Electronic Reserves (E-Reserves)
Frequently Asked Questions (and Answers!)

1. What are E-Reserves?
2. Can I get this material in a paper copy instead of using the E-Reserve system?
3. My instructor says that there are Reserve items available for my class, but I can't find them on Blackboard. Why?
4. What do I do when a link to an E-Reserve document doesn't work?

1. What is a Web browser plug-in?
2. My Web browser can't view any files ending with .pdf, what can I do to see these files?
3. Is Adobe Reader already on this computer?
4. Is there a recommended Web browser for .pdf files?
5. I have an old computer, what are the minimum system requirements for running Adobe Reader?

3. Adobe Reader Viewing & Printing Questions

1. My home/work computer is having trouble printing E-Reserve files. Where can I go for help?
2. Why does it take so long to view and/or download an E-Reserve item?
3. Why does it take so long to print an E-Reserve item?
4. After I open a document in Aadobe Reader, I can barely read it. Do I have to print the document to read it?
5. Can I download E-Reserves to my computer and view/print them later?

1. How do I place items on reserve/e-reserve?
2. As an instructor, how can I help to make E-Reserves documents faster to download and print for my students?

I have a question that isn't answered in this FAQ. Who can help me?

1. General Questions

1. What are E-Reserves?
   E-Reserves, or Electronic Reserves, are course readings and documents that your instructor has asked the Library to make available to you. These reading and documents are scanned into electronic format and placed within the specific Blackboard Course for you to access. These Adobe PDF (Portable Document Format) files are viewed through a Web browser plug-in. More information.

2. Can I get this material in a paper copy instead of using the E-Reserves system?
   No, all scanned documents are returned to your instructor after processing. But you can print out copies of these documents after accessing them from the appropriate Blackboard course.

3. My instructor says that there are Reserve items available for my class, but I can’t find them on BlackBoard. Why?
   Some reserve material may only be available at the Access Services/Circulation Desk (Jackson Library or Music Library) due to format, content, or length. Additionally, E-Reserves on Blackboard are only available after your instructor activates the course.

4. What do I do when a link to an E-Reserve document doesn't work?
   We make every effort to ensure that all E-Reserve documents work properly before addling them to Blackboard. If one doesn't appear to work, first make sure that you have Adobe Reader installed properly on your computer by attempting to view this test file. If this test file does display, but the E-Reserve document does not, please contact the Access Services/Circulation Desk (Jackson Library or Music Library) to report the problem. We will need to know the instructor’s name, the course number and the title of the document in order for us to research the problem.

2. Web Browser & Adobe Reader Configuration Questions

1. What is a Web browser plug-in?
   A plug-in is an additional software program that expands the capabilities of your Web browser beyond basic web surfing. A few examples of plug-ins include Macromedia Shockwave, Apple QuickTime Player, and RealAudio Player. Our E-Reserve system uses the Adobe Reader plug-in to view all E-Reserve documents.

2. My Web browser can’t view any files ending in .pdf, what can I do to see these files?
   To display .pdf files on your computer, you must have Adobe Reader installed and configured as a plug-in to your web browser. If you don’t have a copy of Adobe Reader, get a free copy now. If you already have Adobe Reader on your computer and still can’t read the files, you may need to upgrade to a newer version.
   To download and install Adobe Reader, follow these basic steps:
   • Create a folder or directory on your computer for downloading and installing programs. Many people create one called "downloads".
   • Go to the Adobe Reader download page and follow the steps to download a copy of the program for your type of computer and operating system. When you are given the option to save the program, save it in your "downloads" directory.
   • Once the file is saved on your computer, you need to install the program. Find the file you just downloaded (it should be in your "downloads" directory). Double click the file to install it. Follow Adobe’s installation steps and the next time you start your web browser you should be able to view the .pdf files.
   • Detailed Instructions for Windows 95/98/Me/NT/2000/XP Computers.
   Additional installation and troubleshooting instructions can be found on Adobe’s Web Site.

3. Is Adobe Reader already on this computer?
   If you are using a campus computer in the library or in one of the labs, the computer already has a copy of Adobe Reader installed. For other computers, if you can click on and view this test file in your web browser, you have a working copy of Adobe Reader on your computer. We recommend that you have the latest version available.

4. Is there a recommended Web browser for .pdf files?
   Yes. Adobe suggests that you use Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 (or higher), Netscape 7.1 (or 8.0), Firefox 1.0, or Mozilla 1.7.

5. I have a non-Windows computer or an old computer, what are the minimum system requirements for running Adobe Reader?
   Please see the requirements listed on Adobe’s web site.

3. Acrobat Reader Viewing & Printing Questions

1. My home/work computer is having trouble printing E-Reserve files. Where can I go for help?
   The Adobe Acrobat Support Database has extensive help files to assist you with print troubleshooting. Please try these resources first:
   • Troubleshooting Printing Problems in Acrobat for Windows
   • Troubleshooting Printing Problems in Acrobat for Mac OS
   • Acrobat Reader Top Support Issues (and Support Database)
   You may also need to contact your computer and/or printer manufacturer for support.

2. Why does it take so long to view and/or download an E-Reserve item?
   Because an E-Reserve document is a scanned image of a paper copy, the total file size can be very large (sometimes greater that 2 MB). Download speed can be affected by many factors including the type and speed of network connection or modem you are using and possible network/Internet congestion. Upgrading to the latest version of Adobe Reader may help; version 4.0 (and above) begins to display the first page of the document as the rest of it is still loading.

3. Why does it take so long to print an E-Reserve item?
   Because an E-Reserve document is a scanned image of a paper copy, the file size can be very large (sometimes greater that 2 MB). Each page is a separate image as opposed to a string of text, therefore your printer must print each page as an image, which usually takes longer than a standard text document. Depending on your computer and printer type, speed, and memory, it could take as long as several minutes to print each page. We strongly recommend that you complete each print job before you send another document to your printer to avoid printer congestion and possible failure. You may also need to print large documents one page at a time if your printer’s memory is too small.

4. After I open a document in Adobe Reader, I can barely read it. Do I have to print the document in order to read it?
   No, you can enlarge the print. The Adobe Reader menu bar (just above your document) has several buttons that you can use to change the size of the image. Click on the small magnifying glass with the plus sign (+), then move your mouse back over the document (your cursor should now change from a hand to a magnifying glass). Click on the document to make it bigger (right click to see other size options). Move the squares on the gray bars on the right and bottom edges to see other parts of the document.

5. Can I download E-Reserves to my computer and view/print them later?
   Yes. You may download an E-Reserve document for your personal use only. Access the E-Reserve item in the usual manner. You may either open the document and save a copy to your PC (using"Save a copy" disk icon or File-Save as option), or simply "drag and drop" the file from the Blackboard window to your PC. Remember where it is so you can find it later. Be careful if you choose to save to a floppy disk as many E-Reserve documents are very large and will not fit on a single standard floppy disk.

4. Faculty Questions

1. How do I place items on reserve/e-reserve?
   Detailed instructions are provided to each instructor prior to each semester. Please call the Access Services/Reserve Desk at 336.334.5245 for additional assistance.

2. As an instructor, how can I help to make E-Reserve documents faster to download and print for my students?
   There are several ways.
   • First, please only submit materials that are required for class assignments.
   • Second, try to limit E-Reserves to relatively brief items. Large documents increase download time, and may need to be split into two or more parts. Consider paper only reserves for long documents, book chapters, etc.
   • Third, please follow the Photocopy Guidelines. Any increase in extraneous text or markings dramatically increases the file size. The clearer the copy the better & smaller the scan.

5. Unanswered Questions

I have a question that isn't answered in this FAQ. Who can help me?
Please contact the appropriate Access Services/Circulation Desk for assistance. Jackson Library @ 336.334.5304 or 888.245.0180; Music Library @ 336.334.5771.