Laptop Checkout for UO Students

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

About & Policies | Bookings | Laptop Specs | Help!

What is Laptop Checkout?

Laptop Checkout is a Library service available to current UO students seeking a short-term mobile computing solution. Current students presenting UO ID or other suitable 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 Science Library has a limited number of machines which are used both for student check-out and classroom instruction. 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, a laptop checked out within four hours of closing will usually be due one hour after opening the next day, thereby granting a longer loan period; the exception to this rule will be if a laptop is needed for classroom instruction before two hours after the opening time, in which case the laptop will be due at closing time.

How do renewals work?

When a student returns a laptop to the Science checkout desk, 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.

Please note: we strongly suggest you back up/save your work (that is, email it to yourself, or upload to googledocs, or save on a thumb drive or any other thing that is not "just save on the laptop") before bringing the computer for a new checkout. It's possible someone will be waiting for it, and that means you can't check it back out, which means we can't very well release it back to you to retrieve your work then, and it's often problematic to even allow you to stand at the desk and do what you need to do. Really, save first.

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 fraction of the hour late?

Right. This means that if a laptop is due at 9:00 am and returned to the desk 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 billed and paid through the student's University billing account.

What about fine appeals?

If a student wishes to appeal a fine, s/he can begin at the Science Library checkout desk or contact the Science Library Manager

What kinds of machines are available?

The primary model of laptop available at the Science Library is currently the Dell Latitude D830. The machines all have wireless capability and the latest version of the Microsoft Office suite of applications. Click here for more information about the hardware, and here for a list of software.

What if a laptop is damaged?

Any laptop loaned out by the Science Library 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: Lara Nesselroad, lnessel@uoregon.edu
Last Modified: 08/11/2009