Laptop Loan Program
| Eight laptop computers are available for loan in Black Hawk College, East Campus LRC. The laptops were provided, in part, through a grant awarded by the Illinois State Library (ISL), a Division of the Office of Secretary of State, using funds provided by the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS), under the federal Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). The laptops may be borrowed by students enrolled at Black Hawk College with library accounts in good standing for use for use in the library, lower level lounge or classrooms. The laptops connect to the College's wireless network and come equipped with standard software (including Microsoft Office). |
Availability
To check whether any laptops are available to borrow right now, do a TITLE browse in the Library Catalog for laptop (it’s the 3rd choice).
Library Laptop Loan Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
- Who can borrow a laptop?
- Where may I use the laptop?
- Where can I borrow a laptop?
- What is the loan period?
- What are the fines for late return of the laptop?
- Who is responsible for theft, loss, or damage of the laptop?
- Can I renew a laptop?
- Where do I return the laptop?
- Can personal software and documents be saved on the laptop?
- Can I access the Internet from the laptop?
- What comes with the laptop?
- What software and hardware is available on the laptop?
- Can I print from the laptop?
- Can I check if a laptop is available to borrow without coming to the Library?
- Can I book a laptop in advance?
- Are there power outlets available in the Library for using the laptop?
- Can I use the laptop on battery power?
- Why are laptops due back 30 minutes before the Circulation desk closes?
- What if I need help?
Who can borrow a laptop?
All currently registered Black Hawk College students may borrow laptops. The first time you borrow a laptop, you will be required to fill out a Laptop Loan Registration and Liability Form (available at the circulation desk), which will allow you to borrow laptops throughout the current semester. Laptops will not be loaned to borrowers with current blocked Library accounts (fines, delinquent or lost material, etc.). No individual may borrow a laptop with the intended purpose of allowing another individual the use of that laptop. You will need to bring your Driver’s License or State ID to borrow a laptop.
Where may I use the laptop?
Laptops are loaned for on-campus use only. (Area of use must be designed at the time of checkout.) Prairie Pointe Apartments are off-campus. Removal of a laptop from these areas will be treated as theft.
Where can I borrow a laptop?
Laptops may be borrowed from the Circulation Desk in the LRC. Users must abide by the BHC Computer Security and Responsible Use Administrative Guidelines.
What is the loan period?
The loan period for laptops is 3 hours and only 1 laptop can be checked out to a student at a time.
What are the fines for late return of the laptop?
A fine of $10 per hour (or part of an hour) will be assessed on all laptops returned late, to a maximum of $100. Failure to return the laptop by the library closing time will be considered loss by the Black Hawk College LRC and the borrower will be charged a replacement fee of $1000 for the laptop. The replacement cost for a lost carrying case is $50 and the replacement cost for a power cord, adapter, and mouse is $100 for a total of $1,150.
Who is responsible for theft, damage or loss of the laptop?
You are financially responsible for the laptop and accessories while signed out in your name, as you agreed to when you signed the Laptop Loan Registration and Liability Form. Please consult our Laptop Loan Policy for additional information.
Can I renew a laptop?
Laptops may be renewed, if there are additional ones available for other users at the time of renewal. You must bring the laptop in-person to the Circulation Desk to request renewal.
Where do I return the laptop?
The laptop must be returned in-person to the Circulation Desk. You will be asked to wait to allow staff to verify that all the pieces are returned before the laptop is discharged from your record. For this reason, laptops should not be placed in return bins available for other library materials. Laptops are due back 30 minutes before the Circulation Desk closes.
Can personal software and documents be saved on the laptop?
When the laptop is shut-down, all user installed software and files are erased. Please save your documents to a USB key or CD or email them to yourself. There is no way to recover your work once the laptop is shut down and restarted.
Can I access the Internet from the laptop?
The laptops are equipped with a wireless access card. The library, the lower level lounge and some classrooms have Internet access.
What comes with the laptop?
When a laptop is borrowed, it is loaned with a bag that contains basic instructions, the laptop policy, 2 piece power supply, mouse and mouse pad.
What software and hardware is available on the laptop?
Software:
- Windows XP
- Internet Explorer
- Adobe Reader QuickTime
- RealPlayer Basic
- Windows Media Player
- Microsoft Office 2003 (Access, Excel, FrontPage, PowerPoint, Publisher, and Word)
Hardware:
- DVD/CD-RW
- Wireless network card
Can I print from the laptop?
No
Can I check if a laptop is available to borrow without coming to the Library?
To check whether any laptops are presently available for borrowing, do a TITLE browse in the Library Catalog for the term: laptop (it’s the 3rd choice).
Can I book a laptop in advance?
Advance bookings/holds for laptops will not be accepted.
Are there power outlets available in the Library for using the laptop?
Yes there are electrical outlets in the library and lower level lounge. All study carrels have power strips. Do not unplug library equipment to plug in the laptop.
Can I use the laptop on battery power?
Yes but check the battery level by clicking on the battery icon (bottom right of the screen) which indicates the remaining battery life. If the battery is low there is a 2 piece power supply provided in the laptop bag.
Why are laptops due back 30 minutes before the Circulation Desk closes?
We request that laptops be returned 30 minutes before the Desk closes so that laptops can be checked in and secured before the library closes.
What if I need help?
We expect you to be familiar with the hardware and software. Some handouts are available and the LRC offers Quick Starts which are 1-hour introductory sessions for Microsoft Word and PowerPoint. Schedules are available at the LRC Circulation Desk. Library staff may provide assistance with issues related to library resources. If the laptop is not working correctly, please return it to the LRC circulation desk and report the problem(s) so we can troubleshoot the issue(s).
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