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Date:         Fri, 28 Aug 1992 09:02:00 EST
              <CIRCPLUS@IDBSU.BITNET>
From:         01JALIVINGST@BSUVAX1.BITNET
Subject:      Re: CIRCULATION OF COMPUTERS

 You asked about the circulation of computers.  At Ball State
University we do circulate Sharp Portable Computers and Zenith Laptops.


My department is being considered as the potential site from which
portable computers will be circulated to faculty and to students.  I
would appreciate any tips or suggestions which might be provided to
help me get this process in place.  Up to this point, we have not
circulated equipment outside the building, so this will be a new
experience for us.  Some specific questions I have are:
1.  How do you label this equipment for ownership and circulation?
        *We engrave each computer and barcode each computer.

2.  What do you do with detachable parts/components?  How do you track
them?
        *Each accessary has been given its own barcode and unlinked item
 record on the NOTIS circulation system.

3.  How do you handle the virus issues?  Do you do a virus check upon
every return checkin of machine?
        *None of the computers have hard drives.  So, there is no
problem with virus issues.

4.  How do you package and circulate the accompanying technical manuals?
And, how do you make sure that every patron leaving the building with the
computer has the necessary technical manuals, etc?  Our circulation desk
is staffed by some 15 students and while some of them will think about
what it is they are giving a patron, others will give the patron exactly
what they ask for and if they only ask for a computer, that's what they get.
        *Each manual is barcoded.  The patron is asked what manuals are needed
and then charge those manuals to the patron.

5.  If software packages are licensed for a machine, how do you handle tht
circulation?
        *We have DOS for each machine.  We have licensed shareware available
and we have commercial software that circulates as part of the AV collection.

6.  Who verifies the integrity of the software after each checkout, especially
if the software program is resident on the hard drive?
        *Again, we don't have hard drives.  We rely on the patron to tell
us that there is a problem with software that has circulated from the AV
collection.

7.  What is the length of the circulation periods for computers?  What
are your fines?
        *The Sharp Portables circulate for 3 days to students and faculty/staff
while the Zenith Laptops circulate to faculty/staff only for 7 days.  We charge
Reserve fines: 50 cents for the first hour overdue, 25 cents for each hour
 after that up to a maximum charge of $23.50.  Once the max has been reached,
the patron is charged for the replacement of the computer.

8.  How do you assess cost of damage to machine?
        *We have a code for damaged items that our Bursar's Office recognizes
and assesses the patron through normal billing procedures.

9.  What other obvious points have I missed in the list of questions above?
        *We have a technician available to assist and instruct  patrons in the
use of the materials and he also checks each computer as it comes in and before
it goes out to be sure that the computer is in working order and that all parts
   are
included.  We have been circulating the Sharp Portables for about 6 years and
the Zeniths have been circulating since 1990.  We circulate each computer in
a carrying case that protects against weather and bumps.  We haven't had any
major problems except one.  That's when a husband and wife team conspired to
keep a Zenith until they graduated.  They are no longer at this University.



Julie A. Livingston
Ball State University
Educational Resources
Ref & Circ Librarian
317/285-5356
IN%"01JALIVINGST@LE0.BSUVC.BSU.EDU"
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