Q. What is the Library Reserves Tool in Canvas?

***Please note: the Library Reserves Tool interface is changing on July 18, 2024. For more, please see the interface update FAQ below.***

The Library Reserves Tool in Canvas is the primary place students access their assigned course materials - whether book chapters, case studies, films, or journal articles. At HGSE, all course materials are delivered in digital format through the Library Reserves Tool in Canvas. For further information on the Library Reserves Tool, contact the Gutman Library Course Materials Team at reserves@gse.harvard.edu.

LRT interface update FAQ

• What's changing? 

• The Library Reserves Tool in Canvas is getting an interface update. 

• The update is intended to provide a sleeker design and more intuitive user experience for both students using the Tool and staff/teaching teams creating reading lists. 

• Button, field, and menu placements will change, but existing functionality will not change.  

• When is it changing? 

• On July 18, 2024, the interface update will go into effect across the university and in all courses that currently use the Library Reserves Tool in Canvas. 

• Leading up the change there is a banner/notice on the top of each Library Reserves Tool instance notifying users of the upcoming change. 

• What's the impact on HGSE students? 

• Students will have different experiences depending on what course they’re enrolled in:  

• How People Learn and Evidence (OEL): The older interface will be in effect throughout the course. 

• Teaching and Teacher Leadership: Students will start courses using the older interface and will see the updated interface on July 18. HGSE Gutman Library is coordinating closely with TTL administrators to monitor any impact on student experience and access to course materials during this period. 

• August Foundations and Fall Term: The updated interface will be in effect before the beginning of these terms/courses.  

• What's the impact on teaching teams? 

• On July 18, there will be an automatic and complete cutover to the updated interface. 

• The Gutman Library Course Materials Team anticipates the migration will be a smooth process and that no citations or other unique information added to Reading Lists will be lost. The primary change after July 18 will be button, field, or menu placement—the functionality of these features will not change. 

• Staff and teaching teams should contact the Gutman Library Course Materials Team with any issues they encounter after the July 18 transition. 

• Who to contact with any issues or questions? 

• Students are encouraged to use the “Broken Link” button in the Library Reserves Tool to report any delivery or access issues they are encountering using the Tool or accessing course materials. Those reports are shared with Harvard Library and HGSE Gutman Library staff who will help troubleshoot and resolve the issue.  

• Students will also have access to updated training/overview materials for using the Library Reserves Tool if they would like more information on the updated interface. 

• Staff and teaching teams are encouraged to email the Gutman Library Course Materials Team (reserves@gse.harvard.edu) with any issues related to the Library Reserves Tool.