Laptop Computers

Thirty (30) Gateway 450X laptops are available for loan in the Learning Commons to current Ohio University students, faculty and staff on a first-come/first-served basis (reservations are not accepted and there are no waiting lists).

• The laptops are for loan in the Alden Library only, and may not exit the building.
• Borrowers must present his/her valid Ohio University ID and one other photo ID (driver's license, passport, etc.) in order to check-out a laptop for a 3-hour time period, or portion thereof, during the hours of availability (see "Hours of Availability" section below). Borrowers will be held responsible for laptops checked out with their O.U. ID, so no one can check out a laptop for anyone else.
• Check-out renewals are not permitted. Laptops may be checked out for contiguous 3-hour periods only if there is no one waiting to use a laptop.
• There is no charge for usage, but late fees will be assessed when a laptop is not returned on time. There is no grace period. Borrowers will be charged for damage to the laptop incurred during their loan period. If a laptop is lost or stolen, the borrower will be charged a non-refundable $1,700.00 replacement fee (see "Fines and Fees" section below). Fines and fees cannot be appealed.
• Borrowers must bring laptops back to the Learning Commons service desk by the end of the loan period, and hand it to an employee to avoid late charges.

Hours of Availability

Laptops will be available for loan on the following days/times:

Noon Sunday through 11:30 pm Friday, excluding 3-6 am each day
Saturday: 10 AM - 11:30 pm

The Wireless Laptop & Equipment Loan Program is NOT AVAILABLE during times in the year when academic classes are not in session (during intersessions).

Hardware

Gateway 450X notebooks with Intel Pentium M 1.7GHz processors, 512 MB Ram, 40GB hard drive, DVD/CD-RW combo drive, 64MB ATI Mobility Radeon 9000 video 15" SXGA LCD screen

Software

Each laptop has the same image as the public desktop PCs, with access to the Internet and Oak Email, Microsoft Office, Adobe Creative Suite, etc. The only limitations compared to the public desktop PCs are that the laptops are currently unable to access some Library CD-ROM databases; inquire at the service desk for more details.

Printing

Ohio University students can print from the laptops in Alden Library using the Pcounter pop-up system. Vended printing (including color printing) is currently not available from the laptops.

Saving Files

Laptop users need to save often to their own storage devices, such as burning data to CD, saving work to a USB flash drive, or saving to Oak Network Storage. The laptops will be re-imaged regularly, and data saved in temporary storage will be deleted and permanently lost.

Limitations on Use

Students may not attach their own hardware (laptops, drivers, printers, etc.) to the laptops. Neither may they install their own software, change settings, or download any plug-ins. Laptops may not be removed from the Alden Library.

Fines and Fees (subject to change)

Although there is no cost to use a laptop computer, there are late fees ($5.00 per hour) for late returns, damage fees (cost of replacing the damaged part/s), and replacement fees ($1,700.00) if the unit is lost or stolen. Fines and fees are non-negotiable. Borrowers with outstanding fines and/or fees will be ineligible to check-out another laptop or other library materials, an academic hold will be placed on the student's record at the Bursar's office, and he/she may be suspended from additional academic activities.

Damage Assessment

Learning Commons personnel will check each laptop for damage prior to and concluding each check-out period.

Lost or Stolen Equipment

Borrowers of laptops are responsible for equipment during the check-out period. Use of the laptops is permitted only in the Library during the recorded check-out period. If a laptop is not returned within 12 hours, it will be considered lost or stolen and the Ohio University Police Department (OUPD) will be contacted immediately. The borrower will be liable for all fines and replacement fees.

By signing the "Borrowers' Signatures" sheet, it is understood that you have read and agree to the above terms of use regarding the Alden Library Wireless Laptop Loan Program. You are therefore responsible to comply with these terms of use, and you will be held liable for all fines and fees accrued during your check-out periods.