The University libraries purchased about 3,000 course books for both graduate and undergraduate classes this semester and made them available on reserve, Greg Raschke, associate director for collections and scholarly information, said.

“In the past we’d buy some and put them on reserve if there was a faculty request or we’d buy it for the collection in general just because it’s an important work in its field,” he said. “But this is the first time we’ve looked at it systematically and partnered with the NCSU bookstore.”

At least one copy of every book that has been submitted to the campus bookstore or directly to the library as required has been purchased, Raschke said, and multiple copies of some titles are available. However, he added, course packs which are printed for specific classes are not included in the program.

“So far the use has been really high,” he said. “Reserve circulations have increased by about 600 percent.”

Books specific to certain programs may be at the branch libraries, but the bulk of the course materials will be at D.H. Hill, according to Raschke.

Joe Sevits, a senior in science, technology and society, said he and a “broad mix of folks” submitted a proposal to the University Library Committee to have the library acquire the books in the fall.

“Unlike other departments [the ULC] is very open to student ideas,” he said. “They actually want students to submit agenda items.”

The ULC was very responsive and enthusiastic about the proposal, Sevits said, and despite stress regarding budget cuts, money was allocated for the program.

It was important that books were available on reserve rather than in general circulation because in the past students would hide course books in the stacks in order to make them inaccessible to other students, he said.

The intention was both to make the materials available to students on campus and to reflect “the teaching and educational priorities of the University” by collecting the books, Raschke said.

“As far as I know no other research libraries have tried this in such a comprehensive way,” Raschke said. “Our findings are going to be of interest to a lot of other campuses.”

Usage of the course materials will be carefully monitored both to determine the program’s success and for research purposes, he said.

“They were very smart about it,” Sevits said. “They looked at the benefit it could have and they’re sharing that with other institutions across the country.”

Raschke said the library intends to continue the service if students consider it to be valuable.

“Assuming that we get the budget we’re gonna try to maintain it,” he said.

Textbooks that are replaced by updated editions will be moved into general circulation, he said.

The My Course Reserves page on the Libraries Web site allows students to determine if specific books are on reserve. The Web site does not indicate if the books on reserve are presently in use, Raschke said, but students can call the library to check if they are available.

Alexandria Robinson, a freshman in accounting, said she thinks the program is a good idea.

“It’s good if people can save money on textbooks,” she said. “Prices are really high.”