of checkout. Fines for overdue materials are accrued on a per hour basis.
3 Day: Materials can be checked out of the library for 3 days. Fines for overdue materials are accrued on a per day basis.
7 Day: Materials can be checked out of the library for 7 days. Fines for overdue materials are accrued on a per day basis.
*This does not apply to libraries open 24 hours.
When I try to access electronic resources and Course Reserves, I am asked for a password. What should I enter?
If you are accessing our electronic databases, you must install and sign in to the UF Gatorlink VPN service to authenticate your affiliation with the University of Florida.
You may also contact the Course Reserves unit at 352-273-2520 or email us with questions: eres@uflib.ufl.edu.
What do I do if a link to an article or streaming video is not working?
First, be sure that you are using the UF Gatorlink VPN service. We recommend using Chrome or Firefox while using the VPN. You may also contact the Course Reserves unit at 352-273-2520 or email us at eres@uflib.ufl.edu to notify Course Reserves staff. It generally takes only a few minutes to fix a broken link.
Can I borrow a physical Course Reserves item?
Yes, hard copy Course Reserves items are available for loan at one of the library circulation desks. Have your course number and instructor’s name available for the circulation staff to locate the materials.
Interlibrary Loan FAQ
Who is eligible for ILL services?
Any faculty member, emeritus faculty, staff and students who are currently employed or enrolled at UF, including IFAS & REC centers are eligible for ILL services. Visit the Check-Out Guidelines and Privileges page for more information.
If you are affiliated with the UF Law School (law faculty or law student), please create your ILLiad account through the UF School of Law Interlibrary Loan portal.
I don’t live in Gainesville. Can I still use ILL?
Yes. We will ship UF-owned items and the items we borrow for you from other institutions to your desired address at no cost to you! The library will pay the shipping costs. We will also attach a pre-paid UPS returning label for your convenience. To register for distance services, visit this page.
How much does it cost?
The Interlibrary Loan service is FREE for eligible users. Although this service is free, the department is given a specified amount of funding each year to provide this service, which covers shipping and replacement costs when items are lost or damaged. On rare occasions, excessive costs (particularly copyright fees) will cause us to cancel a request.
How long will it take for my materials to arrive?
PDF Requests: 3-5 business days
Once the article arrives, you will receive an email confirming it’s available to view/read/download as a PDF via your UF Library Account. The system will automatically remove the article from your account after 30 days.
Physical Requests: 1-4 weeks
Books and other loaned materials take significantly longer to ship than articles, depending on the distance from the lending library. When the book arrives, you’ll be notified by e-mail. On-campus patrons can pick up the book at the Library West, Marston Science Library, Architecture & Fine Arts Library, Health Science Center Library, or Education Library circulation desk. For distance users, we ship to you directly via UPS.
Can I request E-books?
At this time, we cannot “borrow” electronic books via Interlibrary Loan. Such books are usually purchased by libraries with licenses that restrict their use to members of the owning library.
How long can I keep an item?
The checkout period varies based on the terms of the owning library.
How can I return an ILL item?
ILL materials can be returned in the following ways:
- Return items at the Library West, Marston Science Library, Architecture & Fine Arts Library, Health Science Center Library, or Education Library circulation desk in-person.
- Ship the item back to the library by UPS, FedEx, or Priority Mail. Please enclose the paperwork (that is attached to the book) with your ILL items. Refer to our Shipping Guidelines for more detailed instructions.
Can I use ILL to order my course textbooks?
No. Interlibrary Loan is NOT a substitute for buying your required textbooks. We reserve the right to cancel orders for textbooks. Please see the Course Reserves page to find out how you can get access to your textbooks without having to purchase them.
I have an incomplete citation. Can I still submit a request?
Yes, you can do so by using the blank request form. The more information you provide, the more likely we are able to quickly find the item you seek. The most helpful information to include when placing a request is an ISSN/ISBN, and/or an OCLC number. You can use the WorldCat database to locate OCLC numbers for particular journal titles or books.
Please provide full journal titles and not the abbreviated title when possible, especially if it’s in a foreign language. It’s also helpful if you can tell us where you found the citation (from a bibliography, a database, etc.). If you have a complicated citation, collaborate with a Subject/Area Specialist to help narrow your search.
My request was cancelled with the reason “Item available as an E-book.” What does this mean?
Many resources (journals, books, and articles) are available to you through the UF Library catalog. You will need to be connected to the UF Virtual Private Network (VPN) in order to access these resources off campus.
I am an instructor or teaching assistant. Can my items be delivered to my office on campus?
Unfortunately, no. All Interlibrary Loan items must be picked up in-person unless you are located outside of Gainesville. We do not currently have enough staff to provide a campus delivery service. If you are unable to pick up your item(s), you may use a proxy. Please see the Proxy Borrower Policy for more information.
Distance User FAQ
I am unable to come to campus. How can I order materials from the libraries?
You will need to register as a distance users to request materials to be shipped to you. For more information, visit this page.
What can I order via Interlibrary Loan as a distance user?
As a distance user, you can request both UF owned items and items not owned by UF.
How will my books get to me?
The Interlibrary Loan service will ship your items directly to your home address via UPS. Your address does not automatically sync with your UF GatorLink information, so you are responsible for contacting us to keep it up-to-date. To register for distance services, visit this page.
I am studying/researching outside of the U.S. Can I still get books and electronic copies?
We can supply you with scanned copies of articles and book chapters electronically, and can ship you books from the UF collections only. Due to the difficulty and risk of shipping to other countries, we cannot borrow an item from another library for you. If it’s a recently published book, and the UF Libraries don’t own it, we’ll try to buy a copy to lend to you.
A book I would like to request is checked out according to the UF catalog. Should I place an Interlibrary Loan request or a hold request?
Place an Interlibrary Loan request and we will borrow it from another library for you. Please do not place a hold request. The hold request feature is for patrons who are on campus and can pick up the book in-person from one of the circulation desks.
How do I return the books I receive?
Distance users are provided a courtesy UPS Return Shipping Label with your shipment. This label is pre-weighed and covers only the item(s) in the accompanying package. There will be a reference number near the bottom of the label – this matches the book barcode. Use this label to mail the book back to us at least 3 days before the due date on the book band.
PLEASE NOTE: Return your items at least three days before the due date on the book band. The date listed is the day it’s due back in our office.