GEN, SEC: Loaning expensive equipment to high school

[Debra Waugh <DEBWAUGH@INETONE.NET>]

I'm in the midst of putting together a grant proposal to put a
multimedia production lab into my high school media center.  Along with
the computers, mixers, monitors, etc. that will stay in the lab, I'll be
getting digital cameras, videocameras, recording devices, 35mm cameras,
etc. to be used by the students for field work.

If you allow students to borrow equipment of this nature, how do you
handle it?  Do I need to involve parents in some kind of a "replace it
if it gets broken" contract?  How much training should I require the
students to have before they take something out to use?  Should I
require a cash deposit or users fee or anything?  I want the students to
use the equipment, and use it A LOT, but I don't want to end the first
year with everything broken, lost or unusable.

Any advice is greatly appreciated!


Deb Waugh
Media Specialist, Graham High School, Bluefield, VA
debwaugh@inetone.net