[OPLINTECH] Lo-Jack for Laptops

[Mann, James H.]

Eric
GCPL does not use any security device on the laptops.
Several years ago we started with a bag, a Kensington cable, etc. but found that it was more efficient for both staff and patron to just hand them the laptop, power supply and mouse.
Remember that a lot of these early laptop circulation procedures were based on how laptops were circulated in academic libraries and on campuses.
To be clear we "circulate" the laptops on a 2-hour loan rule with 15-minute overdue fees and we require patrons to sign a laptop agreement which states the cost of the laptop, power supply and the fine structure. We also require minors to have their parents sign the laptop agreement in front of staff.
We do not circulate laptops to "guests" so our information on a patron is as good as it is in the circ system.
After more than 4 years of circulating laptops we have never had one stolen (although every once in awhile we'll get a scare when Unique flags a patron who has been sent to collection for a $1,500 balance).
What we do see is minor damage to keyboards and power supplies which while they can add up are just the cost of doing business.
IMHO a good strategy is to purchase good off lease or grey box laptops with a nice warranty for around $300, factor in one major repair like to the power supply jack and maybe a minor repair to swap a keyboard and be prepared to decommission them after 2 years. This is what we circulate:
http://www.systime.com/Dell_Latitude_D600_1_6_GHz_Notebook_Refurbished_p/n-del-d600-16cmb512wf40xpp.htm
HTH

Jim Mann
Technology Coordinator
Greene County Public Library
76 E. Market St.
Xenia Ohio 45385
(937)352-4000 x1210
mailto: jmann at gcpl.lib.oh.us<mailto:jmann at gcpl.lib.oh.us>
"If everything seems under control, you're just not going fast enough." - Mario Andretti.

From: oplintech-bounces at oplin.org [mailto:oplintech-bounces at oplin.org] On Behalf Of Eric Maynard
Sent: Tuesday, December 15, 2009 10:08 AM
To: Oplintech at Oplin.Org
Subject: [OPLINTECH] Lo-Jack for Laptops

Curious if anyone has any experience with institutions (libraries especially) that have used any kind of lo-jack software to act as deterrents to the theft of loanable laptops?

Trying to weigh in all the pros and cons of NOT securing the laptops we intend to circulate in house versus just relying on photo IDs as a "deposit" of sorts.  Thoughts anyone?

thanks,

Eric Maynard
Head of Information Technology,
Holmes County District Public Library
Millersburg, OH  44654
Email [emaynard at holmeslib.org<mailto:emaynard at holmeslib.org>]
Phone [330.674.5972 x.224]
Fax   [330.674.1938]

"Failure is only the opportunity to begin again more intelligently"

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