This time of year students are busy with papers, exams, and projects. This point in the year, computers in the Marvin K. Peterson Library are in high demand. You might come into the Library, look around, and not find a single empty computer. Does that mean you cannot get your work done? Not at all!
Many students are still not aware of the Library’s 36 laptops available for use within the building. You can go to the Circulation Desk and, with your UNH ID card, borrow a laptop for three hours that you can use anywhere in the building. This program is extremely popular with students since it began last year. You can take your laptop to the Jazzman’s Café and enjoy a snack, to a Group Study Room to work on a project with your friends, or to the Upper Level where you can write a paper in peace and quiet. These computers have the same software as the Library’s desktop computers and print to the Pharos printing system in the Library. If you want to keep the laptop longer than three hours, you can come back to the Circulation Desk before your time is up and charge out a power cord to keep your laptop running. For those of you who prefer external mice to a laptop’s touch pad, you can charge out a mouse as well.
Keep in mind that using these laptops come with strict regulations. Before you charge out a laptop for the first time you will be asked to read and sign a Laptop Loan Agreement Form, which will list all the rules concerning laptop use. Library laptops cannot leave the building for any reason and also have an overdue fine of 20 cents per minute or $12 per hour. Don’t forget that these fines can be avoided by renewing your laptop before your time is up. You cannot put a hold on a laptop or reserve one, but availability of laptops has rarely been an issue. So the next time you come into the Library to study, consider using a laptop! For more information about laptop policies, please see the Circulation Desk Staff or call us at 932.7197.