August 2025

Quick facts

• There is a new application process for requesting Tech Lending items. Patrons or staff can fill out this Tech Lending survey to get on the waiting list for a device.
• Tech Lending allows patrons to check out a Chromebook to take home for a period of three (3) months.
• Who can use it?
  • Patrons ages 13 and older may checkout devices. Adults may check out devices for patrons ages 12 and younger.
  • Tech Lending is available only to patrons who live or go to school in Multnomah County.
  • This program is meant to prioritize BIPOC patrons, but anyone who needs access to technology may participate. Most patrons are referred to the program through community partners or by staff specifically working with BIPOC communities. See Process for connecting patrons with Tech Lending.
• Questions? Contact Tech Lending staff, Junix Seraphim, at junixs@multco.us or 971.420.7258.
• The library no longer lends hotspots. Please send any returned hotspots to Junix Seraphim at OPS. Patrons who may have lost or not returned their hotspots will not be billed.
• For information on in-library use only Laptops/Chromebooks, please see Chromebooks.

Jump to:

• Patrons requesting devices at locations
• Patrons requesting devices through community partners or library programming/WSYL staff
• Placing holds
• Filling holds
• Check out
• Renewals
• Returns
• Damaged devices
• Lost or stolen devices

Procedure

Patrons requesting devices at locations

• Requests for Chromebooks at locations with Tech Lending devices (Albina, Kenton, Midland, Rockwood and Troutdale) can be processed by staff at the moment of the request.
  • Staff should use the Process for connecting patrons with Tech Lending doc to help guide the decision of connecting patrons to Tech Lending devices.
  • Make sure library account information is current. If a patron does not have a library account, staff can register the patron for a card.
• Before requesting devices, staff will review the patron's account.
  • Does the patron live or go to school in Multnomah County?
  • Check the Extended Info tab to see if Tech Lending items have been lost, stolen or damaged on two separate occasions. If they have been, the patron is not eligible to check out these devices.
• There is a new application process for requesting Tech Lending items. Patrons interested in Tech Lending, or staff, can fill out this Tech Lending survey to get on the waiting list for a device.
• If uncertain about lending devices to a patron, contact Tech Lending staff, Junix Seraphim, at junixs@multco.us or 971.420.7258.

Patrons requesting devices through community partners or library programming/WSYL staff

• Patrons are referred to the Tech Lending Program by community partners or specified library programming staff.
• There is a new application process for requesting Tech Lending items. Patrons interested in Tech Lending, or staff, can fill out this Tech Lending survey to get on the waiting list for a device.
• Tech Lending requests will be reviewed by the Tech Lending Team:
  • To ensure all required information is complete and that address and contact information is current.
  • For Submissions through community partners, staff will call patrons to check contact information.
  • Before requesting devices, staff will review the Extended Info tab in the patron's account to see if Tech Lending items have been lost, stolen or damaged on two separate occasions. If they have been, the patron is not eligible to check out these devices.
• If a patron does not have a library account, staff will create an account.

Placing holds

• The Tech Lending team will place holds in the order they are processed.
• Once an account is created, or an existing account is ready to use, a hold on devices may be placed through the Place Holds wizard.
• Like any other hold and checkout, Online patrons can place holds and pick up a physical library card at the same time.
• Inform patrons that there is no limit to the amount of times they can request a Chromebook. They can fill out the Tech Lending survey again to get back on the waiting list.

Filling holds

• When your location receives a Chromebook, check in the device to fill the hold using the Receive Transit Wizard.
• Community partners may have holds placed on multiple items. Provide the hold slip for each device, keep the devices together, and write 1 of 2 and 2 of 2 on the hold slips.
• Do not check out devices until the patrons come to pick them up.
• Designate a location to hold tech lending items that is not on public hold shelves.
• Devices will be held for 3 weeks automatically.
• If a hold expires, check in the device and route it to fulfill another hold or return it to the Operations Center.
• Do not stack more than two Chromebook backpacks in a crate.

Check out

• Devices should only be checked out to the patron/library card used to place the hold.
  • If a patron has arranged to have it picked up by someone else, the Tech Lending Team will note the name of the person picking up.
    • Items should still be checked out on the hold patron's account.
    • If you are not sure if someone is authorized to pick up the hold, contact Tech Lending staff, Junix Seraphim, at junixs@multco.us or 971.420.7258.
  • In cases where a patron needs the device picked up by someone else but checked out to their account, a comment will be placed in the patron's account to notify staff that the hold is being picked up by someone else, but to please check out the device to the patron with the hold.
• Check out devices after patrons arrive to pick them up.
• Patrons can only check out one Chromebook at a time.
• Community partners may check out multiple devices at one time. Refer them to Tech Lending staff, Junix Seraphim, at junixs@multco.us or 971.420.7258.
• Check out period is three (3) months.
• Use the Check Out wizard to check out devices to patrons' accounts.
• Staff will review devices with the patron to ensure they are not damaged.
• If time permits, staff can provide some guidance on how to get the device turned on and connected:
  • Turning on.
  • Connecting to internet.
  • How to charge the device.
  • Review the Chromebook Quick Start Guide. 

Renewals

• There are currently no renewals on the Tech Lending devices.
• Patrons can request devices again.
• In urgent situations, loan periods may be extended for up to one month by modifying the due date. Contact Tech Lending staff, Junix Seraphim, at junixs@multco.us or 971.420.7258, if more time is needed.

Returns

• See the Tech Lending delivery process page for how to pack Chromebooks.
• Devices must be returned to staff at a library during open hours and not placed in the book drop.
• When devices are returned, staff will review them for damage. If items are damaged, do not check them in. Follow the Damaged Devices procedure below.
• Check in devices on Symphony (Tech Lending items are not in IMMS), but do not process any holds until after completing the following process:
  • Review devices to ensure they are in working order and contents are complete
  • Does the device turn on?
  • Does the Chromebook have a charging cable?
    • Does the charger work and does the Chromebook show that it is charging when plugged in?
  • Does the Chromebook connect to the internet?
  • If pieces are missing, we will not add fees or contact patrons.
    • Request charging cables from Tech Lending staff, Junix Seraphim, at junixs@multco.us or 971.420.7258.
    • Circulate the Chromebook without the mouse.
  • If items are not in working order, please send it to Terri Baker in IT for review.
• If devices are in working order and complete, or missing pieces have been requested, follow instructions to wipe and re-enroll Chromebooks
• Chromebooks are ready to go out and can fill holds once Chromebooks are complete, wiped and re-enrolled.
• Do not stack more than 2 backpacks or 2 Chromebooks into on crate for transporting, see Tech Lending delivery process.

Damaged devices

When Tech Lending devices are returned damaged, such as a cracked screen, no picture, or broken keyboard:

• Do not check in the device.
• Add a History field in the patrons account. Include the Item ID of the damaged device: Patron returned damaged chromebook 31168112345678. JM/GRG 12/22/2021.
• From the list of checked out items, right click on the item.
• Select Mark Item Lost.
• Make sure the bill amount is $0.00 and click Bill Patron.
• Send damaged devices to IT/OPS noting the type of damage.

Lost or stolen devices

1. Add a History field in the extended info tab of the patron's account. Include the Item ID of the devices: Patron reported lost/stolen chromebook 31168112345678. JM/GRG 8/2/2025.
2. From the list of checked out items, right click on the item.
3. Select Mark Item Lost.
4. Make sure the bill amount of $0.00 and click Bill Patron.
5. Report the lost or stolen items, including the patron and item information, to Tech Lending staff, Junix Seraphim, at junixs@multco.us or 971.420.7258.

Policy

• Patrons will never be billed for lost, missing, or damaged devices.
• Tech Lending is available only to patrons who live or go to school in Multnomah County.
• Patrons may check out one Chromebook at a time.
• Community partners may check out multiple devices.
• Patrons ages 13 and older may check out devices. Adults may check out devices for patrons ages 12 and younger.
• The loan period is three (3) months and may be extended for one additional month. Contact Tech Lending staff, Junix Seraphim, at junixs@multco.us or 971.420.7258, if more time is needed.
• Patrons that had devices damaged, lost or stolen two separate times may not check out any more Tech Lending devices.