Laptop Checkout for UO Students

Faculty members in need of a laptop loan can contact the Center for Media and Educational Technology.

Computer Help Desk First Floor, Knight Library (Map) lclaptop@uoregon.edu (541) 346-1807	Week of Welcome 9/22 - 9/28
	Saturday/Sunday	12:00pm - 6:00pm
	Fall Term 2008 Hours
	Mon-Thu Fri Sat Sun	8:00am - 10:00pm 8:00am - 5:00pm 11:00am - 5:00pm 11:00am - 10:00pm

About & Policies | Bookings | Laptop Specs | Help!

What is Laptop Checkout?

Laptop Checkout is a Knight Library service available to current UO students seeking a short-term mobile computing solution. Students presenting UO ID and one alternate form of photo ID may check out a Dell laptop for a standard loan period of up to four (4) hours, and renewal is not guaranteed. (Note: before checking out a laptop students are required to complete the loan agreement form once per term.) Though this service is made available for drop-in students, it is highly recommended that students book (reserve) a laptop, particularly during the later weeks of the term. For more information on booking, click here.

Only four hours?

The Laptop Checkout Office has a limited number of machines and in order to ensure that the largest number of students benefit from this service a four (4) hour limit on the loan period has been imposed. However, students seeking multiple four (4) hour loans will be granted renewals based on machine availability and service demand. Additionally any laptop checked out within four (4) hours of office closing (hours listed above) will be due one (1) hour after opening the next day, thereby granting a longer loan period.

How do renewals work?

When a student returns a laptop to the Laptop Checkout Office, they may request an additional four (4) hour loan. If no other student has booked the machine in question, the added time will be granted. Renewals must be made in person, and renewal over the phone or by email is NOT available at this time.

How do bookings work?

For a complete guide to booking the laptops, please click here.

What happens if a laptop is returned late?

Bad things. Late laptops are subject to a steep fine of $20.00 per hour, for any fraction of the hour late. This policy is in place to encourage students to return laptops on time, and to give the library the best chance possible of honoring bookings (reservations) made by other students. Additionally, students who repeatedly return machines late may be blocked from checking out laptops in the future.

Wait - $20.00 per hour for any faction of the hour late?

Right. This means that if a laptop is due at 9:00 am and returned to the Laptop Checkout Office at 10:05 am a $40.00 fine will be assessed to the student's account. Similarly if a machine is due at 4:30 pm and the student fails to return it until 6:35 pm, a $60.00 fine will be assessed. All fines are paid through the student's University billing account.

Even if the laptop is only 10 minutes late?

Laptops are due at the given due date/time - no later. There is no grace period for late returns and if a student fails to return the laptop before the due date/time they are subject to the fines.

What about fine appeals?

If a student wishes to appeal a fine, he/she can do so by contacting Matt Coughlin (ITC Coordinator) at mcoughli@uoregon.edu or 346-1783. In any message the student should include his/her name and ID number, as well as the best way for Matt to reach them.

What kinds of machines are available?

The primary model of laptop available at the Laptop Checkout Office is currently the Dell Latitude D620. There are also a smaller number of Dell Latitude D600 machines available. Both laptop models have wireless adapters and the latest version of the Microsoft Office suite of applications. For full specs and the list of installed software for each model, click here. There are currently no Mac laptops available.

What if a laptop is damaged?

Any laptop loaned out by the Laptop Checkout Office has been inspected for damages. If a machine has cosmetic, or other minor damages that should not affect the general operation of the laptop, staff will point out those damage(s) and the machine will be loaned out. (Any machine deemed unworthy for circulation will not be loaned out to begin with.) When borrowed, the laptop is the responsibility of the student, and damages discovered at the next check-in will result in damages fees. Like late fines, damages are billed directly to the university account. The amount charged will depend on the nature and extent of the damages. In extreme cases the full replacement cost of the laptop may be assessed to the student's account.

Maintained by: Matt Coughlin, mcoughli@uoregon.edu
Last Modified: 09/26/2008