A new service that allows for online renewal of reserve material recently launched at Pattee Library on the University Park campus. While only reserve materials at the Commons Services desk at Pattee Library are eligible for the online renewals during this initial period, the convenient service extends the loan time to a maximum of four hours. During the pilot, reserve loans at other service desks remain unchanged.

Borrowers who have checked out reserve materials at Pattee Library can click on the yellow “Renew Books” menu item at the top of the University Libraries’ homepage and renew the items for an additional two-hour period through their library account. One online renewal is permitted per each checkout of each reserve item.

“Our goal is to assess the impact of this service over the next few semesters, particularly with high-demand textbooks, and report back to the University Libraries Access Services Council to determine the feasibility of expanding it to other locations,” said Joe Salem, associate dean for learning, undergraduate services and Commonwealth campus libraries. “We feel this is a great opportunity to support student engagement with the library and explore better ways to provide this valuable service.”

In September 2015, representatives from the University Park Undergraduate Association (UPUA) met with Libraries staff to discuss possible enhancements to course reserves services that would benefit students. That discussion led to UPUA drafting Resolution #24-10, Support of Online Textbook Renewal for University Libraries, which was presented to the Libraries in February 2016.

University Libraries staff worked with SirsiDynix to make some configuration changes in the Symphony/Workflows software with the goal of testing the service at the Commons Services desk in Pattee Library for fall 2016 and spring 2017.

– submitted by Chris Holobar, Lending Services