Long Beach City College Library has about 100 Chromebooks that can be
checked out.  The school is a Microsoft 365 college, but since IT was
unable to support a laptop program we went with Chromebooks.  Since
Microsoft 365, Canvas and most other resources only need a web browser to
access them the Chromebooks have been very popular and when they are
returned to "power wash" them takes little to no technical expertise.  The
College also has a program for qualifying students to be assigned a
Chromebook for the semester through Student Services, they currently have
around 500 Chromebooks.

Jeff Sabol
Long Beach City College

On Tue, Oct 3, 2023 at 10:55 AM Hammer, Erich F <[log in to unmask]> wrote:

> If we were a "Google school", I would be all in on the Chromebooks for
> patrons.  However as a Microsoft campus, it makes things a lot more
> complicated.
>
> Thanks,
> Erich
>
>
> On Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 13:47, Tamara Marnell eloquently inscribed:
>
> > A community college library I worked for in the past faced similar
> > issues with Windows laptops and iPads. IT said they couldn't set up
> > laptops to allow sign-ins to Active Directory accounts, so there was
> > just a generic login or no login. IT required Deep Freeze, but it would
> > wipe the students' files if they shut the computer down. Staff spent an
> > inordinate amount of time re-imaging the machines after they came back.
> > One student somehow managed to update Windows to a new major version,
> > and all the purchased software was lost because Microsoft/Adobe/etc. had
> > moved to account- based subscription models. And so on.
> >
> > The solution was to switch to Chromebooks, let patrons log in with their
> > own Google accounts to get their apps and files, and just "powerwash" the
> > machines back to factory settings every time they came back. A powerwash
> > removes all user data, including downloaded files and apps, so all
> > circulation staff needed to do was run that, sign in to a shared staff
> > Google account to ensure they'd have access later, and put it back in the
> > cabinet. Also Chromebooks are half the price of "proper" laptops, so if
> > someone lost or broke one, they were responsible for $200-400 replacement
> > fees vs. $1000+. That's probably why they're popular in high schools.
> >
> > -Tamara
> >
> > On Tue, Oct 3, 2023 at 9:39 AM Hammer, Erich F <[log in to unmask]> wrote:
> >
> >> Bruce,
> >>
> >> So many questions...
> >>
> >> 24 hour loans: * Given the zeroth rule, "without physical security, you
> >> have no security", how do you trust that the system hasn't been
> >> manipulated in a way that compromises future users? * How are you
> >> "clearing" the system between users? * Are you using auto-login, or do
> >> users log in as themselves? * How are you ensuring Windows and/or
> >> applications are updated/patched? * How have you trained access
> >> services staff/students to identify damage?
> >>
> >> * Only 5 damaged systems/year out of 250!!?  We used to have 5/semester
> >> out of 25.  Missing keycaps, damaged ports, loose hinges, and filthy.
>  The
> >> repair center *HATED* the program, and the laptops looked like something
> >> the dog dragged in.
> >>
> >> Lack of funding and severe lack of available staff killed our lending
> >> program, but it was so popular that we are trying to figure out how to
> >> get it going again.  The last time I asked (on the LABMAN listserv),
> >> the consensus was that for security, laptops simply must be re-imaged
> >> after every loan and if you are doing that anyway, you may as well set
> >> up auto-login with admin rights so users can easily do what they need.
> >> The "vending" machine kiosks can do that kind of re-imaging, but
> >> hoo-boy, $$$$!
> >>
> >> Thanks,
> >> Erich
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >> On Tuesday, October 3, 2023 at 11:56, Bruce Orcutt eloquently inscribed:
> >>
> >>> We have a laptop loan program, with two levels, semester loan, and a 24
> >>> hour loan.
> >>>
> >>> Funding / budget Initial was grants, especially COVID related.
> >>> Besides that, retired staff laptops can enter the mix of laptops loaned
> >>>
> >>> Software supplied / admin access / management tools Software: O365
> >>> tools, Adobe tools are the basics Admin:  24 hour loan, no user admin
> >>> access. Semester: user must come in, log in once, then systems staff
> >>> adds users as a local admin Management: both: Windows Defender,
> >>> GoToAssist, nessus, Carbon Black. 24 hour: add smart shield.  Anything
> >>> saved on hard drive is lost upon reboot, ALL data must be saved on USB
> >>> or OneDrive, google drive, etc
> >>>
> >>> Processes and time spent when a laptop is returned Semester: machine
> >>> put in pile for systems.  Systems re-images with default system image,
> >>> then returns to available use pile for access services 24 hour:
> >>> Reboot, check for physical damage, if damage leave for systems
> >>> department review.  Otherwise, return to available pile
> >>>
> >>> Loan rules / circulation / fines and fees Semester: request queue
> >>> starts 4 weeks before semester starts. Simple web form and database,
> >>> used to track between access and systems Used to track how many
> >>> available, when user will be coming in to pick up, how many on standby
> >>> users (if no one picks up, they get their chance) Ends 1 week after
> >>> semester ends. MUST request anew EACH semester. VERY popular program,
> >>> regularly run out of these before semester starts
> >>>
> >>> 24 hour:
> >>> Ask at circ desk, get laptop/charger/bag if available
> >>> Return within 24 hours
> >>>
> >>> Not sure of fines/fees.  If an extended duration, then been a few
> >>> cases where police get involved as potential theft due to policies
> >>> above the library.
> >>>
> >>> Partnerships with other departments / role of Library / role of IT
> >>> Coordinated a bit from campus IT, especially helping with custom
> >>> designed image for reimaging quickly Library primary IT, but primary
> >>> use support is via campus IT Library 100% in charge of distribution
> >>> and maintenance
> >>>
> >>> Number of computers vs. patron population / % of laptops checked out /
> > #
> >> of
> >>> lost or damaged computers I believe our current student population is
> >>> approximately 35k this year. Semester laptops available I believe (but
> >>> not sure), about 250.  ALL get taken, every semester Not sure how many
> >>> in pool of 24 hour laptops Usually maybe 5 truly damaged machines
> >>> requiring true repair over the case of a full year. Many more turned
> >>> in as "not working" and found a quick reimage or reboot solves the
> >>> issue, and able to be reissued.
> >>>
> >>> Success stories. VERY popular.  Popular with head of library, popular
> >>> with Provost, popular with student body. Earned us a LOT of good will.
> >>>
> >>> Anything else?
> >>>
> >>> Hope this helps
> >>>
> >>> -----Original Message----- From: Code for Libraries
> >>> <[log in to unmask]> On Behalf Of Kucera, Ann F Sent: Tuesday,
> >>> October 3, 2023 10:30 AM To: [log in to unmask] Subject:
> >>> [EXTERNAL] [CODE4LIB] Laptop loans - seeking information
> >>>
> >>>   **EXTERNAL EMAIL** This email originated outside of The University
> >>>   of Texas at San Antonio. Please exercise caution when clicking on
> >>>   links or opening attachments.
> >>> Hello Everyone,
> >>>
> >>> I'm interested in getting information about the details and
> >>> practicalities of laptop loan programs. Anything you can share that's
> >>> working or not would be appreciated. If you have comments on just some
> >>> of the topics below that would be great. Additionally, if you get any
> >>> input from your IT staff about any of these things that is great too.
> >>> I'm happy to post a summary to the list.
> >>>
> >>> Here are some categories I'm interested in hearing about.
> >>>
> >>> Funding / budget
> >>>
> >>> Software supplied / admin access / management tools
> >>>
> >>> Processes and time spent when a laptop is returned
> >>>
> >>> Loan rules / circulation / fines and fees
> >>>
> >>> Partnerships with other departments / role of Library / role of IT
> >>>
> >>> Number of computers vs. patron population / % of laptops checked out /
> > #
> >> of
> >>> lost or damaged computers
> >>>
> >>> Success stories.
> >>>
> >>> Anything else?
> >>>
> >>> Contact of anyone who would be willing to chat more about this.
> >>>
> >>> Thanks so much!
> >>>
> >>> Ann Kucera (she, hers) Manager of Library Systems Adobe Digital Lounge
> >>> Coordinator Park Library 204A  |  Central Michigan University  |
> >>> Mount Pleasant, MI 48859 P: 989-774-2404  |  E: [log in to unmask]
> >>> http://www.cmich.edu/
> >>
> >
> >
>
>
>