RE: Circulating Laptops in the Library

[Richard.Griffin@xxxxxxxxxx]

At Oregon State we have been circulating laptops for about two years.
Popularity of the service peaked a while ago and usage is declining slightly
as more people use their own laptops in the library ( we offer network data
ports at many locations in the building).
 Our laptop lending policies are available at
http://osulibrary.orst.edu/computing/laptop1.htm

Laptop computers are checked out using the Innovative circulation system by
having a single bib. record with item records for each machine.  Computers
have their own  ITYPE and loan rules.  Users must have preauthorization to
checkout a computer, and we keep track of that using PCODE2.

We have about 20 computers, though at any given time quite a few are out of
service for repair.  We used to use Progen computers, which did not stand up
to the wear and tear and abuse at all.  We now use Dell computers but they
too have a fairly high problem rate with the sort of use they get.  We have
had about 5 computers stolen, mostly by people using fake IDs.  We have
"uglified" the computers and have engraved ownership markings to reduce
their resale value.  We also have a problem with people doing things like
removing the network card to use temporarily in their own computer or
switching out our good battery for their own bad one, etc. so we now have
security stickers over all internal compartments. Finding time to do a
system check when the computers are returned is often a problem and so we
often cannot ascribe damage to a particular user in order to recover costs.

In summary, it is a popular service, but it can be a lot of work and expense
to maintain.

~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~~
Richard Griffin                                      
Head, Library Technology Dept.                     
121 Valley Library                  
Oregon State University                               
Corvallis OR 97331-4501

E-mail: richard.griffin@xxxxxxxxxx       
Phone: (541)737-4784
Fax: (541)737-3453 





-----Original Message-----
From: owner-innopac@xxxxxxxxxx
[mailto:owner-innopac@xxxxxxxxxx]On Behalf Of Peggy Richard
Sent: Wednesday, June 13, 2001 9:48 AM
To: 'innopac@xxxxxxxxxx'
Subject: RE: Circulating Laptops in the Library


Please reply to the list, I'm also interested in this conversation.

Peggy Richard
Assistant University Librarian for Systems
Nova Southeastern University
Shepard Broad Law Center, Law Library & Technology Center
3305 College Avenue
Fort Lauderdale, Florida  33314
954-262-4648
800-541-6682 ext. 4648
fax 954-262-3840
prichard@xxxxxxxxxx


-----Original Message-----
From: oowopetu [mailto:oowopetu@xxxxxxxxxx]
Sent: Tuesday, June 12, 2001 8:34 PM
To: innopac@xxxxxxxxxx
Subject: Circulating Laptops in the Library


I will like to know if any of the Innovative user libraries circulate
Laptops
in their library.  How are the equipment catalogued and circulated?  What
kind
of security measures do you use?  What are your loss and / or damage rate?

Please reply directly to me; oowopetu@xxxxxxxxxx
Thank you.
Ruth

Ruth O. Owopetu
Electronic Services Librarian
Allen Mercer Daniel Law Library
Howard University School of Law
(202)806-8036/oowopetu@xxxxxxxxxx

--
This message was distributed through the Innovative Users Group INNOPAC
list.
Private replies:  oowopetu <oowopetu@xxxxxxxxxx>
Public replies:   INNOPAC@xxxxxxxxxx
Archives:  http://innopacusers.org/list/archives/
--
This message was distributed through the Innovative Users Group INNOPAC
list.
Private replies:  Peggy Richard <richardp@xxxxxxxxxx>
Public replies:   INNOPAC@xxxxxxxxxx
Archives:  http://innopacusers.org/list/archives/

--
This message was distributed through the Innovative Users Group INNOPAC
list.
Private replies:  "Wendy Yurt" <wyurt@xxxxxxxxxx>
Public replies:   INNOPAC@xxxxxxxxxx
Archives:  http://innopacusers.org/list/archives/
--
This message was distributed through the Innovative Users Group INNOPAC list.
Private replies:  Richard.Griffin@xxxxxxxxxx
Public replies:   INNOPAC@xxxxxxxxxx
Archives:  http://innopacusers.org/list/archives/