Subject: Checkout Room, Spring 2023
Greetings students and faculty.
Welcome to the spring semester. Please read over this message that deals with equipment rentals from the check out room, room 1107 Knight Hall.
Equipment desk guidance: The equipment desk is in room 1107, Knight Hall. Hours are subject to change, so keep an eye on the schedule on the door.
Current hours:
Mondays: 7:45am – 9:45pm.
Tuesdays: 7:45am – 9:45pm. Closed from 12:00pm-12:30pm and 4:30pm-5:00pm.
Wednesdays: 7:45am – 9:45pm.
Thursdays: 7:45am – 9:45pm. Closed from 5:00pm – 6:00pm.
Fridays: 7:45am – 5:45pm.
Weekends: Closed
Equipment due dates: Equipment is due back at 9:30am the second business day after it is checked out (Friday gear is due on Tuesday morning). If you keep the gear for 2 days, it counts as 2 days towards your quota. Please check out gear when you need it and return it as soon as you can. Be sure to check your receipt to confirm you are clear on when the gear is due, so you aren’t fined for being late. You are responsible for all the gear listed on the receipt, so confirm it is accurate before you leave the checkout area.
Entire semester rentals: There is a limited number of photo cameras (cameras in the I, P & Q groups only. Group A cameras cannot be checked out for the entire semester) that can be checked out for the entire semester for students in J368N or J370. These are older model Nikon d3000, d3100 & d5100 cameras. They are checked out on a first-come, first-served basis.
Extensions: You can extend their reservation at https://jresourcecenter.umd.edu/index.asp?M=M13 or in person at the checkout room. You cannot do it over the phone. You must have at least 1 day of quota to check out or extend the gear.
It takes time to check out a camera kit from the equipment desk, so plan accordingly.
Equipment quotas: As our photo and video cameras are in increasingly high demand, students have a limited number of days they can check them out. You start the semester with 5 days in your quota or “usage bank” and additional time is added each week on Friday morning.
If you go over your quota, you will not be able to renew equipment online and your equipment will be due at the time and date listed on your receipt. You will need to go to room 1112 Knight Hall and request additional quota.
Camera quotas:
J361/661, J368N:
Initial Quota: 5 days
Quota added each week on Friday morning: 1.4 days
Quota accrued by the end of semester: 25 days
J262/603, J370:
Initial Quota: 5 days
Quota added each week on Friday morning: 1 day
Quota accrued by the end of semester: 20 days
Default for students not in a course that uses a photo or video camera:
Initial Quota: 5 days
Quota added each week on Friday morning: 0.3 days
Quota accrued by the end of semester: 10 days
Gear checked out for less than three hours will not be charged any time.
Reservations: We have a one-day reservation system. If you need a camera on Wednesday, go to the checkout room on Tuesday and request to be put on the waitlist. You should do this even if there are cameras in the checkout. By adding your name to the waitlist, there should be a camera available at 9:30 a.m. on Wednesday. There is not a guarantee. No student will be able to renew equipment on your reservation date until there is enough equipment available to cover reservations.
Late fees: Late fees for a camera are charged by item. A broadcast camera kit usually consists of two batteries ($2 per day/per battery), a tripod ($5 per day), and the camera ($15 per day), for a total fine of $24 per day.
Equipment groups: Students should request equipment by group letter. Here are some common equipment groups:
DSLR gear
A: Nikon d7100, d7200, d7500 Cameras
I: Nikon d5100, d5200 Cameras
P: Nikon d3000 Cameras
Q: Nikon d3100 Cameras
N: DSLR Tripods
V: DSLR Mic Kits (audio splitter, lav mic, extension cable, shoe extension, shotgun mic)
