 |
 |
We check them out through our circulation system, make the patron sign a note saying they will be held responsible for unusual damage and let 'em go. We have a 4 hour loan period. If they're late returning, they get a fine. If they damage the laptop they pay for the repair. We keep a log of normal wear and tear and don't hold the users responsible for normal wear such as the lid hinge wearing out. However if they crack the monitor, or break the keyboard, or try to stuff the CD player in backward, then they get billed. We used to try to keep them inside the library's security gates. We had security strips hidden all through the laptop cases, but then the University opened a Starbucks right outside the security gates and we just couldn't see keeping the children away from their coffee. We've been checking out laptops for about 5 years now. We just started letting them out of the building this year. So far so good... David On 09/13/2010 6:39 PM, Jim Semmelroth wrote: > > Hi. We are just looking at providing notebooks to patrons with the > intent that they will stay in the building. Does anyone have any > experiences, good or bad, regarding various techniques to keep patrons > from walking off with these notebooks? > > We have checkpoint EM gates. We use 3M targets. We can’t seem to place > targets on notebooks at a place where they will reliably set the gates > off. We don’t care for the solution whereby the already stolen > notebook calls into a service to locate itself, such as LoJack. > > Has anyone tried anything else? Thanks. > > _____________________ > > Jim Semmelroth > > Missoula Public Library > > [log in to unmask] <mailto:[log in to unmask]> > > 406 258 3849 > -- David Robinson -- Systems Librarian James E. Walker Library Middle Tennessee State University