A limited number of loaner laptops are available to current Virginia Western Community College students through Brown Library. These laptops are intended for students who have financial need and limited access to a computer when not on campus. Loan periods will be for an entire semester during which the student must maintain enrollment for continued eligibility. Each semester, the library will accept applications from students and will determine eligibility based on financial need and access to a home computer. This page will be updated with the current loaner laptop application and process when the application window opens for each semester. Please read the information below and contact us (540-857-6941 or lcirculation@virginiawestern.edu) if you have additional questions.
Loaner Laptop User Guidelines (PDF) | Loaner Laptop Policy (PDF)
Who can borrow loaner laptops?
Currently enrolled students with completed and accepted loaner laptop applications may borrow loaner laptops from Brown Library. Enrollment status is checked multiple times per semester. If a student is no longer enrolled, their loaner laptop will be recalled immediately. Faculty, staff, and community patrons may not borrow laptops.
How do I check out a loaner laptop?
For semester-long laptops, you will need to complete a loaner laptop application each semester and the library will send a notification to your student email address (@email.vccs.edu) if you are eligible to check out a computer. Students with accepted applications will have 3 business days to check out the laptop from the Circulation Desk on the 2nd floor (top floor) of Brown Library. Students are required to read and sign a borrowing contract as well as present a valid photo ID.
What kind of laptop will I receive?
All laptops are standard PC laptops with Microsoft Office, Respondus LockDown, and other basic software required for most Virginia Western coursework. The laptop will also have a web cam. We do not have any specialty laptops that meet the needs of courses such as Engineering or Graphic Design.
How long can I keep the loaner laptop?
Laptops are loaned for the duration of one (1) academic semester. The due date is the last day of exams for the semester in which the loan occurs. If a borrower drops or withdraws from all their classes during the loan period, they must return the loaner laptop immediately.
How much does it cost to borrow a loaner laptop?
There is no up-front cost to borrow a loaner laptop. Costs are only incurred in the event of damage, loss, or failure to return. Borrowers are responsible for returning laptops on time and in good, working condition.
What happens if the laptop becomes damaged or stops working?
It is important to notify the Library and/or VWCC Help Desk of damage or issues as soon as they are found. Students may not attempt to repair loaner laptops on their own. All repairs should be initiated by Brown Library or the Virginia Western Help Desk. In some cases, the laptop can be repaired in a timely manner and returned to circulation without any penalty to the student. In cases of intentional damage or defacement, repair costs may be charged to the student. Alternate laptops may be available for the duration of the repair but are not guaranteed.
How do I return a laptop?
Laptops must be returned in person to the Circulation Desk on the Library’s top floor. Alternate arrangements may be possible when necessary. Please contact the Library to arrange for an alternate return plan.
Can I use the same laptop the whole time I’m enrolled at VWCC?
No. Each semester, the laptops are all wiped and re-imaged. Students are responsible for returning laptops on time so that this process can be completed prior to the next semester. Students are responsible for storing their files to a personal USB storage device or cloud storage. The Library nor Virginia Western IT are responsible for lost files or data on loaner laptops at any time.
Can I personalize the loaner laptop?
Borrowers may not add or remove barcodes, labels, stickers, etc. from loaner laptops. Doing so will be considered defacement and may result in repair or replacement charges or loss of future borrowing privileges. These laptops are property of Virginia Western Community College, and therefore property of the Commonwealth of Virginia, and should not be altered in any way.
What if I return a laptop late?
Loaner laptops are loaned for the duration of one academic semester only. Students are expected to return laptops on or before the last day of exams for the semester in which the loan occurred. A laptop is considered overdue when not returned within 24 hours of the stated due date. A laptop is considered long overdue when not returned within 5 business days of the stated due date and will automatically be declared lost at the time of the final overdue notice sent 2 weeks past the due date.
If a student returns a laptop more than 5 business days late (long overdue) twice, they will forfeit the privilege of borrowing a loaner laptop from Brown Library in future semesters.
What if I don’t return a laptop?
Laptops are deemed lost at the time of the final overdue notice sent 2 weeks past the due date. At that time, a Negative Service Indicator (aka “hold” or “block”) is placed on the student’s SIS account. Ten days later, the student’s account is turned over to the Business Office for collections. The student will be responsible for the replacement cost of the equipment and any fees accrued throughout the collections process, which could be more than $700. Students who have failed to return a laptop forfeit future laptop borrowing privileges.
Short-term Laptops Available to Checkout
The library has a small number of short-term loaner laptops available for currently enrolled Virginia Western Community College students to borrow for two (2) weeks at a time during the academic semester. Short-term loaner laptops are available first come, first served, and may not be reserved or renewed. Bring a valid photo ID to the Circulation Desk on the 2nd floor of Brown Library to checkout a short-term loaner laptop.
Hours
Monday - Thursday: 8:00 AM - 8:00 PM
Friday: 8:00 AM - 5:00 PM
Saturday: 9:00 AM - 1:00 PM
Sunday: Closed
Tests will not be given out in the Testing Center within 30 min of closing.
The library is closed whenever the college is closed for holidays or inclement weather.
Contact Us
library@virginiawestern.edu
Brown Library – Top Floor
540-857-7303
3095 Colonial Ave., SW
Roanoke, VA 24015