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Digital Course Reserve (DCR)

Digital Course Reserve (DCR) is the digital equivalent of traditional library lending that allows digital access to print items. Through DCR, a print book in the JMU Libraries collection can be digitized and lent out virtually to one user at a time in place of the physical item.

A Digital Course Reserves item is NOT the same as an e-book licensed by the library.

JMU Libraries adheres to these core principles for DCR:

  • Only items owned in print can be digitized (licensed titles and e-books are not applicable).
  • The print copy of a digitized item is unavailable for borrowing while the DCR version is accessible.
  • The digital version is available to only one user at a time. If the item is already in use upon access attempt, users can input their email to be notified when it becomes available.
  • JMU Libraries uses digital rights management to prevent copying and redistribution (file is read-only, with no printing, no downloading permitted).

DCR items must be viewed through an app called MyDocs which is free to download from Microsoft, Apple, and Android stores. Users must have an active JMU eID and password to access. If accessing a DCR file from a desktop or laptop, please use the Chrome browser.

Digital Course Reserve loan period options available are 30-minutes, 1-hour, 2-hour, or 4-hour. If no other user has requested to be notified when the item becomes available, the current user can have repeated access to the same item. Digital Course Reserve materials will expire at the end of each semester. If needed in future semesters, faculty must resubmit the request.

Once a requested book has been digitized, a shareable link will be emailed to the requesting instructor. The link can be shared with students via Canvas or other methods as desired. A direct link will also be placed on the item’s library catalog record. DCR digitized files will be deleted and catalog links will be removed at the end of finals week of the semester the item is in use.

Email reserves@jmu.edu with any questions.

Submit a Request for Digital Course Reserve (DCR)

Please use this form to submit requests for physical materials to be digitized for use in your course(s).

Requests are digitized in the order received.

Please allow five working days from the time requested to receive the item link to distribute to your students.

What Books Can be Digitized?

Most JMU Libraries print items can be digitized, subject to staff approval, if they are not already available as an ebook.

Upon request, an instructor’s personal copy of a book can be digitized in full for DCR. While in use as a digital item, the personal copy will be housed in a secure location in JMU Libraries for the duration of the semester in use. When the DCR link is deactivated at the end of the semester, the print book will be returned to the instructor via campus mail.

What Books Can NOT be Digitized?

Collections unavailable for digitization at this time are CSD Tests, materials located in our Music Library, and materials in our Special Collections.

Contact Course Reserves

reserves@jmu.edu
(540) 568-4102
The Hub, Room 1002, MSC 1704, Attention: April Beckler