Temple's laptop rental program is for current students, and you reserve one through the library system

Temple University offers short-term laptop rentals through its library branches, primarily for students who need a device for coursework, research, or exams. The rental is free for current Temple students with a valid student ID. You reserve a laptop online or in person at any of Temple's library locations, and most loans are for 2 to 4 hours, though some branches offer overnight or longer checkout periods depending on demand.

The program exists because not every student has reliable access to a personal computer, and Temple recognizes that a broken laptop or a forgotten charger shouldn't block you from finishing an assignment. The rental process is straightforward, but the details — what you need to bring, how long you can keep it, what happens if you damage it — vary slightly by location and by how busy the library is that day.

Key Takeaways

  • You must have a current Temple student ID and be enrolled in at least one course to rent a laptop through the library system.
  • Most laptop rentals are for 2 to 4 hours, though some branches allow overnight checkout if the device is available and demand is low.
  • You can reserve a laptop online through the library's website or walk in and request one at the circulation desk during library hours.
  • Rental is free, but you are responsible for any damage beyond normal wear — accidental spills, cracked screens, or lost devices may result in a charge to your student account.
  • Availability depends on the time of day and the semester; laptops are most likely to be available mid-morning on weekdays and least available during midterms and finals.

Where to rent a laptop on campus

Temple's main library locations that offer laptop rentals are Charles Library (the main library on the main campus) and the Ginsburg Library in the Health Sciences Center. Both have circulation desks where you can request a device. Charles Library is usually the largest collection and has the most consistent availability, but Ginsburg serves students in the health professions programs and may have shorter wait times if you are in that area of campus.

Some smaller departmental libraries may also have laptops available, though their collections are smaller and hours are more limited. Check the Temple Libraries website or call the specific branch before you go, because availability changes throughout the day and some branches close earlier than others.

What you need to bring and how to reserve

Bring your valid Temple student ID and your Temple username and password if you are reserving online. You do not need to bring anything else — the laptop comes with a power adapter, and you can use it in the library or take it to a study space elsewhere on campus.

To reserve online, log into the Temple Libraries website, navigate to the laptop rental section, select your preferred branch and time window, and confirm your reservation. You will receive a confirmation email. Walk in to the circulation desk without a reservation and ask to rent a laptop; staff will check your ID and hand you one if devices are available. If the branch is out of laptops at that moment, ask when the next one is expected back — most 2-hour rentals return within a predictable window.

How long you can keep a laptop and what happens when time is up

Standard checkout is 2 to 4 hours depending on the branch and time of day. During busy periods like midterms and finals, the library may shorten the loan period to 2 hours to spread devices among more students. During slower periods, you may be able to renew your checkout for another 2 to 4 hours if no one else has reserved the device.

When your time is up, return the laptop to the same circulation desk where you checked it out. If you are running late, call the library and ask if you can extend; staff will tell you whether another student has already reserved it. Returning a laptop late does not result in a fine the way an overdue book does, but repeated late returns may result in losing your rental privileges.

Damage, loss, and what you are responsible for

You are responsible for any damage that goes beyond normal wear and tear. Normal wear means the device has been used as intended — the keyboard works, the screen is intact, the battery holds a charge. Damage you would pay for includes a cracked screen, liquid damage from spills, a non-functioning keyboard, or a missing power adapter.

The library will assess the damage when you return the device and tell you the cost. Charges typically range from $50 to $400 depending on the repair needed, and the cost is billed to your student account. If you lose the laptop entirely, you are responsible for the full replacement cost, which is usually $600 to $1,000. To avoid this, do not leave a rental laptop unattended in public spaces, and do not take it outside the campus area.

When laptops are hardest to find

Laptop availability drops sharply during midterm week, finals week, and the first week of each semester when many students are working on assignments simultaneously. If you know you will need a laptop during these times, reserve one as early as possible — some branches allow reservations up to two weeks in advance.

Time of day also matters. Mid-morning (10 a.m. to noon) and early afternoon (1 p.m. to 3 p.m.) on weekdays are usually the busiest times. Early morning (before 9 a.m.), late evening (after 6 p.m.), and weekends tend to have better availability. If you are flexible about when you work, shifting your study time to an off-peak hour makes it much more likely you will find a device available without a wait.

What to do if no laptops are available

If the library is out of laptops, ask the circulation desk when the next one is expected back. Most 2-hour rentals return within 30 minutes to 2 hours of their checkout time, so you may be able to wait or come back later. If you cannot wait, ask whether you can reserve a laptop for a specific time later that day or the next day.

If you need a laptop urgently and the library cannot help, check whether your department or college has its own device lending program — some schools within Temple (like the College of Engineering or the Fox School of Business) maintain their own small collections for their students. You can also ask a librarian whether any computer labs on campus have open stations where you can work without checking out a device.

Frequently Asked Questions

Do I have to be a full-time student to rent a laptop?

No. You must be a currently enrolled Temple student with a valid student ID, but enrollment in even one course qualifies you. Part-time students, graduate students, and undergraduates all have the same rental rights.

Can I take a rental laptop off campus?

Yes, you can take it anywhere during your rental period — to a coffee shop, a friend's apartment, or home. Just do not leave it unattended in public, and return it by your important date. Taking it off campus does not extend your checkout time or change your responsibility for damage.

What if I damage a laptop but it still works?

Report the damage to the circulation desk when you return it. The library will assess whether the damage affects the device's function or safety. Minor cosmetic damage (a small dent) usually does not result in a charge, but anything that affects performance (a cracked screen, sticky keys, battery problems) will be charged to your account.

Can I reserve a laptop for someone else?

No. The person renting the laptop must be present with their own student ID. This prevents devices from being reserved and then abandoned, and it ensures the person using the device is the one responsible for it.

What operating system do the laptops run?

Temple's rental laptops run Windows. If you need a Mac for specific software your class requires, ask your professor or your department whether they have Mac devices available, or check whether the library has a small collection of Mac laptops separate from the main Windows pool.