How can I reserve equipment from Media Services?
Be sure that you hear from someone via telephone, email, automatically-generated confirmation email, or in person, before you assume that the equipment is available.
What do I need to borrow Media Services equipment?
You need a valid/current Albright College ID card with a readable barcode on the back. This is the only acceptable identification.
If you are a student picking up a laptop or LCD projector under a faculty or staff member's name, you need to bring the faculty or staff member's ID card.
How do I pick up equipment from Media Services?
During regular Media Services hours, pick up your equipment at the office. If you have made arrangements to pick up equipment outside of normal hours, go to the Circulation Desk. Please note that you must have made prior arrangements if you need to pick up the equipment when the office is closed. Neither the Circulation Desk nor Reference Desk staff members have access to equipment other than that which has been authorized for pick-up.
Return all items if possible during regular business hours to the Media Services Office. If you do return your equipment outside of regular service hours, or when the staff person is out on call and the office is temporarily closed, you may return equipment to the Circulation Desk.
Do you drop off or pick up equipment if I ask for it? This would be handy when I use technology in my class.
Although we are a little understaffed to do everything we want, the library will drop off, set-up and pick up library supplied laptops and AV equipment under the following conditions:
- All items must be used for classroom support (in a classroom) or in a library space. [Facilities still handles all events and non-classroom set-up, including technology.]
- Deliveries and pick-ups must be requested from Media Services at least two (2) business days in advance to ensure staff availability. Delivery requests received without sufficient notice may be refused. You will receive an email or telephone service confirmation.
- We can only deliver or pick up during regularly scheduled Media Services hours. You are responsible for obtaining or returning equipment if the times of usage exceeds Media Center staff availability.
- To ensure the security of our equipment, you must stay in the room until a Media Services staff person arrives to deliver or pick up equipment. Please do not leave the room unattended after the equipment has been set up or before someone has taken it back to the library.
Questions and Troubleshooting
Are there resources online that can help me right now?
You may be interested in our:
What types of equipment do you loan ?
The list of equipment better explains what we have, but a simple list includes: amplifiers, camcorders, cassette players, CD players, computer projectors, clickers, computer speakers, digital cameras, DVD players, film projectors, flash drives, laptops, laser pointers, overhead projectors, record player, screens, tripods, TVs, VCRs, digital voice recorders and microphones, in addition to the cables, remotes, and headphones that accompany these pieces of equipment.
What do I do if I break or run into problems with a piece of equipment that I borrowed?
If you have any problems with the equipment you borrowed, contact us and we will do our best to fix it or provide a substitute. Remember that you are responsible for returning all materials in the same condition as they were checked out (except for low battery power and normal wear and tear). Any damages or, if necessary, replacement costs are the responsibility of the borrower.
What do I do if a piece of classroom equipment breaks or malfunctions?
If you have any problems with the equipment in the classroom (LCD and overhead projectors, LCD TVs, classrooms TVs, DVD/VHS players), call 610-921-7207 and we will do our best to fix it or provide a substitute in a timely manner. Please be sure to mention what room you' are in, describe the problem, and tell us if you want assistance immediately or after your class is finished.
The equipment is due back tonight, and I still have work to do. Can I renew it online or over the phone?
Since the amount of equipment is limited and the usage can be high, at this point there is no renewal process for equipment. You may ask about borrowing the equipment again when you return it to Media Services.
The Backstory
Is this a new service? Couldn't I always go to the library and get help?
Yes, you could, but we are trying to make the process less confusing. You should go to or contact the Media Services Office for the following services:
- To reserve or borrow any library-owned equipment (see attached list).
- To obtain assistance in using or maintaining any overhead projector, computer projection screen, LCD projector, or sound system/amplifier in any college classroom.
- To ensure that you borrow everything you need to successfully complete your project or assignment.
- To learn how to connect and better use the equipment you borrow.
I used to get help from the IT department or directly from other library staff members. When did this change?
In the past, the library maintained several service points for AV support, and some patrons had to "ping-pong" between them to get support. The IT Department also had several pieces of equipment that they loaned. There are being donated to the library so there is a centralized service point.
In 2005, the library re-aligned its staff and hired Elizabeth Fields as a full-time staff member to manage AV support and also a group of student workers known as Media Services Assistants.
Do you provide any new services with this new service alignment?
The staff for Media Services now handles all requests for teaching and training. Contact us if you'd like to do any of the following:
- Learn how to use the equipment in a classroom where you teach.
- Learn how to use the equipment that Media Services loans.
- Learn what to do with the pictures you took, the footage you shot, or the sound you recorded.
- Learn how to use software, such as the Microsoft Office suite or Windows Movie Maker.
- Fix a problem with your personal or college computer, or learn to use it with library or classroom equipment.
- Introduce technology to your class, or have someone explain what equipment is available for student use.
- Get a tour or demonstration of the library's technological services, including document scanning and assistive technology.
The library's Media Classroom in the basement of the library building no longer has open lab hours, but is still available for class and personal use. Check out the Room Reservation Form to schedule the space for your class, or speak to Elizabeth Fields (610-921-7207) or George Missonis (610-921-7203) about using it during the day.
In addition, we still maintain our current services. George Missonis (610-921-7203) continues to be the point person for using BlackBoard for your classes.
Okay, this all sounds good, but what is the catch to these improvements?
Well, there is a catch. In order to provide this higher level of support, we had to separate this service point from the circulation department and restrict hours of service. Services, except for classroom equipment emergencies and picking up pre-reserved materials, will only be available during the times specified. Circulation Desk staff no longer has access to the equipment office or scheduling books.
If I have any comments or suggestions, what should I do?
If you have a suggestion for improving the services, please email av@alb.edu or call 610-921-7207. We want to make this service as helpful and valuable to you as we can.
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