Many students were shocked to discover that Greenwood Library is no longer allowing Apple Mac Books to be loaned from the library premises. The standard loan period for the laptops prior to this semester was 72 hours. Now, all laptops, the seven Dell and ten Macintosh units, may only be loaned out from the Multimedia Lab for a period of three hours, proving useless for some students who need them for much longer. Dean of the Library Wendell Barbour said the library has had three incidents of "misuse" after the Mac Books were loaned out to students. Barbour was unable to provide names or whether the students were using the equipment for class projects or not. He did however briefly touch on the multiple instances that led to the new restrictions.
The first instance involved a student who said he had misplaced the laptop. "Once we told the student he had to pay for it, he kept it out for several months," said Barbour. According to Barbour, the student was informed he would not able to enroll in classes for the next semester or have transcripts forwarded to other colleges if he did not pay the replacement fee. However, after numerous communication efforts by the library and other unnamed officials, the equipment was returned to the lab. "This is state property," noted Barbour. He said he found it suspicious that the student took so long to find the laptop after having it out on loan for such a long period of time.
In another of the three instances, Barbour said a student could not pay the replacement fee for a laptop that had went missing from the student's possession. The student reported to the library that the laptop had been stolen from his room. According to Barbour, "There was some intervention and someone else took the tab."
The library has also had problems with students using the laptops in the facility itself. Barbour said that a Mac Book was found in a library study area left unattended. He said more than likely someone just left without it. Barbour said the risks of loaning the laptops out were becoming too costly. "We just don't have the kind of money to replace these things. They cost about $3,500 a piece," stated Barbour.
Senior Jillian Beuschel is in a Longwood broadcast production class and she often uses the Mac Books to edit her work. She uses non-linear video editing software Final Cut Express installed on the Mac Books. The program is a popular item among students interested in the field of video production. "These projects take six to seven hours to edit and complete and another hour or so just to upload on YouTube," said Beuschel. "It was really helpful to take them home. Now that we can only use them in the library, it's a pain. It's an inconvenience for all of us."
One of the main goals in making all university-loaned laptops an in-library privilege only is for usage purposes according to Barbour. "If they are checked out in the library, they get more use. If they are taken out, they are not constantly being used," Barbour said. "The basic reason is because I want them to be circulated." He said that prior to this restriction, there was a long waiting line for students who wanted to check out Mac Books. Barbour explained that it seemed like students knew who had the laptops and when they would bring them back so those waiting could be first in line to check out the units. He also stated there is a waiting period between transactions to clear the laptops of data.
"Every time I've checked them out, I've never had to wait before. I don't really know if circulation can be seen as an issue," said Beuschel. She continued to say that the new restrictions would greatly hinder her work progress. "It was justifiable to have them for three days, not three hours."
"You have to understand. They're still available. They're just available in the library," said Barbour. He was quick to point out that the restriction may be an advantage to students. He said, "If students have problems, we have people here at the library to help them out."
Junior Kevin Rich, Beuschel's in-class partner, said the situation was definitely frustrating for him as well. "This will hurt us in the long run," he said. "The library's grades are going to hurt our grades and our portfolios." Rich said he was not aware of any Communication Studies students misusing the Mac Books, nor did he foresee such a thing happening. "We are more responsible with all that equipment. When I have the camera out with me, I am very careful," he said.
Beuschel noted that neither her nor any faculty member that she was aware of received prior notice of the library's decision. "They should have forewarned us. Now, I have to revolve around the library and their hours."
Sophomore Avrielle "Avy" Suleiman said she was informed of the change from a friend who is a Mass Media major. "It is going to be more difficult to get things done in one setting anymore," she said. "It's going to be a big hassle."
Barbour said he was unaware if the Help Desk has any plans to purchase any Final Cut Express software like they do for the Microsoft Office package to resell to students for personal use at a lower price. "It's my understanding that students are required to purchase laptops. I'm not sure why this is such a problem," he said.
Beuschel said the library should look into allowing only students who need the laptops for class purposes to check them out of the library or have them kept in the classroom. "Maybe set aside ten or so for our class. That would help. We are using these strictly for broadcasting purposes," she said. "I know the software is expensive. It would be unreasonable to purchase this software for one or two classes."
"I think class use only would be an alternative. It would be easier to keep track of them," said Rich. "Three hours of use, though? That's ridiculous."
"People who have projects to finish and their majors depend on it should be the only ones able to use these laptops," said Suleiman.
Library Multimedia A/V Specialist Chap Johnson would not comment on the issue. No one else at the library was available for comment. Barbour invited any students who may have questions or concerns to contact him personally.