The laptops were purchased to promote information literacy efforts and to increase library access points by circulating wireless laptops to ACC students and staff for in-library use only. When laptops are not being used for instruction by faculty librarians, they can be borrowed from the library circulation desks.

Checkout Rules

• Laptops are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
• Laptops may not leave the library under any circumstances. 
• The individual who checks out the laptop will be held financially responsible for loss or damage to the laptop or accessories.

LAPTOPS SHOULD NEVER BE LEFT UNATTENDED.
If the user needs to leave the library, the user should return it to the circulation desk or ask desk staff to keep it behind the desk until the user can pick it up again. The loan period will not be extended to accommodate this.
• Laptops may not be used to engage in illegal activities or to disrupt other users. Users agree to abide by Library Acceptable Use Guidelines. ( http://library.austincc.edu/gen-info/AUP/acceptableUse.php )

Borrowers

• Only ACC students, faculty, and staff with a current ACC ID, a picture ID, and a clear library record may check out laptops.
• Only the individual who checked out the laptop may use it. Under no circumstances will an individual be allowed to check out a laptop for someone else.

All borrowers must sign the Laptop Checkout Agreement before checkout. (See below.)

Laptop Checkout Agreement

Users sign a laptop agreement that explains their responsibilities, fines, and repair or replacement costs. Both library staff and students verify on the agreement the condition of the equipment. 

Loan Periods

• Users may check out laptops for up to 3 hours only; there are no renewals or holds.
• Laptops must be returned 30 minutes before the library closes to allow time to inspect the laptop at checkin. Users should allow fifteen minutes to complete checkin.

Fines and Replacement or Damage Charges

• Fines on overdue laptops accrue at a rate of $10 per hour. Maximum fine is $50.
• Billing for non-returned or damaged laptops and accessories includes the full replacement cost ($1500 per laptop) or repair cost, accumulated overdue fines, and a $50 processing charge.  If the exact laptop model or accessory is no longer available, replacement cost will be the actual price of a similar item in terms of quality, durability, and performance. 
• Failure to abide by these guidelines or to return equipment on time and in good condition may result in loss of borrowing privileges, placement on student records hold, and other actions by the College.

Software Available

• Software applications include Internet Explorer to browse the Internet and Office productivity software to help users complete assignments.
• Users are prohibited from adding software to the laptop. The attempt to or act of adding, deleting, or altering computer hardware, software, or settings is a violation of the Laptop Checkout Agreement and the Library Acceptable Use Guidelines.

USERS MAY NOT INSTALL PROGRAMS OR CHANGE SYSTEM SETTINGS.

Support Available

• Faculty Librarians offer assistance with library resources, such as the library catalog and library web pages, online periodical indexes and full-text databases, online reference databases, and Internet searches. Faculty Librarians may be able to help users with Blackboard or email questions as well.

• Circulation Staff can check out a new laptop if a problem develops with your laptop.

• Library staff are not responsible for teaching users how to use the laptop or a software application. If the user does not know how to use a laptop or an application, we encourage the user to postpone the transaction.

Borrowers are responsible for:

• Understanding the mechanics of laptop hardware and software.
• Completing, signing, and following the Laptop Checkout Agreement.
• Inspecting the equipment at checkout.
• Removing their files and data before checkin.
• Returning the equipment to a library staff member at the circulation desk (not left on desk) on time and in good condition.
• Inspecting the equipment at checkin (with the staff member).

Circulation staff are responsible for:

• Checking for valid ACC and picture IDs.
• Checking that the user’s library record is clear.
• Seeing that the user reads and signs the Laptop Checkout Agreement.
• Inspecting the equipment at checkout and checkin (with the user).
• Charging and re-imaging laptops.
• Locking up the laptop after use.

Library staff are NOT responsible for:

• Instructing the user on how to use the laptop or applications.
• The condition of the hardware/software upon return of the laptop.

Printing and Saving Information

• The laptops work on a wireless network attached to network printers. Users may print up to 15 pages a day for no charge. The charge for additional pages is ten cents a page.
• Users may save data to portable media such as USB drives. Any data saved to the hard drive will be cleared upon checkin.