Students have a broad range of services available to them at the University and one service frequently used by students is the Technology Lending Service, offered by the D.H. Hill Library, which gives students access to a plethora of technologies. From laptops and iPads to graphics tablets and GPS units, if a student needs it the library probably has it.

Trip Reade, a media resources librarian, has been involved with the Technology Lending Service for nearly a decade. According to Reade, the Technology Lending Service has evolved over the years, in keeping with the rapid development of technology.

In 2000, the Technology Lending Service offered only laptops from a desk located in the west wing of D.H. Hill. As the service expanded, it was relocated to the east wing’s learning commons in March 2007. The Technology Lending Service is now based at the main circulation desk, and has been since the fall semester of 2009.

Technology has changed a lot since 2000. At that time, Reade said not as many students had laptops. Even though most students today have their own personal computers, Reade said the most commonly requested item are laptops.

“More students have their own laptop today [than in 2000], but don’t want to carry it,” Reade said, “so they think, ‘I’ll just check one out.'”

Carly Sutter, a sophomore in math education, said she just started using the Technology Lending Service this year. “It’s convenient. I don’t need to carry my laptop around or wait for an open computer,” Sutter said.

Brett Banford, a senior in microbiology, said he uses the service a lot, but mainly for laptops.

“They always have what I want. There’s never a long wait,” Banford said.

In Reade’s time with the University, the Technology Lending Service has evolved to include much more than just laptops.

According to David Woodbury, a learning commons librarian, “we are always looking to add new items for the Technology Lending Service.” 

The latest iPod touch is one example of a newly added item to the TLS.

“We are really excited about the potential of the new iPod touch to help students shoot HD video for class assignments,” Woodbury said. “These iPod touches are also FaceTime enabled, which will allow students to communicate through video chat.”

While there are only three available iPod touches now, the library is planning to add more soon.

“There are three iPod touches currently available for students to check out at the main desk in D.H. Hill for four hours. We will be adding 20 additional new iPod touches to be available to check out for a week at a time,” Woodbury said.

One of the newer additions to the Technology Lending Service is the online waiting list.  Students can get on a waiting list for any piece of technology the library offers, and will be contacted via e-mail or text message when the device is ready for pickup.

“[The online system] is still a step away from reserving [a device]. It’s like a queue,” Reade said.

According to Woodbury, video will continue to be an expanding area for the Technology Lending Service. Digital SLRs, digital cameras and camcorders are presently available.

“In addition, we have pro-quality software and tools available in our Digital Media Lab, including a green screen and audio recording equipment,” Woodbury said.

Other new additions are in the pipeline, Woodbury said.

“We are also keeping an eye on the latest developments in multi-touch tablets like the iPad. We see a lot of use of the iPads that we loan,” Woodbury said. ”We expect we’ll see new models from Apple and other manufacturers to be coming out in the next six to nine months and would like to be able to provide N.C. State students access to this equipment.”

There is a tremendous use of the Technology Lending Service by students, Woodbury said.

“Our most popular items, such as laptops and headphones, are checked out by thousands of students every week,” Woodbury said. “We check out hundreds of iPads, cameras, iPods and calculators too.”

According to David Hiscoe, director of communications for the library, “the Tech[nology] Lending Service has averaged loaning out almost 100,000 devices a year for the past several years.”

Funding for the devices in the Technology Lending Service comes from the Education and Technology Fee (ETF), according to Reade. According to the 2008/09 ETF Expenditure Report, “$239,400.12was expended on computers, equipment, software and related maintenance to provide or refresh workstations in library study seating areas, including the Learning Commons and the Assistive Technology Center at the D. H. Hill Library, and to add or upgrade devices available through the Technology Lending Service.”[1]

Woodbury said there are plans for continued development of the TLS.

“We’ve built the [Technology Lending] Service with suggestions from students,” Woodbury said. “We make sure we have the technology that will help N.C. State students get their school work and research done.”