[Web4lib] Laptop checkout security

[Dobbs, Aaron]

Hi Karen,

We retain the student ID while the laptop is out -- which makes printing
kinda tricky as the student must swipe their card to release any print
jobs.  However, Pharos keeps the print jobs for several hours and we
have had, I think, only one complaint (but it was a hesitant complaint
as we are currently not charging for printing and the complainer didn't
want to be the cause for resumption of charging) :)

We keep the Student ID on the charging shelf of the loaned laptop while
it is out.  To my knowledge we have had no "misappropriated" laptops in
the 3 or 4 year history of the program.

-Aaron
:-)'

Aaron W. Dobbs
Systems Librarian
Shippensburg University 
voice: 717.477.1018
fax: 717.477.1389
AIM: AaronLibrarian
Y!M: AaronTheLibrarian

Miranda: "You have your backup backing up your backups"
Mike: "Recursives! Spoiled again!"

-----Original Message-----
From: web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org
[mailto:web4lib-bounces at webjunction.org] On Behalf Of K.G. Schneider
Sent: Wednesday, February 07, 2007 8:34 PM
To: publib at webjunction.org; web4lib at webjunction.org
Subject: [Web4lib] Laptop checkout security

For those of you with laptop checkout programs, what security systems
are you using to help minimize theft? We are big enough and busy enough
that relying on good faith or vigilant employees is not adequate. 

Some of the answers I've come up with online:

... Computrace (makes sense)
... Requiring ID (well, duh)
... Requiring second ID (hmmm...)
... Taking ID (not sure we can do this)
... Steep fines for late returns (seem reasonable) ... Labeling the
laptops (can't hurt) ... Stockades (deterrence through public
humiliation)

O.k., maybe I made up the part about stockades. The idea of labeling the
laptops makes me grin a little... huge lettering that said HI, I'M FROM
THE LIBRARY could deter at least a spontaneous thief. Maybe add
stick-ons with fluffy kittens or featuring Barry Manilow. 

I'm not worried about what's ON the laptop, in terms of tampering-we
would re-ghost machines on return. (Right, I don't need to be worried?)
Peripherals would be checked out separately (I think...). In terms of
wear and tear, we'd ssume it would be pretty heavy, and per the online
guidance, buy extra batteries and maybe some extra power cords. 

I'd assume some attrition; it's a checkout program, we want the
equipment to be used, stuff happens. (As it sayeth in the Good Book,
laptops go and come, but earth abides.) I just would like to see most if
not all of the laptops return after the first day. ;-)

Thanks in advance,

Karen G. Schneider
Acting Associate Director of Libraries for Technology & Research Florida
State University
Email/AIM: kschneider at mailer.fsu.edu
Blog: http://quodvide.wordpress.com
Phone: 850-644-5214
Cell: 850-590-3370



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