Equipment Room @ MEJO: Orientation

Before you do anything else, make sure you will be able to access Connect2, which is the equipment borrowing system.

Off campus, you need to use a VPN to get on Connect2. 

This page will guide you through the process of downloading and connecting to the VPN. Download and connect to the VPN now. If you have used Cisco AnyConnect to access Connect2 before, double check that it still works and that you remember the process.

Once you are finished, come back here to continue equipment room orientation. 

Connnect2 allows you to book equipment ahead of time. 

Make your booking ahead of time to ensure that the equipment you need is available when you need it! This also allows staff to have your equipment ready for you. 

Availability to equipment is not guaranteed for walk-ins, though if an item is in house and available for the duration needed, you can make a booking for immediate check-out.

When you are ready to make a booking, follow the instructions on this page (guides.lib.unc.edu/equipment-room/check-out) for guidance.

Once you have made a booking, make sure you get a confirmation email from Connect2. 

You will also get reminders of your booking time and equipment due time!

The system sends automated emails to the UNC email associated with your onyen. If you don't see them in your inbox, check your spam folder. 

Use Connect2 to renew your gear or edit your booking.

You may view all the items you have currently checked out by going to your account in Connect2.

1. Click My Account in the top right corner.
2. Under Your Resource Bookings you will see a list of your current bookings.
3. Click on the booking number (e.g. Con012345).
4. Find "Renew" in the right-hand menu. 
5. Before your booking time starts, you can also change the contents and the start time of your booking from this page.

Usually, you can renew your gear three times, but there are some situations in which you will not be able to renew equipment.

If you can't renew, it might be because:

1. It's already after the time your gear was due. If your gear is due at 10 a.m., you can renew through 9:59 a.m but not after that.
2. Someone else reserved the item you have after you. If another user has reserved an item in your possession, you must return the item by the due date so that it is available for them to pick up. 
3. An admin created your booking for you. If an admin created or edited your booking, you will not be able to renew it. If it's available, you can make a new booking and check it out again.
4. You already renewed the items. The system permits 1 renewal per check-out period. 

Photo by Dylan Ferreira on Unsplash

Be on time to check out and return your gear. Most gear can be checked out for 3 days, but some items have longer loan periods. Plan accordingly.

Check out at your booking time: if you make a booking that starts at 11 a.m. on Tuesday, you have until 11:30 a.m. to pick it up. After that, your booking automatically disappears and you'll have to make a new one. You can pick up equipment early if it is available. 

Return your gear on time - or early: it's likely that someone else is checking out the equipment you have after you turn it in. It's very important to return equipment on time so that other students can get the gear that they have reserved. If you are unable to make your equipment due time, try renewing your equipment. Contact Park Library ASAP and explain the situation if you are unable to return or renew as scheduled. 

Warnings: You will get several email reminders about returning your gear. Once gear is two days late, you will get a warning. Both you and your instructor will receive email notice of the warning. You are allowed two warnings per semester. Your third warning will result in a one-week suspension from using the Equipment Room. Currently, there are no late fees, but you adversely impact your fellow students when you fail to return your gear on time. Review the Community Standards and Policies for more information.

You are responsible for the gear you have checked out for the entire time you have it checked out.

For some classes, you will need to share gear. If you are sharing equipment with a classmate, you must include their name and contact info when you make your booking. You share responsibility for the equipment that you have checked out together.

Read the Community Standards and Policies before borrowing gear. 

Follow these guidelines for being responsible for your gear:

1. Never leave it unattended. 
2. Carefully unpack and pack up gear so that everything is in its correct bag. Separate your own gear from equipment room gear before you return it. 
3. If equipment room gear does not work or breaks, tell Park Library staff! Explain the problem when you return the gear. 
4. Test gear when you get it. If something isn't working, you might be able to switch it out for another item that could do the job.
5. Communicate! If you have any issue with your gear or Connect2, let Park Library staff know!