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Circulating Laptop Computers
9:49 AM EDT 5/9/07
Our library is hoping to have four wireless equipped laptop computers available for patrons to borrow in the library. We don't have room to add additional computers without removing our comfortable seating so we are going to try letting people search in the comfortable seating. We have spoken with our city attorney and our police chief and are looking for language to use to have patrons sign so they understand they are responsible for damage to the computers while checked out to them. The computers will have Deep Freeze, Symantec Anti-Virus and ContentProtect Professional on them to minimize damage. Is anyone else checking out computers for library use? Is anyone willing to share their circulation policies? I know some university libraries have circulated laptops for students, but I'm not aware of public libraries?
Thanks,
Diane
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
4:45 PM EDT 7/24/07
as a reply to Diane Adams.
did you ever receive any response to this or move forward with it?
we are looking at doing something similar
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
5:02 PM EST 11/27/07
as a reply to Diane Adams.
I am curious to know how has your laptop program been doing. where did you get the grants for the laptops?
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
5:05 PM EST 11/27/07
as a reply to Diane Adams.
Is there anyone out there that has had success with circulatiing laptops? what grants or funds are out there for buying laptops?
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
10:42 AM EST 1/21/08
as a reply to Diane Adams.
My library is also in process of circulating laptops. I am also curious to find out circulating polices for laptops in public libraries.
Message was edited by:
tfinney
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
7:11 PM EST 1/28/08
as a reply to Tanya Finney.
This question should remain relevant as laptop prices continue to drop. As a result, we've made it the [url /forums/message.jspa?messageID=49015#49015]question
of the week[/url]!
People will post their suggestions here in your topic or as a comment on [url http://blog.webjunctionworks.org/index.php/2008/01/28/question-of-the-week-circulating-laptop-program/]BlogJunction[/url].
Thanks for the great question!
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
6:37 PM EST 1/29/08
as a reply to Diane Adams.
We have 10 laptops for check-out within the library
Library laptops are for In-Library Use only.
Patrons who check out a library laptop or wireless network
card must meet the following requirements:
- Patrons account must be in good standing and current (i.e. no fines over $5 and not expired).
- Patrons must leave their drivers or other government-issued ID with the Technology Hub Attendant for the duration of the laptop loan period. (The ID and library card must match)
- Patrons under 16 who do not have a drivers license must have their parents permission to checkout a laptop. Parent must provide a library card AND driver's license or other government-issued photo ID.
- Patrons can only check out one laptop or wireless access card at one time.
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
6:47 PM EST 1/29/08
as a reply to Mike Benson.
Also we use Deep Freeze and AVG for virus. Deep freeze works great! When the patron shuts the computer down all changes are erased. This lets us allow them to have a few more privileges when they are using the computer.
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
2:39 PM EST 2/1/08
as a reply to Mike Benson.
First of all, Mike, welcome to the discussion Forums!
Secondly, thanks for the reminder about Deep Freeze. It looks like a few of our community members are using this on PACs but I hadn't seen any mention of it in the past year or so.
Are there other solutions folks are using and happy (or dissatisfied) with?
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
11:58 AM EST 2/4/08
as a reply to Tim King.
On our non-lending laptops that we use for our computer classes we have Centurion DriveShield.
It works pretty well. Once the computer restarts, it restores everything to its original settings.
We just have to remind patrons in our classes not to save anything on the laptops because it will be erase.
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
12:03 PM EST 2/4/08
as a reply to Mike Benson.
I like the idea of leaving a driver's or government issued ID.
How about laptop security regarding theft?
I know some organization have Lojacks on their laptops, but I am not sure how expense that is and is there another solution?
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
2:35 PM EST 2/4/08
as a reply to Tim King.
I was just told about this article on Alachua County Library District's and their experiences with laptop checkouts.
Here;
http://maintainitproject.org/spotlight
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
2:55 PM EST 2/4/08
as a reply to Tanya Finney.
Hi everyone,
There's also more in-depth information on laptop checkout programs in the latest Cookbook, available free, here:
Recipes for a 5-Star Library Cookbook
http://www.maintainitproject.org/cookbooks
Chapter 7 and Appendix B, C, and D cover laptop checkout programs
The MaintainIT Project gathers stories from public libraries across the country, and publishes tips and techniques in free Cookbooks available on our web site. If we haven't yet talked to you, please get in touch with us. We'd love to spotlight your library.
maintainit@techsoup.org
Cheers,
-sarah
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Re: Circulating Laptop Computers
9:35 AM EDT 7/18/08
as a reply to Mike Benson.
Mike,
We are considering using AVG to replace our Symantec antivirus program. Are you happy with it, and its cost? Does anyone else have an antivirus suggestion?
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