Textbooks at reserve desk relieves high cost

Borrowing textbooks from the reserve desk on the library's fourth floor has brought a new life to student wallets.

Instead of paying hundreds of dollars for books each semester, students are turning to other resources.

The reserve desk has class textbooks reserved by instructors and department chairs so students can read assigned chapters and complete assignments without actually buying the books.

"I use the reserve desk almost everyday," Radio-Television-Film major Edgar Garcia, 22, said. "Most of my classes require books that are kind of expensive." He saved $200 this semester.

"I save money, and it's peaceful," Garcia said. "I strongly encourage students to give it a try."

At the library's fourth floor reserve desk, ask if the needed book is available.

The library's reserve desk is open 7:30 a.m. to 10 p.m. Monday-Friday, 10 a.m. to 5 p.m. Saturday and 1 p.m. to 7 p.m. Sunday.

Learning resource specialist Lettie Alvarado said, "Students come in throughout the day."

Students having difficulty getting their textbooks because of expense or unavailability have been increasing the traffic to get reserved books, she said.

An online feature is also available on the library's Web site where students can see if a book is on reserve and if it is available at that time.

Students can check out a book for up to two hours giving them time to do their class work.

Not only can instructors reserve textbooks, they can also request items such as tests, notes, DVDs, CDs, VHS movies and library books for the students' benefit, Alvarado said.

Instructors and department chairs turn in a request form with their desired materials for reserve to Aivars Norenbergs, reserve learning resources specialist.

To check out reserve items, show a current San Antonio College, Palo Alto College, St. Philip's College, Northwest Vista College, or Alamo Community College District ID card or a San Antonio College library courtesy card.

Members of the public may check out reserve items for two-hour library use with a current ID card from an area college or high school or a current driver's license or Texas Department of Public Safety ID card.

To check for your textbooks, log onto to http://library.alamo.edu/search/r to search by course or instructor. You can also find reserve textbooks by clicking on Course Reserves under the Use It column on the library's home page at www.alamo.edu/sac/library/.

For more information, call the reserve desk at 486-0570 or log on to www.alamo.edu/sac/library/faculty/domas/RESERVE.HTM.