Tracking reserves not owned: Collecting student reserves request at service points using a web form

Abstract

Libraries accept and honor faculty and instructor reserve requests. But what happens when the students come to the library requesting material that was not placed or available on reserve? Instead of turning students away saying the item is not on reserve, (university name here)'s Library took a direct request approach at our service points. By using an online web form, librarians and staff collected information on the reserve request from students through an online web form. The Lending Services department took this data and followed up with the faculty/instructor inquiring if they had a copy to place on reserve for their student. Through this outreach effort, Lending Services dramatically increased reserves usage, increased student satisfaction with the library, brought more awareness about reserves on campus and created a more customer-service friendly transaction for students.