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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/ > >> > > > > > > >