A limited number of laptops are available for students to request for semester loan. Requests are considered on a first-come, first-served basis, and a student's Library account must be in good standing in order to qualify. Students may request semester loan laptops for up to 4 months at a time (the timing does not have to align with VIU's standard academic semester dates).

While the Library will make every effort to accommodate each request, please note that submitting a request does not guarantee a semester loan laptop will become available.

This program is intended to bridge computer access for students who are making alternate technology arrangements long-term. With this in mind, students who have not yet received a semester loan are prioritized over those who have already received one in a previous term.

Fall 2025: While we encourage you to submit a request if you are in need, please note that it is unlikely a semester loan will become available for applicants submitting a Fall 2025 request beyond August 31. You may submit a request for Spring 2026 (January-April) starting September 2, 2025.

If you have already submitted a request:

You have been added to the waitlist, and a Library employee will contact you if a laptop becomes available. Please do not submit another request for the same time frame. If you need a computer sooner, we recommend using one of the computers in the Library Commons, borrowing a short-term loan laptop, or exploring the other options for low- or no-cost technology listed elsewhere on this page.

Students acknowledge that they will be responsible for the proper use of the equipment they are borrowing from Vancouver Island University (VIU) Library, in accordance with the VIU Use of Information Technology policy (45.01) and the following terms:

• Equipment loans are limited to current VIU students, employees, and retirees. Laptop loans are available to current VIU students only.
• The borrower must show valid photo ID to check out equipment. 
• The borrower will be the only person operating the equipment and will not leave it unattended.
• Equipment must be returned in the same condition it was received in, along with all included cables, accessories, and cases, by the due date.
• Equipment must be returned by the borrower, during open hours, to a Library employee at the Library Service Desk.
• If equipment is damaged or lost while checked out to the borrower, they must pay the full repair or replacement charges.
• Incomplete and late equipment returns may result in restriction of access to VIU Library resources and/or Library fines.
• If equipment becomes 4 weeks overdue, student borrowers may have a flag applied to their student record which prevents access to course registration and to official transcripts. This flag will be removed when the equipment is returned and/or when the applicable fines are paid. Unreturned laptops are subject to a replacement fine of $1691.20.

VIU-issued technology, including computers, are public. VIU Library takes all necessary measures to ensure that personal data is securely erased after each use. However: 

• The borrower is responsible for deleting all files and logging out of all programs and accounts before returning equipment. Failure to do so may leave personal information vulnerable to unauthorized access.
• The borrower agrees not to intentionally access or interfere with the personal information or files of other users that they may encounter while using borrowed equipment.

VIU students should understand how to use university technology safely and appropriately. Please read the below Use of Information Technology policy before using campus technology including computers and campus wireless access.