The purpose of the Laptop Lending service is to allow WCU students, faculty, and staff to access to the most commonly used software, the Internet and the Library’s online resources from anywhere within the library building. As a cooperative venture between Hunter Library and IT's Educational Technology, this service is intended to expand Hunter Lab by enabling individuals and small groups to work away from their own equipment. Laptops will come equipped with Microsoft Office software - including Word, Excel, Publisher, PowerPoint, and Access, four browsers - Internet Explorer, Firefox, Netscape, Opera, and a wireless network card.

Policies:

• 43 laptops are available for checkout to WCU students. 5 laptops, which were not purchased with student fee funds, are available for check out to WCU faculty and staff.

• Laptop computers may be borrowed from and returned to the Hunter Library Circulation Desk. Borrowers must present their WCU ID/Cat Card.

• Laptops are for use in the Library only. Faculty that need a laptop for outside presentations or other work may check computers out at the Hunter Library Media Desk.

• Patrons may borrow only one laptop at a time. This service is not intended to be used as a substitute for an electronic classroom supporting class meetings or to support metered or specialized software.

• Laptops may be borrowed for 3 hours. Laptops cannot be borrowed overnight. All laptops must be returned before the library closes.

• Laptops can be renewed once if no one else is waiting to use the equipment.

• Overdue fines are $5 per hour (or portion of an hour) after a 15 minute grace period. The maximum overdue fine is $75.

• Any laptop not returned before the library closes is considered lost or stolen and the borrower will be billed for full replacement cost. If the laptop is returned, the replacement cost will be refunded except for a $75 processing fee, which is equal to the maximum overdue fine.

• The borrower is responsible for the replacement cost of all equipment damaged, lost, or stolen.

• SECURITY WARNING: Do not leave the laptop (or other valuables) unattended, even for a few seconds. Theft of laptops and accessories can occur. You will be held responsible if the laptop you have checked out is stolen. In case of a fire alarm, please take the laptop back to the main circulation desk and leave it with a staff member there.  Note the number of the laptop (it's taped on the front) so you can retrieve the same one after the fire alarm is over.

• Hunter Library is not responsible for the loss of any data while using this equipment. All data saved on the laptop's hard disk will be erased when the computer is shut down or restarted. You must have your own storage media (CD, flash drive) or email your files to yourself.

• Library laptops are intended for university-related use, in accordance with WCU's Use Of Computers and Data Communications Policy.