Equipment Loans
A variety of equipment is available for loan to VIU students and employees through the library. The collection includes photography equipment, audio and video recording equipment, presentation tools, computer accessories, board games and so much more.
Some equipment can be booked in advance and other equipment is available on reserve from the Library Service Desk.
Use the self-serve equipment booking page to request equipment at either the Nanaimo or Cowichan campus, up to 14 days in advance. Students and employees can loan most equipment for up to 7 days at a time.
Equipment must be picked up from and returned to an employee, in-person, at the Library Service Desk during open hours. Make sure to bring your VIU card with you.
Some common equipment is available at the Library Service Desk for 4- or 24-hour loan. These materials cannot be booked in advance and are available on a first-come, first-served basis. This includes:
- whiteboard marker kits
- headphones and headsets
- calculators
- scissors
- rulers
- extension cords
- geometry kits
- common cables and adapters
Please note that late fines accumulate on overdue reserves equipment. Fine amount vary based on the loan period.
By submitting an equipment booking request, borrowers acknowledge that they will be responsible for the proper use of the equipment they are borrowing from VIU Library, in accordance with VIU policy AD06 (Acceptable Use of Information Technology and Information Security) and the following terms:
- Equipment loans are limited to current VIU students, employees and retirees.
- 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 not picked up within one hour of its reservation time may be cancelled at the discretion of the Library.
- 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 28 days 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. Fines for unreturned equipment amount to the replacement cost for that item. Unreturned laptops are subject to a replacement fine of $1,724.80.
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 intentionally access or interfere with the personal information or files of other users that they may encounter while using borrowed equipment.
Laptop loans
Laptops are available to loan to current VIU students only. Bring your VIU card to the Library Service Desk to check out a laptop for up to 3 days. They are available on a first-come, first-served basis.
Laptops cannot be renewed and must be returned, on-time, to the Library Service Desk during open hours. Overdue laptops accrue fines of $10 per day.
Students and employees also have access to desktop computers at the Nanaimo, Cowichan and tiwšɛmawtxw campuses. View the full list of the computer labs at VIU.
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.
- Submit a semester laptop loan request (opens in new window)
If you have already submitted a request for the current or upcoming semester, you have been added to the waitlist. 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 a computer on-campus, borrowing a short-term loan laptop or exploring the other options for low- or no-cost technology listed below.
Other options
There are organizations in BC that offer low- or no-cost technology to those in need. Students looking for a long-term computer solution may wish to look into the following programs:
Featured equipment
Interesting things to borrow
Board games
Book a board gameWhether you're hosting a game night or just need a brain break between classes, VIU Library's collection of board and card games are available to book for students and employees. Stick to the classics or branch out - it's up to you. This collection includes a range of different types of games for all number of players, including Apples to Apples, Chess, Codenames, Taboo, Uno and more.
Reserve as many games as you would like from this collection up to 14 days in advance. Each loan can run for up to 7 days.
Gear Closet
View gear availabilityThe Gear Closet is a collection of fieldwork clothing that VIU students can borrow. This program is a collaboration between VIU's Resource Management Officer Technology program and the library, with funding provided through generous donations made to the VIU Foundation.
Bring your VIU card to the Library Service Desk to check out available gear, or place a "volume hold" on a specific size of item to be notified when it becomes available. Loans are for up 7 days. Clean and return loaned gear to the Library Service Desk during open hours.
Kitchen appliances
Book a kitchen applianceThe Kitchen appliance collection began as a student-led initiative to enhance food literacy on campus. This collection, made possible through funding from the Embark Student Foundation, supports student well-being, food security and hands‑on learning by making cooking more accessible to everyone.
VIU students and employees can book kitchen appliances for loan. Borrowers must thoroughly clean all components before returning this equipment. Follow the guidance in these video tutorials to operate and clean each item properly and safely and read this VIU News post for more information about the collection.
Focus support
Book sensory support toolsSustained focus is a skill that can help you effectively manage your time and complete your coursework. VIU Library has a collection of bookable tools that support concentration, such as fidget toys, privacy screens, assistive scanning pens, lap desks and other sensory supports. View and book using the link above. Navigate to other categories or "Show All" from the top of the linked page to view and book more supportive equipment, like noise-cancelling headphones.
Join us for sensory-friendly study at the library to try out different focus support tools.