Physical Reserves

Books and Other Physical Items

Yale Library will only reserve materials that are a part of the library’s collection or belong to a course instructor or corresponding university department. 
  • If we do not own the requested materials, the library will try to purchase the material, if available.
  • If we can purchase or license an e-book or electronic version of your requested material, we will do so.
  • We cannot put materials from non-Yale libraries on reserve. If we do not own the requested materials, the library can attempt to purchase them.
  • At the end of each semester, library staff remove these items from reserve, re-shelve them, or return them to the instructor.

Warning of Copyright Restrictions

The copyright law of the United States (Title 17, U.S. Code) governs the making of photocopies or other reproductions of the copyright materials. Under certain conditions specified in the law, library and archives are authorized to furnish a photocopy or reproduction. One of these specified conditions is that the photocopy or reproduction is not to be “used for any purpose other than in private study, scholarship, or research.” If a user makes a request for, or later uses, a photocopy or reproduction for purposes in excess of “fair use,” that user may be liable for copyright infringement. The Yale University Library reserves the right to refuse to accept a copying order, if, in its judgement fulfillment of the order would involve violation of copyright law.

Contact Information

Have questions about reserves for your course? Connect with your local reserve unit for support.