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Meaningless picture of camcorderField Equipment for Media Production
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It is often necessary to record outside of the studio environment. MPS maintains field equipment for checkout for this purpose, including most common items needed for professional production, such as:
  • Cameras and accessories
  • Lighting
  • Tripods and other support accessories
  • Audio recorders and microphones
  • Battery packs
  • Digital still cameras

These items are stored and checked out at the Student Technology Help Desk (SHD) on the second floor of the Kellogg Library. Equipment is currently checked out using the Library Millennium system, but will soon be replaced with our own CSUSM equipment checkout system.

For list of equipment that is available, please refer to the links at the top of the page. Note that these are just the types of equipment and may not reflect what is actually available at any particular point. To find out what is available, ask at the SHD. We are developing a reservation system that will make this information available online in Spring 2007.

Advanced Equipment Use

Some items are available only to students in courses doing advanced work by instructor request. This is equipment that is often fragile and expensive, sometimes requiring specialized training to make effective use of. Use the links at the top of the page to review which items fall into this category. To request that students in your course be allowed to check out advanced equipment, please fill out this form. If you are unsure what kind of equipment your students may need to complete assignments please contact us for a consultation.

Checkout Terms and Conditions

  • Checkout Period. Equipment can be checked out for a 48-hour period. If demand for the equipment permits (at the discretion of SHD staff), it may be renewed in person at the SHD for another 24-hour block, or over the weekend if renewed on a Friday. No renewals will be processed over the telephone or by email.
  • Deadlines for equipment return will be determined by SHD staff at the time of checkout to take into account holidays, weekends, etc.
  • Late fees will accrue if equipment is not returned to the SHD by agreed date and time. Late fees for AV equipment accrue at a rate of $2/hour for items valued at less than $500 replacement cost, and $5/hour for those items over $500.
  • Patrons must pick up equipment at the SHD – no deliveries. Patrons checking out equipment must have a valid CSUSM ID. Overdue fines will prevent checkout. Equipment will only be checked out to authorized persons in person.
  • Equipment operators must be familiar with the operation of the equipment. Training will be made available by appointment by produciton staff. Manuals for some equipment are available for checkout.
  • We inspect and maintain all equipment prior to checkout. If a problem occurs, please notify SHD immediately.
  • Before checkout, all equipment will be examined and its condition noted on the check out form before the form is signed by the borrower. Equipment check-in is complete only when the returned gear has been checked and certified by a SHD staff person.  The borrower is responsible for returning the item in the condition noted. The person who checked out the equipment is responsible for it until it is returned and properly checked in.
  • By checking out the equipment, patron assumes full responsibility for all loss or damage until the equipment has been received by SHD. Charges will include: replacement cost, repair costs, and shipping costs. In the case of problems judged to be due to normal wear-and-tear (not the result of misuse or negligence), the borrower will not be held responsible.
  • When equipment is returned it must include all parts originally checked out. It should be in the same or better condition than it was when checked out. For example, cameras should be neatly packed and cables neatly coiled. If a borrower has experienced trouble with any of the equipment checked out, he or she should inform SHD staff and provide as much detail as possible.
  • After three weeks, failure to return equipment will result in the judgment that the equipment is stolen. Theft will be reported to campus police.

This page created and maintained by Chuck Allen. Last revised Tuesday, August 29, 2006 .