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Equipment for Loan

Laptops are available to loan to VIU students only. 

The IT Service Desk (M-F, 8:00am - 4:30pm) provides laptop loans to employees for a variety of purposes and is often able to provide loans on short-notice. Employees should contact IT to arrange all loans.

Most of the laptops available are for short-term loan, but a limited number are loanable for a semester at a time. Students and employees also have access to desktop computers at the Nanaimo, Cowichan, and tiwšɛmawtxw campuses. Visit this link for a full list of the computer labs at VIU.

Short-term loan Semester loan
Loan period of up to 3 days. No renewals. Loan period of up to 4 months (based on enrolment).
First-come, first-served at the Library Service Desk (subject to availability) Submit waitlist request up to 1 semester prior
Overdue fines are $10/day. Replacement fine and student record flag apply to long-overdue laptops. Return date scheduled individually. Replacement fine and student record flag apply to long-overdue laptops.
Includes laptop, charger, network cable, mouse, bag. Includes laptop, charger, mouse, bag.
Files are deleted every time the computer shuts down. Files are retained on the computer hard drive.
No computer administrator privileges (applications can sometimes be installed). Computer administrator privileges (applications can be installed).

Terms and Conditions for laptop loans

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. 
  • 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 intentionally access or interfere with the personal information or files of other users that they may encounter while using borrowed equipment.

VIU Technology Policy

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.

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