However, paper reserves suffer from a number of inherent limitations. Only one student at a time can consult a course reading on reserve. To get a paper reserve reading, students must go to the library. Paper reserves are subject to wear and tear and loss. Paper reserves require maintenance, readings must be refiled or reshelved after use, statistics must be kept manually, etc.
Electronic reserves eliminate many of the disadvantages of paper reserves.
Since the readings are available online over the Internet, students can consult them from any computer capable of accessing the Internet. Further, online readings are available anywhere the student has access to the Web, not just in the library. There is no limitation on how many students can consult a given reading at the same time. Electronic course readings are not subject to being lost or damaged, as are paper readings. An advantage for Reserve Book Room staff is that electronic course readings do not need to be refiled after students have finished using them.