Technology Item Checkout Policy & Procedure
TECHNOLOGY ITEM CHECKOUT POLICY & PROCEDURE
In the interest of providing our community with the various professional, educational, and recreational resources needed to participate in modern daily life, and doing our part to help bridge the growing Digital Divide, the Beaumont Library District offers a collection of various technology items to our expanding Library of Things.
Checkout Limits
- Eligible patrons must be eighteen (18) years of age or older and must have a library card in good standing.
- Only one item of each type of technology item may be checked out to any one card holder at a time.
- No renewals or holds will be accepted for technology items.
- When checked out, all technology items will be available tot he patron for a fourteen (14) day period.
- Patrons must wait twenty-four (24) hours after returning a technology item before checking out another technology item of the same type.
- Technology items must be handed back to a Technical Services staff member to be considered checked in. Technology items deposited in a book drop or returned via the sorting machine inside of the library will not be accepted. A Technical Services staff member will verify that lal components of any given item are present and undamaged before checking in the item(s).
- The Library retains the right to disable service to overdue devices at any time.
Checkout Procedure
Items will not be kept on publicly accessible shelves, but will instead be represented by placeholders representing each item. Technology checkouts can only be made by a Technical Services staff member. The patron will be asked to sign a waiver and liability form confirming that they are eligible to check out the item, acknowledging the financial penalties they will incur in the event the item is damaged or lost, and waiving the library’s responsibility for the improper usage of the device, including any illegal activity performed or damage caused while using the device and any additional charges incurred by improper use of the device. Once the waiver is signed, the item will be confirmed as being complete and undamaged by the staff member, and then handed over to the patron.
Return Procedure
When returning the item, patrons must physically hand the full device package with all components included to a Technical Services staff member, who will confirm all items are present and undamaged before anything is checked in. If any component is damaged or missing, the patron will be informed that the item will not be considered returned until the missing component is found or a replacement fee is paid.
At any time during the checkout period, if the patron encounters technical difficulty or malfunction with their item, they are welcome to either call or visit the library during normal working hours for assistance. The library provides no guarantee of any resolution to the technical issues encountered by the patron.
If a patron is found to be frequently violating Beaumont Library District policy, either by improper or illegal use of a borrowed device, the library reserves the right to revoke that patron’s technology borrowing privileges.
Replacement Costs
The contents of each technology item are as follows:
- Chromebooks
- One (1) Chromebook Device
- One (1) Charger, including plug and power brick
- One (1) Case
- Some kits may also contain a wireless mouse and headphones, though these are not included in all items.
- Hotspots
- One (1) Hotspot Device, including battery and SIM Card.
- One (1) Wall Outlet Charger
- One (1) Case
- Instructional Literature
- Portable Solar Panel Charger Kit
- One (1) Solar Panel Charger
- Two (2) Carabiners (Hooks intended to hang the charger if needed)
- One (1) Box
- Instructional Literature
Replacement Costs
The Beaumont Library District will offer no grace period on late items. The relevant replacement costs associated with technology items are as follows.
- Chromebooks
- Replacement
- Chromebook: $450
- Charger: $20
- Case: $20
- Instructional Literature: N/A
- Replacement
- Hotspots
- Replacement
- Hotspot: $100
- Charger: $10
- Case: $10
- Instructional Literature
- Replacement
- SunJack Foldable Solar Panel Charger Kit
- Replacement
- Solar Charger: $80
- Carabiner: $5
- Box: $5
- Instructional Literature: N/A
- Replacement
Waiver and Liability Form
The following are transcribed copies of the waivers and liability forms as they will be presented to the patron. Solar Panel Chargers will have a separate waiver from other technology items. The waiver and liability form will ask the patron to acknowledge the checkout limitations and conditions outlined above.
TECHNOLOGY CHECK-OUT WAIVER AND LIABILITY FORM
A “hotspot” consists of the mobile wireless hotspot device itself, as well as its charger and case. A “Chromebook” similarly consists of the device itself, as well as its charger and case. A full copy of the library’s lending policy for technology items is available on request.
In order to borrow a technology item, I, the borrower, understand and agree to the following terms and conditions:
· I am eighteen (18) years of age or older.
· I will return the borrowed technology item directly to a staff member. Technology items will not be checked in until a staff member has verified together with me that all items are present and undamaged.
· I will be charged for any damaged or lost items. Technology devices not returned on the day they are due will be considered lost with all relevant charges applied to the borrower’s account until the devices are returned. Damage costs may still apply. Overdue devices may have service disabled at any time.
· I must wait twenty-four (24) hours after checking in my device before I will be allowed to borrow another device of the same type.
· If checking out a hotspot, I understand hotspot Internet is dependent on cellular network coverage, and that use of hotspots outside of the continental United States is prohibited and may incur additional fees.
· I will not violate any municipal, county, state, or federal laws while using the device, and understand doing so may result in the revocation of borrowing privileges.
· I acknowledge that parents and/or guardians are solely responsible for the use of borrowed technology devices by minors.
· I am solely responsible for fees, damages, penalties, or charges incurred by improper or illegal use of borrowed technology.
· The Beaumont Library District is exempt from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations, or liabilities, directly or indirectly, relating to the use of the Library’s technology.
· In addition to these terms, I will abide by all other applicable Beaumont Library District policies and rules.
I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agreed to the above terms and conditions:
X________________________________________________Date:__________________
SOLAR PANEL CHECK-OUT WAIVER AND LIABILITY FORM
LIBRARY USE ONLY
A “solar panel charger” consists of the solar charger itself, its box, and two carabiners. A full copy of the library’s lending policy for technology items is available on request.
In order to borrow a technology item, I, the borrower, understand and agree to the following terms and conditions:
· I am eighteen (18) years of age or older.
· I will return the borrowed solar panel charger directly to a staff member. The item will not be checked in until a staff member has verified together with me that all items are present and undamaged.
· I will be charged for any damaged or lost items. Solar panel chargers not returned on the day they are due will be considered lost with all relevant charges applied to the borrower’s account until the devices are returned. Damage costs may still apply.
· I must wait twenty-four (24) hours after checking in my device before I will be allowed to borrow another device of the same type.
· I will not violate any municipal, county, state, or federal laws while using the device, and understand doing so may result in the revocation of borrowing privileges.
· I acknowledge that parents and/or guardians are solely responsible for the use of borrowed solar panel chargers by minors.
· I am solely responsible for fees, damages, penalties, or charges incurred by improper or illegal use of borrowed technology.
· The Beaumont Library District is exempt from any and all claims, losses, damages, obligations, or liabilities, directly or indirectly, relating to the use of the Library’s technology.
· In addition to these terms, I will abide by all other applicable Beaumont Library District policies and rules.
I acknowledge that I have read, understood, and agreed to the above terms and conditions:
X________________________________________________Date:__________________