TECHNOLOGY LENDING POLICY 

The Person County Public Library has laptop computers, and Chromebooks available for patron use. In this policy, the term "library technology" refers to laptop computers and Chromebooks available for checkout by the public.

DELL LAPTOP BORROWING 

PURPOSE:

The Person County Public Library Offers access to laptops equipped with internet and office applications to provide users with information, educational, recreational, and cultural resources. The purpose of the Dell Laptop Borrowing Policy is to establish regulations regarding internet access at Person County Public Library. 

EQUIPMENT:

Dell laptops are equipped with operating software, Microsoft Office, and anti-virus software. No additional software may be installed or downloaded. Patrons wishing to access audio or video files must use headphones.

ELIGIBILITY:

• Patrons must be 16 years of age or older to check-out.
• Patrons must hold a valid library card and be in good standing.
• Patrons must leave photo ID or Student ID at the circulation desk while using the device. 

GUIDELINES:

• The laptop is checked-out on a patron’s library card for in-house use only, for a two-hour time limit, after which time fines will be assessed. 
• Patrons may check-out only one laptop per day.
• Laptops are provided on a first-come, first-serve basis; staff will not take reservations or keep waiting list. 
• Power cords, headphones, and accessories are not supplied by the library. Patrons are welcomed to bring in their own accessories. The library is not responsible for the loss of any accessories. 
• Under no circumstances should a patron leave a laptop unattended. 
• No food or drink is allowed when working on the library’s laptops.
• The library is not responsible for lost or stolen laptops once in a borrower’s possession. 
• A patron’s privilege to check-out a laptop may be suspended if the patron fails to return it on time. 
• All laptops must be returned to the circulation desk 15 minutes prior to closing for inspection purposes. 
• Laptops not returned by library closing time will be considered stolen and the police will be notified. 
• Laptops are equipped with software to restore the computer to its initial state when restarted. Documents saved to the hard drive will automatically delete. 
• Patrons wishing to save files should bring a data storage device.   
STAFF ASSISTANCE
Patron are expected to have a working knowledge of computers and programs. Library staff will assist with basic computer usage questions but are not available for extensive technical support. 

USAGE

The library’s Computer Use Policy applies to laptop use. The borrower is responsible for verifying the condition of the laptop when it is checked-out. 
The laptop batteries hold a charge for a least (2) hours, but the library cannot guarantee that the laptop loaned out will be useable for the full amount of time. It is the user’s responsibility to save data on a USB storage device in the case of battery failure. 
The library is not responsible for any loss or damage to patron’s data or media due to hardware, software, or electrical surge failure, or any other cause while the patron is using the laptop. 
Laptops may not be used to engage in illegal activities or disturb other library users. 
Tampering with library equipment, operating systems, software or programming or bypassing security is prohibited and will result in suspension of use. 
The library reserves the right to restrict or terminate computer use privileges or any patron abusing library equipment or not adhering to library policies.

FINES

Borrower assumes full responsibility for laptop. In event that the laptop is lost, stolen, damaged or returned late; the following fines will be accrued. 

CHROME LAPTOP BORROWING 

1. Chromebooks may be checked out by anyone who has a valid library card in good standing and is 18 years or older. 
2. Only one Chromebook may be checked out at a time and only one per household may be checked out at the same time. 
3. Library technology items are not available for transit to other libraries or for interlibrary loan. 
4. Borrowers must agree to and sign the library’s terms of agreement. 
5. The devices must be checked out and returned to the circulation desk. 
6. Borrowers are responsible for the safe-keeping and return of these items to the library in good working order and borrower assumes liability for the equipment well it is in their care. 
    a. Borrower is responsible for damaged and / or missing pieces of loaned items. 
    b. Patron agrees to cover the cost of damage and / or replacement costs, as determined by the library and listed on the user agreement and on the box lid. 
7. The library does its best to provide clean, secure, and fully functional equipment, but is not responsible for charging the device or unforeseen hardware and / or software failure. 
    a. Library staff will make every effort to document any existing damage, however, if a borrower discovers any pre-existing damage to a library technology item that is checked out, the borrower should notify staff as soon as possible, but no later than 24 hours after checkout. 
    b. Failure to notify the library of existing damage within the first 24 hours limits the borrower’s ability to dispute charges for damaged devices or equipment. 
8. The lending period is 14 days. 
9. Library technology items may not be renewed. 
10. There is a 24-hour waiting period between checkouts to ensure everyone has equitable access to the devices.  
11. Returning library technology: 
    a. All library technology must be returned inside the library, at the circulation desk, and to a staff person. 
    b. Returning library technology to a book return – outdoor or inside the library—is prohibited. Library technology that is returned in a book return may be damaged and patrons will be charged for any damage resulting from the items being returned in the book return. 
    c. Returning library technology items in the book return will result in the suspension of a library user's use of library technology. 
12. Only one device may be checked out to a household at any given time; the 24-hour waiting period between checkouts applies to the entire household. 
13. Any library technology device that is checked out is not considered returned until all items associated with the device (USB cord; AC adapter, instructions, box, etc.) are returned to the library in good condition. 
    a. Upon return, library staff will verify that all components have been returned. 
    b. The library will not check a device in until all components have been returned. 
    c. All library technology should be returned in the original packaging as received at checkout 
    d. Tampering with the library technology, in any way, including but not limited to removing the SIM card, will result in a suspension of borrowing privileges. 
14. All library technology users are encouraged to use safe Internet practices and agree to refrain from online activity that violates federal, state, or local laws. 

FINES FOR LIBRARY TECHNOLOGY

1. Devices not returned within 7 days of the due date will be considered lost and the patron will be charged a replacement fee, as listed below, or the actual cost of replacement. 
      a. Chromebook replacement fee: $299 
     b. Laptop Computer: $999 
3. At the end of the loan period, the device will be remotely turned off and will no longer be usable. 
The library reserves the right to deny the use of library technology devices to any borrower who has lost, damaged, or returns equipment late. 

Borrowers agree to abide by the library’s policies and procedures. Borrower's must complete a User Agreement prior to each check out of any library technology. 

GUIDELINES 

- Only one laptop computer OR Chromebook may be checked out per household, at the same time. 
-Must be 18 years or older to check out any library technology. 
-Patron must agree to and sign the appropriate User Agreement(s). 
-Checkout is 14 days. 
-No renewals will be allowed. 
-There is a 24-hour waiting period between checkouts. 
-All library technology must be returned to a staff person at the circulation desk during open hours. 
-Do not return library technology in the book drop; doing so, may result in being charged damage to the device. 
- All library technology must be returned with all the original packing and will all accessories prior to being checked in. 
11. Library technology should be fully charged when returned. 
12. WI-FI hotspots may not be used for Texting/SMS messaging.