Library Policies

This program provides students with a laptop computer for short periods of time if their own equipment is unavailable. The Jacksonville University technology requirement is applicable to laptop borrowers.

Jacksonville University students and graduate students, faculty and faculty emeritus, administrators, and staff (Jacksonville University Employees) may check out laptop computers from the Swisher Library. Laptop loan is a privilege that will be revoked if the service is abused or if borrower has an unresolved library hold for a lost laptop on their JU account.

• Laptops (and accompanying power adapter/charger) are loaned at the Swisher Library circulation desk.
• Laptop due dates are set for 30 days from the date checked out or the end of the term in which it was checked out, whichever is sooner.
• All laptops are due back to Swisher Library by the end of each term for inventory and updating and may not be checked out again until the first day of classes of the following term.
• Fall, Spring, and Summer Term dates are posted on JU's academic calendar (Laptops are not loaned during Winter Term.)

• Laptops are not eligible for renewal. Borrowers may re-check out a laptop for another loan period if they return it to the circulation desk as Swisher Library as long as there is no waiting list (when other users have placed a hold for a laptop).
• If there is a waiting list the borrower must return the laptop and may place a hold to be added to the waiting list. An automatic email will be sent to the borrower as soon as a laptop is available to them and will be held for 1 business day.

Laptops are checked out at the Swisher Library Circulation Desk. The 3-step process takes about 10 minutes.

1. The Borrower's Agreement form is completed by library staff and borrower online.
2. Check-out the laptop and an adapter/charger/cord by library assistant or librarian.
3. Initial Log In, library staff facilitate borrowers' initial log-in by ethernet connection.

Laptop Technical Assistance
The Digital Literacy Lab can assist with technology questions during its regular hours of operation.

Software
Borrowers should consult with the Digital Literacy Lab or the I.T. department about software required for courses, software issues, or software questions of any kind. Downloading, installing, or updating programs on laptops requires administrative permissions of the I.T. Department.

• Laptops must be returned to the Swisher Library Circulation Desk, for check-in by a library staff member, during posted hours of operation.
• The borrower to whom the equipment is checked out is responsible for its return.

• Borrowers can reserve laptops online by placing a hold in the Swisher Library's online catalog (must be logged in to library account to place a hold). 
• Pickup Deadline - Holds are cancelled if not picked in 1 business day within the Swisher Library's hours of operation.
• Identification - Borrower must provide their JU ID number at check-out when picking up reserved laptop.

• The laptop late fine is $5.00 per day overdue, up to $25.00; late fines are recorded on the borrower’s library record and may result in borrowing restrictions until resolved.
• Lost Laptop Fee - laptops that are not returned are considered lost and library fines and fees policy is applied. For lost laptops, a borrower will be charged for the cost of the laptop and power adapter/charger in the amount of $750.00 until the equipment is returned to the Swisher Library or the billed replacement cost is paid. A laptop is considered lost on the last day of finals week of the current term or 30 days past due (whichever comes first).
• Lost Power Adapter - If the laptop is returned without a power adapter/charger/cord, a late fee of $5.00 per day (up to $25.00) will be charged to the borrower for the missing adapter. If the adapter is not returned, the borrower will be charged a lost fee of $75.00 until the equipment is returned to the Swisher Library or the billed replacement cost is paid.

• Lost laptops are recorded on the borrower’s library record and, until the equipment is returned or paid for, delinquent borrowers are subject to library borrowing restrictions as well as holds on course JU registration and student records holds.
• Lost item replacement costs are billed to borrower’s Jacksonville University account and subject to Jacksonville University Financial Services Payment policy.
• The library does not collect fines or fees. Payments must be made through the Financial Services Department.

All saved work should be saved to user’s external or cloud drive.