The Chromebooks are configured for use on EPL’s domain, and are intended only for in-branch borrowing. Customers may borrow a Chromebook for the entire day. The device is due back at closing and may not be renewed. Chromebooks may not be reserved in advance through staff-mediated holds. Otherwise, they could be on the holds shelf for up to 7 days.
The Chromebooks have a loan period in Workflows that ends 9pm daily. The replacement cost of these items is $333.68 or $31.00 if the charger and mouse are not returned. The title in Workflows for the items is “Chromebook – IN BRANCH USE ONLY” (title control # a1207220).
The Chromebooks will be kept in a locked cupboard when not in use.
Checkout
Customers are required to have a library card and photo ID to borrow a Chromebook, and must use their own library card to checkout a Chromebook. As we now have the ability to disable Chromebooks, we no longer need to keep their photo ID at the customer service desk. Access EPL cardholders (ADU1FR) are not eligible to borrow Chromebooks. If a customer does not have a library card, is not resident in Edmonton, and is not eligible for a reciprocal or ME Libraries account, the customer will not be eligible to borrow a Chromebook. Staff will issue a temporary pass for Library Online or an Access EPL card and the customer may use the public internet stations in branch.
As EPL does not prevent users from accessing public internet stations if they owe more than $10, staff may override a blocked card and check a Chromebook out to a user if they are delinquent. Collections customers will not be eligible to borrow Chromebooks.
Checkouts of the Chromebooks will be staff-mediated at all times. Checkouts of the devices will occur at staff stations, rather than at self-checkout stations, as staff will use the item barcode to check items out. Though there is an RFID tag on the luggage tag with the barcode, this is not to be used when checking the items out, as the security on the tag is to remain set so the gates will ring if the tag moves through them.
Checkout procedures
- Verify that the Chromebook, charger, and mouse are in the laptop bag.
- Obtain the photo ID and library card from the customer. Valid photo ID: Alberta ID, Alberta Drivers License, Passport, Student ID, and Certificate of Indian Status card (photo ID no longer needs to be held at the customer service desk until the Chromebook is returned).
- Verify that the photo ID name matches the name on the library account.
- Use the item’s barcode to check the item out to the customer.
- Ensure the customer is aware that the item is for in-branch use only, is due back at the end of the day, that they will be billed for the replacement cost of the item if it is not returned at the end of the day and that the incident will be reported to the Police. You may use this script with a friendly (not threatening tone): “Please be aware that if this Chromebook isn’t returned to us by the end of the day, we will be reporting it to the Police. We want to make sure there we have enough for all our customers to use, so please make sure it gets back to us.”
Check-in
Chromebooks are to be discharged when returned to the desk.
Check-in procedures
- Remove the Chromebook from the laptop bag and confirm that it is undamaged. Ensure that the charger and mouse are included in the bag.
- Ensure the customer logged out of the Chromebook; restart the Chromebook if not.
- Discharge the Chromebook using the barcode on the luggage tag.
- If necessary, charge the Chromebook in the designated area.
Lost/stolen items
Contact IT immediately if a Chromebook is noticed as having left the branch. IT will disable the Chromebook from further use, which will hopefully result in the return of the device. Chromebooks are automatically billed at midnight as assumed lost if they are not returned at the end of the day. If a staff member notices that a Chromebook has not been returned, please attempt to contact the customer the next day with the information on file. If contact is unsuccessful, a member of the branch’s leadership team needs to report this incident by completing a police report for Theft Under $5000 at the nearest Edmonton Police Station or by calling the non-emergency line at (780) 423-4567.
Damaged Items
If a customer returns a damaged chromebook bill the user according to the Billing a User section of the manual and remove the checkout from the customer's account. Send the damaged Chromebook to ITS.