Library Resources
Place textbooks on reserve
The Libraries' course reserve service allows instructors to set aside books and articles for class use, or to make articles or book excerpts available through Canvas. Reserve items can be requested through your course site in Canvas. Place items on reserve by following the instructions on libraries.nu/reserve, by contacting the reserve department at e-reserve@northwestern.edu or by calling 847-491-7681.Request e-book access
Some assigned texts may be available for the Libraries to purchase as e-books for the entire class to access. To make a request, contact your liaison librarian with the book information and need by date.
It is important to note that the following major publishers do not provide institutional licenses to e-books and thus cannot be purchased for students to access via the Libraries:
- Pearson
- Cengage
- Houghton
- McGraw-Hill
- Oxford University Press (textbook division)
Create alternatives to course packets
Sometimes course packets contain journal articles and book chapters that students have free access to via the library's subscriptions to online databases and e-book collections. Instead of going through a printing company that will charge for copyright clearance, consider using library databases to link to your assigned readings in Canvas.Syllabi review service
To see if the library has access to your assigned readings via subscription databases, start by searching NUsearch or simply email us your syllabus or reading lists and we will send you the links when available.
Contact air@northwestern.edu to get started. Once you have the permalinks to the readings, you can add them directly to your Canvas course via Modules. See the video tutorial for instructions.
Questions?
Visit our FAQ page for answers to common questions related to library resources as a cost saving measure. Don't hesitate to reach out directly for individual assistance: air@northwestern.edu.