| Laptops for checkout? But we just spent thousands | | | | numbers. |
| on all thesedesktop computers for the public, and | | | | RFID or security tags — Tag the laptops in |
| now they want laptops! Whatcan you do on a laptop | | | | several places |
| that you can’t do on a regular PC? Well,several | | | | TattleTape — Put some “tattle |
| things. Patrons can’t install their own software on | | | | tape” or “tamper strips” over the |
| yourdesktop computers, but with the right setup, | | | | security tag, over the hard drive bay, over the |
| you can give patronsfree reign on your checkout | | | | battery, over the memory bay and elsewhere, so |
| laptops. Also, laptops are great for groupwork. Five | | | | you don’t get a laptop back and find out later |
| or six students can reserve one of your meeting | | | | that it’s missing a key component. |
| roomsand take a laptop in there to work together on | | | | “LoJack for laptops” —LoJack is a |
| a project. Finally,laptops are mobile, allowing patrons | | | | product that tracks your computer. When a laptop |
| to move around among yourdifferent departments | | | | with this product is lost or stolen, it begins to |
| and collections. If you’ve run out of space | | | | “dial home” every time it’s connected to |
| andcan’t provide any more stationary computers | | | | the Internet. Computrace, who makes the product, |
| for the public to use,laptops might be the way to go. | | | | will alert the police and provide them with the |
| This section of the Cookbook lays out some tips and | | | | information they need to recover the laptop. To see |
| recommendations for thoselibraries that are planning | | | | if this product will work with your systems, go to: |
| to implement a laptop checkout program. The | | | | Your staff — Make sure that staff at the |
| primaryfocus here is in checkout laptop safeguards, | | | | front desk know what to check for when the patron |
| as well as laptop and filteringconsiderations. | | | | returns the laptop. They should look for all the major |
| TOPICS TO BE COVERED: | | | | pieces before returning the patron’s photo ID. |
| Laptop Security | | | | Security Tags as a Safeguard Notes froma Chef |
| Laptop Maintenance | | | | “All the systems are security engraved in |
| Buying Your Laptops | | | | numerous places, and all serial numbers are kept inour |
| Do You Need to Filter Your Checkout Laptops? | | | | database. To stop them from walking out of the |
| Check Out This Real, Working Laptop Checkout | | | | door, I have placed visible and not so visible security |
| Program | | | | tags on them that will trigger the alarm system when |
| 64 THE JOY OF COMPUTING – RECIPES FOR A | | | | they are taken out of thebuilding. We do not allow |
| 5-STAR LIBRARY | | | | patrons to take them outside. The laptop bags also |
| Laptop Security? | | | | have two or three security tags in them, so if |
| So … what about laptop security? What’s to | | | | someone does try to steal one, they would have to |
| keep someone from checking out a laptop and | | | | find at least six orseven tags to get over all the |
| walking away, never to be heard from again? What if | | | | security!” |
| a patron drops it? | | | | Terry Caudle Madisonville Public Library, TN THE JOY |
| Here are some actions you can take to secure your | | | | OF COMPUTING – RECIPES FOR A 5-STAR |
| laptop: | | | | LIBRARY 65 No Insecurities About Security |
| Picture ID — Hold their driver’s license | | | | Notes from a Chef |
| or another photo ID until they return thelaptop. | | | | “We are very lucky here; this is the kind of place |
| A checkout form — Ask your patrons to | | | | where people don't lock their houses or their cars, |
| sign a form indicating that they won’t take the | | | | and so security is not an issue here. We do check |
| laptop out of the library and what their responsibility | | | | them out to people. If they have alibrary card, we |
| is should they damage itsomehow. | | | | check them out to them; if they don't, we still let |
| Accidental damage protection — For an | | | | them use them, but they give us their driver's license |
| extra charge, most hardware companies will repair or | | | | or something — we hold onto it. And we have |
| replace your laptop should it get damaged. | | | | never had one walk out the door, and we would all |
| Serial numbers — Engrave the serial number | | | | be flabbergasted if it happened here. |
| into the laptop and then keep track of those | | | | |