Get a Scan and Course Reserves Requests
Request a scan of a book chapter or article
Get a Scan is a free service that allows currently affiliated UT Austin patrons to request scans of single book chapters and articles from the UT Libraries collections or from other libraries. We can provide one chapter/article per request, and up to 3 chapters from a single book with individual requests. We cannot provide scans of full books.
We utilize HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access and will provide links to full text eBooks when HathiTrust can be used to fulfill your request
Fill out the Article/Chapter request form. Providing a complete and accurate citation can expedite delivery time. Google Scholar is useful for checking a citation if you are unsure of the accuracy of your source. Google Scholar may also link to the full text of the article you seek. When your request is ready, you will receive an email with a link to download your chapter or article in PDF format from our platform.
Faculty and Instructor Course Reserves Request (Fall 2020)
Due to COVID 19 safety restrictions, the UT Libraries physical Course Reserves service is not available. As an alternative, we are processing requests for online access to Reserves content to provide what is requested in digital format, where possible. We may scan articles, single book chapters, and will purchase eBooks eBooks where available. Similarly, we will seek to obtain streaming access to DVD and other media content.
The following considerations apply:
- Entire books cannot be scanned
- Only one chapter/article per request form
- Digitization of DVDs for streaming requires licensing, please allow extra time for this process
- Not all books are available as eBooks that can be added to the collection
- We utilize HathiTrust Emergency Temporary Access and will provide links to full text eBooks when HathiTrust can be used to fulfill your request
- Ebooks in our online catalog can be linked to your course number for easy discovery by your students
Get a Scan FAQ
Who is eligible?
Current UT Austin students, faculty and staff as well as UT Austin retirees. See Interlibrary Services for Organizations and Document Express for Individuals if you are not a current UT student, faculty or staff.
How long does it take?
A Get a Scan request takes from 1 to 3 days for you to receive your scan. In the event that we are unable to scan an article or chapter from the UT collections, we will order it from another library, and delivery may take longer than three days.
What can I request to be scanned?
You can request:
- Articles and book chapters that are 50 pages or less. One article or chapter per request form.
- Entire books published before 1923 (page limit and exceptions below still apply).
Restrictions:
- Only one article or chapter per request form submitted.
- Only three chapters from a book still within copyright may be scanned.
- Books on reserve are not eligible for the Get A Scan service.
- We cannot scan chapters from books that you currently have checked out.
- There is no rush processing available for the Get A Scan service.
- Requests for entire books submitted systematically chapter by chapter are a copyright violation and will be cancelled.
- Get a Scan is not a replacement for course required textbooks.
- We cannot scan books or journals that are in poor or fragile condition, AV materials, maps, plays (unless part of a collection or anthology).
- We cannot scan materials from the following libraries and collections:
- Architecture Special Collections
- Benson Special Collections
- Fine Arts Library special collections
- Harry Ransom Center
- Briscoe Center for American History
- Stark Center
- Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center
Request Limits:
- There is no limit to the number of requests you can submit, but no more than 10 requests will be processed for each patron in one day.
How much does it cost?
There is no charge for this service for current UT students, faculty and staff.
© The University of Texas at Austin 2020
