Tech Commons Borrowing Policies

General Loan Policies

• Biola students, faculty, and staff may borrow select equipment at Tech Commons with a valid Biola ID card.
• Events must be listed on 25live.biola.edu before equipment loans will be approved. (If you have not used 25live.biola.edu before, please follow the documentation provided by Event Services at https://www.biola.edu/event-services/25live)
• Events must be listed on 25live.biola.edu at least 48 hrs before pickup.
  
• Tech Commons equipment is for on-campus use.
• Loans for personal use are not allowed (examples include weddings or home events).
• Borrowers should be aware of the value and operation of equipment before they borrow it. Borrowers will be responsible for the replacement cost of broken, stolen, or lost equipment.
• Equipment must be returned to Tech Commons and checked in by a staff member during open hours. No other service desk at the library will receive borrowed equipment, and you cannot leave the equipment at any location without checking it in.
• Tech Commons may revoke checkout privileges due to misuse, damage, loss, or for other reasons at the discretion of Tech Commons management.
• Borrowers with account holds due to fines or overdue items need to pay the fine to release the hold on their account.

Terms of Equipment Loan

• Borrowers can check out equipment for up to 3 days.
• Borrowers can check out up to 3 kits and 4 supplemental items at one time.
• Borrowers may renew equipment in hand if another borrower has not reserved it.
• Data storage - borrowers must backup and remove data from audio and video recorders before returning them to Tech Commons. Tech Commons staff will not take responsibility for data left on devices when returned.
• Tech Commons will enforce late fees (payable at the Library Reference Desk) for equipment checked in after the due date. Borrowers can petition for a fee waiver or reduction by emailing it.helpdesk@biola.edu.
• Borrowers may not give equipment to others while signed out to him/her.

Equipment Reservations

• Biola students, staff, and faculty may reserve equipment by calling (562) 903-4740, or emailing it.helpdesk@biola.edu (reservations by voice mail are not accepted).
• Tech Commons fills reservations in the order they are received.
• Borrowers can pick up reserved equipment early if available.
• Please note that the reservation request must be approved by a Tech Commons staff member and must be made at least 48 hours in advance of the date that the equipment is needed. You will receive an email when your request has been processed. Requests submitted less than 48 hours in advance may be denied depending on current demands on the department, or availability of equipment.

Equipment Pickup and Return

• Equipment should be picked up after the start of the reservation period but before closing. If the reserved equipment is not picked up by the end of the day, Tech Commons will cancel the reservation. If you want to pick up the equipment earlier than the start of the reservation period, please call to see if it is available.
• If you decide not to pick up your reserved equipment for any reason, please call to cancel the reservation so that others can borrow the equipment.
• Tech Commons will strive to honor reservations. If another borrower does not return your reserved equipment in time for you to pick it up, we will do our best to find alternative equipment or to notify you when the equipment is available.
• Please allow plenty of time (10-15 minutes) for the check-out and check-in of equipment kits as we strive to ensure accuracy.
• Equipment must be returned directly to a staff member at the Tech Commons office during open hours or it will be subject to a late fee. Equipment cannot be dropped off at the Circulation Desk or in the book drop.
• If you believe Tech Commons should charge your late fees to a Biola departmental account instead of you personally, please ask your departmental representative with signing authority to email it.helpdesk@biola.edu.
• The borrower is responsible to inspect the equipment for damage and/or missing items at the time of check-out and to report any missing/damaged equipment upon check-in.

Lost or Damaged Equipment

• For equipment that is lost, stolen, or damaged the borrower will be responsible for paying for repair or replacement.
• For damaged equipment that is repairable, the borrower will be responsible for paying for the repair up to the value of the deductible.

Borrowers should pay for lost or damaged equipment at the Tech Commons desk in the Library. If you believe Tech Commons should charge a Biola departmental account instead of your personal library account, please ask your departmental representative with signing authority to email it.helpdesk@biola.edu.

Additional Borrowing Guidelines

• Tech Commons lends equipment free of charge but does not deliver, set-up, or clean-up for events. Borrowers desiring high-end equipment and/or the assistance of a trained technician should contact Event Services.
• Outdoor events requiring amplified sound must comply with Biola University’s outdoor event policy. Contact Campus Safety or Events Services for more information.

Classrooms equipped with permanently installed media equipment are maintained by Tech Support. Questions concerning location and assistance of permanently installed media equipment should be directed to it.helpdesk@biola.edu, or extension 4740.