DMC Borrower's Agreement Form

First-time borrowers, please complete this borrower agreement form.

Loan of Equipment:

1. Only Rice students, faculty, and staff with a valid Rice ID may borrow equipment.
2. Borrowers are responsible for all checked-out equipment and its correct and careful operation immediately after completing the checkout process and signing the DMC equipment form. Training and demonstration can be requested from the DMC staff as needed
3. Should equipment become faulty for any reason while in the borrower's charge, return it immediately to the DMC and let the DMC staff know about the problem.

Terms of Equipment Loan and Renewal:

1. Standard Loan Period: Standard equipment can be checked out for up to 7 days. Renewals are not permitted.
2. In-House Use Items: In-house items must be returned within 4 hours or prior to closing time, whichever comes first.
3. Returns: Borrowers must return all equipment directly to a staff member during DMC operating hours.
4. Same-Day Re-checkout Restriction: If equipment is returned overdue, it cannot be checked out again by the same borrower on the same day.
5. Extended Loans: Extended loan periods require advance approval from DMC professional staff.

Suspension and Revocation of Equipment Loan Privilege

An immediate 4-month suspension of equipment loan privileges will occur if any of the following situations take place:

• Overdue Items: An item is 3+ days overdue with no communication from the patron.
• Careless Handling: Careless or negligent handling of equipment that leads to loss, theft, or damage (e.g., leaving equipment unattended in public or unsecured areas, whether on or off campus).
• Misconduct: Disrespectful or abusive behavior toward staff members, including aggressive remarks or yelling regarding policies, equipment, or service decisions.

8-Month Suspension & Replacement Fees: Items 7+ days overdue are considered lost. The patron will receive an 8-month suspension of borrowing privileges and will be billed for the replacement cost.

Permanent Revocation: For severe or egregious violations, borrowing privileges may be permanently revoked at any time without prior notice.

Lost or Damaged Equipment: 

1. The borrower will be responsible for paying the cost of replacement of any equipment not returned, or equipment returned that is broken.  
2. Costs assessed against the borrower will be imposed on the borrower's library account and should be paid at the Fondren Library Service Desk of the library.

Reservation of Equipment:

1. Equipment reservations can be made up to 30 days in advance and up to 7 days by logging in to your library account.
2. Reservations are valid for 24 hours only. Equipment will be released if it is not picked up within 24 hours.
3. Pre-approved/long term projects may be given special consideration by the DMC professional staff.
4. The DMC will do its best to honor reservations.  However, our equipment is used heavily, and occasionally patrons return items late.  If this happens, we will do our best to find alternative equipment or to notify you when the equipment is returned.  Please help us ensure the smooth operation of our check-out system by returning equipment on time.