Frequently Asked Questions

Yes and no. While some of our equipment is available at all of the loan centers, others are limited to one or two locations. The location availability can be found on the Equipment Catalog page under each resource.

Technically, yes—we do allow on-the-spot reservations. However, we cannot guarantee that the equipment you want will be available. We strongly recommend making a reservation as soon as possible once you know what equipment you need and when you need it.

You can check out a maximum of 20 separate items at a time (this includes accessories such as cables, but not those in equipment kits.)

However, the individual pieces of equipment do have limits on them. Resource limits can be found on the Equipment Catalog page under each resource type.

Yes, if:

• The order hasn’t been renewed before;

• The order isn’t overdue; and

• None of the equipment on the order is reserved for someone else during the time you want to renew it for.

You need to place a special request with the Technology Library Supervisor by emailing LSATechnologyServices@umich.edu.

You either returned equipment late or otherwise misused or neglected it (leaving it unattended in a classroom or other public place, breaking equipment by handling it recklessly, etc.). Borrowing from our Loan Centers is a privilege that can be revoked if your use of the equipment is deemed irresponsible.

More information about the different hold levels is here.

If you think a hold has been unfairly applied to your account or mitigating circumstances are involved, email the Technology Library Supervisor directly (akoebel@umich.edu) and explain your case as soon as possible. Each situation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.

Each situation will be assessed on a case-by-case basis. If the loss or damage of the equipment is determined to be the result of misuse or neglect, you will most likely be invoiced.

No, the invoice will be nullified if you return the equipment UNLESS it’s broken and needs to be replaced. However, the Level 4 hold will remain on your account.

We don’t police what patrons do with our equipment as long as it doesn’t violate the University's Responsible Use of Information Resources policies. However, keep in mind that you are the one responsible for any equipment checked out under your name if anything is returned late, damaged, otherwise unusable, is stolen, or is lost.

Yes, if you contact the LSA Technology Library and provide us with the person’s UNIQNAME, we can add them to your order as an authorized pickup. We will only allow the person listed as an authorized pickup to checkout an order that is under someone else's name. Remember, you are the one held responsible if anything happens to the equipment, so we want to make sure you know who has it.

No, but we will be happy to reserve the equipment for you to pick up at a more convenient time.

We do understand that sometimes you can’t carry everything in one trip. Under those circumstances, if you tell the LSATS Loan workers what’s going on you can leave equipment there for 30 minutes. Once that 30 minutes is up, any equipment left will be returned.

Yes, you MUST take all of the components listed on the checkout sheet for the kit. 

We don’t have the space to keep incomplete kits that are checked out to people and there’s too much room for error in what you return later not getting to the right place - it’s a lot less confusing for everyone for you to keep the kit in your possession.

We will hold the order for you up to 30 minutes past the designated pick-up time. After that, the reservation will cancel and the equipment will be available to go out to other patrons. If you’re going to be more than 30 minutes late, please call the Loan Center before the original pick-up time and ask them to change your pick-up time.

No, the kits need to be returned in their entirety. If possible, we will be happy to renew the kit or check you out for a new camera with the SD card from your previous one.

Please visit the LSATS Media Center (2001 MLB) if you are having any issues downloading or exporting your footage. Our LTC Media Productions staff is on hand most of the hours we’re open and can assist on many problems.

By checking off each component, you‘re saying you verified it was in the kit when you checked it out; and once you check it off and sign the form, you are taking responsibility for it. For your own protection, don’t check off anything until you have seen it with your own eyes.

Since you’ve taken responsibility for the equipment, you can explain the situation to the Circulation Supervisor, who will decide the appropriate course of action on a case-by-case basis.

That depends. If the missing component is something inexpensive and easily replaced with on-site spares, we can take back the kit. 

If it’s something expensive and/or can’t be replaced with spares we have on-site, we will give you the kit back so you can search for the missing component and return the kit in full (overdue penalties will still apply during this time, so renew it if you can!). If you still can’t find it, contact the Circulation Supervisor; they will review the situation and determine the implications.

If damage is determined to be the result of neglect, carelessness, or misuse you will be invoiced for the broken equipment.

Lost equipment is automatically considered neglect and you will be charged.

Stolen equipment will be determined on a case-by-case basis. You will need to provide a copy of the police report as part of this process.

The equipment we loan out varies greatly in its intended use and ease of use. The levels are intended to make sure the equipment gets to as many people as possible while making sure the patrons who take out the higher-level equipment have a basic knowledge of its use. 

More information about the hold/freeze levels can be found on the policies and procedures page.

No, you must complete the authorization activity before you can reserve any Level 3 equipment. We can’t guarantee that authorized personnel will be available to do the authorization activity with you when you’re ready to pick up the equipment.

More information about  Level 3 orientations can be found here.