The Library Loaner Laptop Program: Successes, Changes, and Feedback

Pioneered in 2020 during the Covid-19 pandemic closure, the Library Loaner Laptop Program was created to freely loan computers to WSUV students. Beginning this Fall, 80% of laptops will be available as year-long loans instead of the current semester model. 

The program has been extensively successful, with about 95% of laptops being checked out during the Spring 2026 semester. The WSUV Library director, Sam Buechler, confirms that “there’s definitely a high demand. 
They all check out within the first two weeks of the semester, and we don’t see them back until the end of the semester.” 

The library last reported to have 94 laptops, not counting some that may currently be out of commission or receiving repairs. However, they plan to acquire 20 more in the next fiscal year. There are currently Dell PC’s and Mac Laptops available for semester checkout and PC’s available for a seven-day checkout as well. 

The program was mentioned in the RPK report (Administrative Services Review) commissioned by WSU to measure the operational efficiency and functionality of the school as a whole (read what the VanCougar reported on RPK here). The report suggested that WSUV should: “Develop quantitative methods to measure the impact and return on investment of the Library’s popular student laptop lending program on retention and student success” (Pg. 5). 

In response to this suggestion, the library offered an optional anonymous exit survey to program participants to gauge their experience. The quantitative questions received wholly positive responses from students.

10.5% of respondents agreed and 89.5% of respondents strongly agreed with the statement: “I found the Loaner Laptop Program to be a valuable resource.” 

15.8% of respondents agreed and 84.2% of respondents strongly agreed with the statement: “I would use the Loaner Laptop Program again.”

15.8% of respondents agreed and 84.2% of respondents strongly agreed with the statement: “Access to the loaner Laptop Program was important to my ability to attend WSU Vancouver.”

The program is funded by the Student Technology Fee, a $20 fee charged to all WSUV students every semester, alongside an individual donor. Each computer costs around $1,500, with an estimated total cost of $141,000 for all 94 computers. Funding for repairs comes from both the library and their partnership with the WSUV IT Department. 

“Overall, I think that it’s a really important and necessary program, and something that the library will continue to support” Adds Buechler. “In today’s environment, access to technology is a requirement to succeed in higher education, but it remains cost prohibitive for many students. The Library Loaner Laptop program provides an avenue for access to essential technology that may otherwise be inaccessible.”