All requests are reviewed during our business hours Monday through Friday. For any urgent, equipment-related renewals or support over the weekend, please call the office at (507)-222-5434 to guarantee a timely response.
How It Works
1. Browse equipment and submit your reservation in our WebCheckout catalog.
Build your list of cameras, lenses, lighting, and whatever else you need for your project.
Can’t find what your looking for or need help making a reservation? Ask us! Call 507-222-5434 or stop by in-person.
2. Pick up your reservation on the date and time you specified.
Follow Checkout Procedures below. The gist of it is: check your order for completeness.
You may still make changes to your order at the time of pick-up. After you pick up, though, your order is complete!
3. Return your checkout on the date and time you specified.
Help us out by re-packing your checkout just as it was given to you, re-coil any cables, return tripod plates to their tripod, etc.
Need more time? You can request a renewal before your checkout expires.
Checkout Procedures
The Production Office is run almost entirely by students who are learning along with you. Please read the following procedures to help us all ensure a smooth check-out/return process.
Reservation Guidelines
* Users are required to create reservations a minimum of 14 hours in advance. This is a generous lead-time and may be subject to change based on resource availability.
* Large reservation and multiple reservation requests from the same user should be placed a minimum of 24 hours in advance.
* Email or voicemail reservations will not be accepted.
* Reservation renewals are allowed, but not guaranteed. You may renew for 1 more day.
* Reservations may be canceled by the Production Office if you don’t show up within one hour of the reservation time, unless the Production Office has been notified in advance by phone (504-222-5434) or email (camsprodn@carleton.edu).
How to Reserve Equipment
- You can use our online reservation system, WebCheckout Patron Portal to make a reservation yourself at any time. No-same-day-reservations still applies, and you must keep your account in good standing campus-wide to make a reservation in Patron Portal.
- You can make a reservation over the phone by calling 507-222-5434 when we’re open.
- You can make a reservation in-person when the Production Office is open.
User Pick-Up Responsibilities
Your equipment order is prepared and checked prior to your arrival by a staff of student workers. Your peers do their best, but things happen! Please check your equipment before leaving the building and report any issues ASAP. You may use the Equipment Prep Bay outside of the office in the hall.
* Check that all assigned equipment is in your order.
* Inspect and test all equipment before leaving the Production Office.
* Report any damage or missing items BEFORE leaving the building.
* Once a user leaves the Production Office, they are financially responsible for any damage or missing pieces, even if they didn’t use that piece of equipment.
* Claiming that equipment was missing or broken prior to pick-up may not suffice unless it is reported to the Production Office before leaving the building.
User Return Responsibilities
* Return the equipment in good condition
- Cables should be properly coiled and secured with the fastener provided
- Wipe slates clean.
- If you used a lens other than the kit lens, please return the kit lens to the camera.
- Make sure the resource ID on the equipment matches the resource number on the case and all accessories go back in the correct cases.
* Report damage or missing items immediately.
* Wait for Production Office staff to acknowledge the return before walking away.
Renewing a Checkout
* You may renew a checkout for 1 more day so long as you request a renewal BEFORE your original return time. A renewal is not always guaranteed. To request a renewal:
* Call 507-222-5434 (responsive 7 days a week during open hours)
* OR, email camsprodn@carleton.edu (responsive M-F during open hours)
Late Returns
* Users may be fined on a per checkout basis for returning equipment late. A grace period of up to one hour may be granted at staff discretion. Penalties are as follows:
- First offense – Warning
- Second offense and beyond – Late fees of $25 per day, per checkout.
- Repeated offenses – suspension, with an email notification of users’ suspended status to the CAMS faculty member.
Abandoned or Unattended Equipment
* Equipment is considered abandoned or unattended when it is left in public or unsecured areas without supervision. Such behavior may result in fines of $100 per instance.
* Damage to/theft of equipment left in public/unsecured areas is the sole responsibility of the person who checked it out.
Missing/Damaged Equipment
* Once equipment leaves the Production Office, users are financially responsible for any missing components or damage beyond normal wear and tear** that occurs during their checkout period, even if they did not personally damage or lose the items themselves.
* Users have 48 hours to return missing equipment. After this period, the full replacement cost may be charged to their student account.
* The Production Office will assess any and all damage and will coordinate all repairs and replacements.
** Normal wear and tear is the damage to equipment resulting from continued use and exposure over time. This may include, but is not limited to, faulty cables, sticky tripod legs/knobs, battery/power issues, damaged internal components, etc.
Violation of Policies
Repeated violations of any of these policies may result in suspension of checkout privileges.