Ferris State University Library for Information, Technology and Education (FLITE).
Faculty Guide to Electronic Reserves

FLITE is currently doing a pilot project of electronic reserves using Docutek's E-Res software. E-Res is a system that allows storage of electronic versions of course reserve materials. Students access the material online and print a copy for their personal study. If you would like to be included in this pilot project, please call (231) 591-3636.

  • How do I place materials on electronic reserves?

    Please contact Julia Rodriguez at (231) 591-3636 to ask about setting up an electronic reserves account. Electronic reserve pages are created for each class and are managed by the instructor. If you already have a digital copy of the material (such as a Word file or PDF document) you can simply upload these documents to your page. Hard copies of materials can also be faxed to (231) 591-3577 and will be automatically scanned into PDF.

  • What items can be placed on electronic reserves?

    A portion of a book (up to one chapter or ten percent of the book) may be placed on reserve once per course by a given instructor without obtaining permission from the publisher/author of the book. The next time the material is to be placed on electronic reserves, copyright permission must be obtained.

    One copy of an article may be placed on electronic reserves once per course taught by a given instructor, without obtaining permission or paying charges. The next time the material is to be placed on electronic reserves, copyright permission must be obtained.

    Copies of student produced work, such as essays. Permission must be obtained from the student.

    Copies of old tests, notes or other instructor created materials.

    Full-text journal articles available in FLITE subscription databases. The Library can create persistant links to these articles in our e-reserves system. Copyright permission is not required.

    For full-text journal articles available in FLITE subscription databases, the E-res administrator can show you how to create persistent links to post in the E-res system. Copyright permission is not required and these items can be used over subsequent semesters.

  • What are the copyright guidelines?

    All photocopied (and scanned) materials must meet the tests of brevity, spontaneity, and cumulative effect as stated in Title 17, U.S. Code, sec. 107. The Library's E-Res system can help keep track of copyright claims and fees, but the burden of proving fair use falls on the educator making use of the material. The Library will do its best to assist with any copyright questions.

  • How do my students and I access the electronic reserves?

    When you call to setup your account, you will be given a username, password and URL for your reserves page. With your username and password, you will be able to upload articles and organize the content of your page. You will also create a class password for your students to login to the page. Students can go directly to their class page or they can search our e-reserves system to find the information they need.

  • Can't I just put the articles up in my WebCT course?

    FLITE's E-Res software allows for the tracking of copyright clearance and also offers a fax module in which documents are automatially converted into PDF when faxed to (231) 591-3577. Items that are not restricted by copyright can be cross-referenced to multiple classes. E-Res also provides in depth statistics on usage and access. You can easily link e-reserve pages with WebCT. When setting up the link in WebCT, be sure to choose the option to "open in new window" and students will have direct access to the E-res system.

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Last update: March 22, 2006

Rick Bearden
Library Web Coordinator
Email Rick Bearden
1010 Campus Drive
Big Rapids, MI 49307-2279
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(231) 591-3500
Fax: (231) 591-3724