UMD Library Reserve Guide: Textbooks & Study Spaces

College life at the University of Maryland moves fast, and staying on top of coursework requires reliable access to required readings and productive work environments. Whether you are trying to cut down on semester expenses by borrowing costly textbooks or searching for a quiet place to collaborate on a group project, understanding how to use the umd library reserve system is an essential academic skill. The University Libraries maintain robust course reserves and space reservation tools designed specifically to keep academic materials accessible and affordable for all Terps.

What Are UMD Course Reserves?

Course reserves are instructional materials selected by faculty members and held by UMD Libraries for short-term use. This system ensures that all students enrolled in a class have equitable access to essential textbooks, journal articles, media files, and supplemental reading lists without being forced to purchase every single item out of pocket.

At UMD, course reserves fall into two primary formats:

• Physical Course Reserves: Printed books, media discs, anatomical models, and calculators held behind the service desks at various campus libraries, most notably McKeldin Library and the STEM Library.
• Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves): Digitized book chapters, journal articles, lecture notes, and streaming media delivered directly through ELMS-Canvas.

Navigating the UMD Library Reserve Desk for Textbooks

Physical course reserves are among the most heavily utilized resources on campus. Because multiple students in the same class often need the exact same book, borrowing policies for reserve items are noticeably different from general collection checkouts.

Locating Reserve Materials

Before heading to a library desk, check availability using the UMD Libraries catalog search. You can search by course code (e.g., BMGT110, CHEM135) or instructor name. The catalog will display the item's call number, current availability, and the specific library holding the item (such as the McKeldin Library Services Desk on the first floor or the STEM Library in the William E. Kirwan Hall).

Borrowing Periods and Limits

To keep materials circulating efficiently among dozens or hundreds of students, physical reserve items carry strictly enforced loan periods:

• 2-Hour Loans: The most common loan window for high-demand textbooks. These items are generally restricted to in-library use only.
• 4-Hour Loans: Often assigned to specialized equipment, media, or mid-demand course texts.
• 24-Hour or 3-Day Loans: Occasionally available for supplemental readings, allowing students to take materials outside the library overnight.

To check out an item, bring the call number and your physical or digital UMD ID card to the designated service desk. You can generally check out one course reserve book at a time per course.

Fines and Return Protocols

Because other students depend on these books for assignments and upcoming exams, overdue fines on course reserves accrue rapidly compared to standard loans. Hourly fines can accumulate quickly, and failing to return a reserve item can lead to borrowing suspensions or replacement fees on your student account.

Always return physical reserve materials directly to the service desk where you borrowed them. Do not place reserve books in outdoor book drop bins or automated return chutes, as processing delays could cause overdue fines to register on your account.

Accessing Electronic Reserves (e-Reserves) via ELMS

If your professor uses electronic reserves, you do not need to visit a physical service desk. Electronic readings are integrated directly into the university's learning management system, ELMS-Canvas.

1. Log in to your ELMS-Canvas dashboard using your Directory ID and password.
2. Select your course from the dashboard.
3. Click on the Course Reserves or Library Reserves tab located in the left-hand course navigation menu.
4. Click the link for the designated reading or media file to read it in your browser or download a PDF copy for offline study.

All digital reserve materials comply with U.S. Copyright Law and fair use guidelines. Access is restricted to students officially registered for that specific course and expires automatically at the end of the academic term.

How Faculty and Instructors Can Place Items on Reserve

For faculty, teaching assistants, and course coordinators, placing materials on reserve is one of the most effective ways to lower textbook costs and support student retention. Instructors should follow these practical steps to initiate reserve requests:

Submission Deadlines and Processing Times

The library staff processes thousands of reserve requests before each fall, spring, and summer session. To ensure materials are ready by the first week of classes, submit reserve lists at least three to four weeks prior to the start of the semester. Requests submitted after classes begin are handled in the order received and may take several business days to process.

Submitting Reserve Requests

Instructors can place requests through the Course Reserves tool in Canvas or via the library's online submission form. You have several options for materials:

• Library-Owned Materials: Request that books already in the general collection be pulled and transferred to the course reserve desk.
• Personal Copies: Faculty can bring personal copies of textbooks or manuals to the service desk to be barcoded and placed on temporary reserve.
• Purchase Requests: If the library does not own a required text, faculty can request that the library purchase a print copy or unlimited-user electronic license.
• Scanning Requests: Instructors can request scans of journal articles or book excerpts (typically up to one chapter or 10% of a work under fair use limits) to be uploaded to ELMS.

Reserving Study Rooms at UMD Libraries

In addition to academic course materials, the phrase "library reserve" frequently refers to reserving private study rooms and collaborative spaces across campus. UMD Libraries provides dozens of group study spaces equipped with whiteboards, large monitors, and HDMI connectivity.

Available Locations

Group study rooms and specialized media studios can be reserved at several library facilities across the College Park campus:

• McKeldin Library: Offers group rooms across floors 3 through 6, as well as the Terrapin Learning Commons (TLC) tech spaces on the second floor.
• STEM Library (Kirwan Hall): Features collaborative work pods and quiet study zones tailored to science and engineering teams.
• Michelle Smith Performing Arts Library (Clarice): Features study carrels, score study rooms, and audio playback stations.
• Architecture Library: Includes specialized workstations and drafting areas.

How to Book a Room Online

UMD uses the LibCal scheduling system for space bookings. Here is how to secure a room:

1. Visit the UMD Libraries website and navigate to the Study Spaces or Book a Study Room page.
2. Select your preferred library location and filter by room capacity or available technology.
3. Choose an open time slot from the interactive grid (highlighted in green).
4. Submit your booking using your official @umd.edu email address.
5. Confirm the reservation via the automated email link within the specified timeframe (typically 30 minutes) to prevent cancellation.

Room Reservation Rules

To ensure fair access during busy periods like midterm and finals weeks, the libraries enforce clear room usage guidelines. Students are typically restricted to booking up to two or three hours per day. Most group study rooms require a minimum of two individuals to check out the physical room key from the circulation desk. Rooms left vacant for more than 15 minutes after the reservation start time may be forfeited to other waiting students.

Make the Most of UMD Library Resources

Whether you need to finish tonight's reading assignment without buying a $300 textbook or need a quiet, tech-equipped room to practice a group presentation, the UMD library reserve system provides the infrastructure you need. Bookmark the UMD Libraries portal, check your course syllabi early each semester, and take advantage of these free academic services throughout your time on campus.