Library Home > Services

eReserve FAQ for students

EReserve (electronic course reserves) is a web-based application offering access to course readings electronically.

What are the benefits of using eReserve?

You may view, print, or download eReserve readings at any time of day or night from any computer with Internet access, using a web browser such as Firefox or Internet Explorer. And, unlike paper reserves, no overdue fines accrue!

How do I access materials my instructors have placed on eReserve?

• There are two ways to get to eReserve:
  
  1. From the library's home page click eReserve or
  2. Go to: http://ereserve.sonoma.edu
• Click on "Electronic Reserves & Reserves Pages."
• If on-campus, you will proceed directly to Step 4 below. If off-campus, you will need to enter your library barcode and PIN before proceeding to Step 4. If you need instructions on setting up a PIN URL http://library.sonoma.edu/services/librarypins.html
• Select one of the 3 tabs to:
  
  • Search for Course Reserves Pages
    Within this option use the pull-down menu to search by department, course name or number, or instructor.
  • Browse Course Reserves Pages by Department or
  • Browse Course Reserves Pages by Instructor
• At the results list from your search, you will be presented a list organized as follows:
  

   Course Number            Course Name            Department          Instructor           Term           Year

• Click on the course of interest, and you will be asked to accept a copyright agreement before you are directed to the course. After accepting the agreement, the following page will provide 3 options:
  1. Course Info for basic information about the course
  2. Documents for a list of ereserve items
  3. Page Management – this is passworded for the instructor’s use.
• Choose Documents to display reserve items. Sometimes documents will be grouped into folders. Information on documents includes Title, Format and Size. Before you click on the link to a specific document, notice the format. Documents may be in PowerPoint, MS Word, Excel, JPEG, MPEG, web page links, or other.
• When you select a document, you will first be presented with an intermediary page describing the document. Click on the file name, and your browser will prompt you with the correct application for the format noted. Your choices are to open the document directly, or save the document to disk. Usually, you would choose to open the document directly. If this doesn’t work correctly, see the section below on errors in opening documents.
• NOTE: if you don’t have the correct application, click on “Help” in the upper right hand corner, the select “Opening and Viewing Files” on the left side of the page.
  
  Lengthy documents may take awhile to load remotely, if via modem. Once documents transfer, they will be located on your hard drive, in whatever location you have selected for downloading documents
  
  Complete information on using eReserve is located under “Help” in the upper right hand corner of most eReserve windows. Chapters 2-4 provide information for students, as well as a link to a video tutorial. NOTE: In order to use the online help, you must disable pop-up blockers.

What if I’m at home and I get error messages when opening the document?

Depending on your specific browser preference settings, you may be prompted by your browser to answer questions about how to treat the file. The optimal choice would be to open the file directly, but if this doesn’t work, save the file to your hard drive, open the application/format indicated, then open the file from within the application.

What formats might appear?

eReserve accepts most file formats: Word, Excel, PowerPoint, pdf (usually opens in Acrobat Reader), JPEG, RealPlayer and MPEG.

How do I print?

Follow the print procedure for that particular application. PowerPoint has many print formats and it is possible to print a handout format from within your print utility. If you need technical assistance in printing in a specific format, check at the Information Commons desk in the library.

Will I be able to see all my Course Reserve listings from eReserve?

No, currently eReserve and print reserve are two separate lookups. For print reserves, return to Snoopy online catalog, select either “Instructor” or “Course” from the pull down menu next to Reserves. Request these materials by Reserve call number at the Circulation Desk. For detailed instructions see How to Create Your Library PIN URL http://library.sonoma.edu/services/librarypins.html

Can I view eReserve documents through my instructor’s web site?

The eReserve home page may also be linked to Web CT courses and course web pages. Your instructor would have to activate this link, by contacting the eReserve staff noted below.

Why aren’t all reserve materials placed on eReserve?

Some items such as books and articles for which the publisher denies electronic access cannot be made available through electronic reserve. Paper copies of these items are kept at the Circulation Desk in the University Library.

Why do I need to login to see eReserve materials?

A login is needed to access course pages due to copyright protection laws. These require that only enrolled students view the online articles posted for a course. If print books or articles are on traditional reserve, you also need to show your id. to borrow them.

If you have any questions or need any additional information, please contact:

 

Contact Us | Search this Website | Site Index | blogs | plugins | 7-27-07
Jean & Charles Schulz Information Center | Sonoma State University