Reserve Room- General

The Reserve Room is where instructors place supplemental material with limited access i.e., articles, sample tests, study guides, etc.  Use of reserve materials is restricted to the University of Memphis community (currently enrolled students, faculty, staff, and patrons with valid reciprocal borrowing privileges from area colleges); therefore, a valid University ID with photo is required to borrow reserve items. Other forms of ID (i.e. driver’s license, social security card, etc.) are not acceptable. The Reserve Room in the Ned McWherter Library is available to students during regular library hours, and it closes 15 minutes prior to the closing of the library.

To ensure optimal access, specified loan periods are designated by faculty when the materials are placed on reserve:  

• 2-hour checkout (material must be used in the library)
• 4-hour checkout
• 24-hour checkout (Overnight, must be returned by 5:30pm the following day)
• 3-day checkout
• 7-day checkout

All users are assessed fines for materials not returned by specified date or time. There is NO grace period for Reserve items. Overdue charges for reserve materials are higher than general collection resources to encourage their prompt return. If items are not returned on time the following fines will be assessed: 

Overdue Fines

All Libraries’ billing inquiries are handled in the Circulation Department. If you have questions regarding your Reserve Room fines or about a bill you have received, please contact our Billing Associate, Ms. Frankie Perry at (901) 678-4483.

Permanent Reserve

Permanent Reserve in the University Libraries provides access to items that require an extra level of security, most often because they are high demand titles that are prone to theft and/or mutilation. Checkout options vary from 2-hour to 30-day loan periods. Currently the Reserve Room houses the following Permanent Reserve Collections:

• Art and Photography Collection - architecture, photography, and other fine arts resources of designated artists, periods, styles, movements and media.
• African American Collection - African American literature, biographies and criticisms.
• Continuing Education Paralegal Studies - Textbooks and journals for students in Continuing Education Paralegal Studies program.
• Graphic Novel Collection - graphic novels and selected comic book- related resources.
• Theater MFA Collection - resources for students in the Communications and Fine Arts program.