Student Laptop Checkout Policy
Purpose:
This policy is intended to establish terms and conditions under which laptop computers are made available to St. Cloud State University (SCSU) students from the Circulation Desk in the James W. Miller Learning Resources Center (Miller Center). This laptop checkout service is intended to meet students’ temporary mobile computing needs.
Definitions:
Short-Term Laptop:
- Available for checkout to students only
- Checked out until 12:00 noon the next day of library service
- Checkout is on a first-come first-served basis
Long-Term Laptop:
- Available for checkout to students only
- Checked out for a period of one week
- There is a checkout waiting list available
Policy:
- Short and long-term laptops are available for checkout by SCSU students registered for courses in the current or next term.
- Laptops are checked out on a first-come first-served basis.
- Students may have only one laptop checked out at a time.
- There are no checkout renewals for the laptops.
- All laptops must be returned to the Circulation Desk no later than noon on the due date.
- Due dates and times may be adjusted to accommodate changes in library hours, and will be set only for days and times that the library is open.
- Laptops are to be returned to the Miller Center Circulation Desk in the same condition as when checked out.
- The student in whose name the laptop is checked out will be held responsible for any fees associated with repair, replacement, or late return of the laptop.
- Learning Resources Services (LRS) reserves the right to refuse checkout for any reason including, but not limited to, late returns, outstanding fines, damaged equipment, and missing accessories. It is the responsibility of LRS to examine the laptop when it is returned and note its physical and operating condition.
Procedure:
Before checking out the laptop, students are required to present an SCSU ID card, which will be scanned to make sure the student is currently registered.
Waiting Lists (for long-term laptops only)
When no long-term laptops are available for checkout, students may request to have their name placed on the waiting list; requests may be made by phone or in person. A student may have their name on the waiting list only once. When a long-term laptop becomes available, the student will be sent an email indicating the method and deadline of laptop pick up. The student will sign a copy of the notification email at the time of checkout. If the reserved laptop is not picked up by the deadline, it will be made available to the next student on the waiting list.
Fines and Replacement Charges
For any laptop returned late (after 12:00 noon on the due date), students will incur a late fine of $25.00. An additional $25.00 fine per day will be incurred until the laptop is returned. On the 5th calendar day past the due date, students will be billed for the replacement cost of the laptop and accessories. They will be notified of this charge via email; Student Life & Development will also receive a copy of the email. If the laptop is returned after the student is billed for replacement, a late fine will be assessed at the rate of $25 per day late. If the laptop has not been returned within the next three days, Student Life and Development will determine appropriate further action. The laptop and all accessories checked out with the laptop will be billed separately if not returned. A repair or replacement cost, as determined by the library, will be assessed for damaged materials.
Suspension of Privileges
Students with unpaid late fines and/or replacement charges totaling $60 or more will be denied laptop checkout privileges. Abuse of borrowing privileges (late returns, damaged equipment, etc.) may also result in the suspension of laptop checkout privileges. Circulation staff will make the decision to suspend privileges for abuse and will notify the student, the Dean of Learning Resources Services, and the Office of Student Life and Development.
Patrons may appeal library charges by completing the Library Fines Appeal form (pdf).
Approved by LRS Dean’s Advisory Council: April 11, 2012
Last reviewed by PPC: March 29, 2012
Last revised by PPC: March 29, 2012
