Find textbooks & course reserves

Course reserves are common resources identified by instructors as either required or recommended materials that everyone in their classes needs access to.

Some of these resources are digital and some are physical, and you can find a list of all course reserves for your class in either Canvas Reading Lists, or by using JumboSearch.

Digital course reserves are linked directly from Canvas Reading Lists, and physical course reserves items are available at the Information and Circulation Desks at Tisch and Lilly Music libraries for courses taught on the Medford campus, and at the SMFA Library for courses taught at the School of the Museum of Fine Arts. Students can check them out to use for short periods of time, typically for a few hours.

New this year! We now have a list of textbooks available as ebooks at Tisch Library. If you don't see the book you need in your Reading List in Canvas, check our list to see if we have an ebook available.

What's on reserve for my class?

You can view course reserve lists in Canvas. Log in and open your course, then click Reading Lists in the menu on the left. You’ll see the location and availability for materials held in the library, and direct links to e-books and articles.

Reserve information is also available in JumboSearch. You can search by course name, course number, or instructor name. For best results, we recommend searching by your instructor's last name.

Checking out reserves

  • At Tisch Library: Books, other printed materials, and DVDs can be checked out from the Information and Circulation Desk on the second floor near the main entrance.
  • At Lilly Music Library, located in Granoff: CDs, books, scores, and other reserve items can be checked out at the Information Desk.
  • At SMFA Library: Books, DVDs, and other items can be checked out at the Circulation Desk.

Students can only check out one reserve item at a time.

You can also watch our helpful video on Course Reserves for Students on our Instagram Account IGTV, or check out this helpful information for Tufts students about Canvas Reading Lists

How long can I borrow course reserves items?

It depends on the item and the instructor's preference. The label on the spine will indicate whether the item can be borrowed for 4 hours, 8 hours (or overnight) or for 3 days.

Will I get a fine if I keep it too long?

Yes - because everyone in the course needs access to these items, you will be fined if you keep a physical reserves item too long. Fines are $1/hour for 4-hour and 8-hour reserves, and $1/day for 3-day reserves.

Putting items on reserve for a class

Find out more information about how course instructors can put items on reserve.