The library seeks to support the reserves needs of undergraduate students in 1000, 2000, and 3000 series courses in all disciplines and graduate students in history and the humanities. The major specific and advanced reserves needs of science and engineering, social science, and music students are largely fulfilled in the various departmental libraries with collections in those areas.

The Butler Reserves collection is maintained at the study and teaching or curricular support level.

None. Faculty members submit lists of needed materials. Duplicate copies (1 copy for every 20 students up to a maximum of 4 copies) are purchased/ photocopied for required reading materials. A single copy is placed in Butler Reserves for recommended readings.