Hi,



We do check out quite a few items like that. Our procedures are very similar to what Nora described. We do circulate a lot of complex pieces of equipment with multiple parts for 7-day checkouts and we use "kit cards" for those items. The kit cards have a list of all parts included in the kit and the student assistants checking the items in and out go through all the parts to make sure everything is in place. We also instruct patrons how to use each of the equipment if they say they are not familiar with it. I highly recommend this as if you don’t show patrons how to use equipment there is a higher chance that damages will occur. We erase all files when cameras/audio recorders are returned and ensure the SD cards are in place. When processing returns all patrons are asked if they transferred their files as they will be erased and we offer them assistance how to if they haven’t or don't know how to. We also have an internal "charging station" where we place items to get charged. Checking out items like such is a bit time consuming and it is definitely a bit challenging at first but after you get a hang of it, it isn't too bad.



For lists of our items:

·         Cameras, tripods, etc.: https://library.csun.edu/learning-commons/creative-media-studio

·         Tablets, laptops, chargers, etc.: https://library.csun.edu/learning-commons/tablet-laptop



I will email you a “kit card” template we have for our GoPro Fusions, I don’t think it would go through here on this listserv.



PS: out of all equipment we have, GoPros are definitely the most damaged items. Their customer support department can be frustrating at times but can also be helpful, it’s a tossup.



I am more than willing to share more information if you’d like!



Good luck!



--Isis





Isis M. Leininger, MLIS

Learning Commons Supervisor, Oviatt Library

California State University, Northridge

18111 Nordhoff Street

Northridge, CA 91330-8326

(818) 677-6305 Office

(818) 677-6304 LTS Desk

(818) 677-2595 CMS Desk

[log in to unmask]



-----Original Message-----
From: Code for Libraries <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Weston, Eleanor (NIH/NIEHS) [C]
Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2019 9:54 AM
To: [log in to unmask]
Subject: Re: [CODE4LIB] Checking out and supporting equipment for patrons



Hi Kyle,



My current library does not check out equipment, but I used to work at a university library that did do this.



For most equipment--things like headphones, calculators, adapter and charger cords--each item was cataloged as an item in the collection, which could be checked out with a library card for a few hours at a time. Many of these items were for in-library use only. The items themselves were kept in a locked cabinet behind the circ desk, and could be requested by patrons at the desk.



For things like tablets, laptops, and eBook readers, the charger cord was cataloged and checked out as a separate item. I think all instructions were kept behind the circ desk as well, though I never noticed anyone asking for them.



For more sophisticated equipment, like projectors and cameras, users had to reserve them by the hour. When users checked items like this out from the Media Resource Center, the person on the desk would offer to explain how it worked and go through the list of all the things in the case which would need to be returned. They also had users sign a form confirming that they understood their responsibilities with this equipment and when it needed to be returned. There were also hefty fines for bringing this kind of equipment back late ($30/hour when I was there), though staff would usually waive this if it was only a few minutes late and the user apologized.



Here is the page they have for equipment checkout now: https://urldefense.proofpoint.com/v2/url?u=https-3A__library.unc.edu_services_circulation_loan-5Faccessories_&d=DwIGaQ&c=Oo8bPJf7k7r_cPTz1JF7vEiFxvFRfQtp-j14fFwh71U&r=hBWAoXjfK5TNjGhioodb-wZmPHS9fU_sGSt9vgI0MRo&m=WN0V2cpgZb9qjof_OKt0ew2MgG7_35f7c1641Fq3oOQ&s=gf2NL79M48KbfPEhWM7o0o8_CgNQdoyEhYfrLmQBjKU&e=



Nora Weston



-----Original Message-----

From: Kyle Banerjee <[log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>>

Sent: Tuesday, June 11, 2019 11:34 AM

To: [log in to unmask]<mailto:[log in to unmask]>

Subject: [CODE4LIB] Checking out and supporting equipment for patrons



If your library does this, how do you manage the myriad of batteries, remotes, cables, cards, mounts, instructions, etc. and what support to you provide for its use?



We will make GoPro equipment available to patrons soon. But simply handing this stuff over to people who are unfamiliar with it sounds like a recipe for lost/damaged components and I'm not sure it's reasonable to expect circ desk workers to recognize when something's not right.



Given how much trouble simple printers cause, it's hard to imagine people won't need help. But dealing with the massive files and producing videos are their own skills -- particularly with the 360 degree Fusion which really requires a superphone and computer with serious horsepower to process the files.



Thanks,



kyle