Central Loans - Frequently Asked Questions by Central Loans

What is Connect2 and how does it work?

nick_mcleod — 2020-04-29 09:24:02 UTC

Connect2 is the online booking system we use in Central Loans. It allows you to pre-book any equipment or rooms that you will need during your time at UWE Bristol.
You will need your UWE Bristol username and password to access Connect2 (we don't keep these on file, so you will need to remember them).
Full instructions on how to use Connect2 are explained in this video:

How long can I loan an item for?

nick_mcleod — 2020-04-29 09:24:33 UTC

The majority of items may be borrowed for up to 5 days, with one optional renewal (if there is availability on your items) - unless the item is recalled by Central Loans staff for any reason. If the item is recalled, you will receive a notice to your UWE Bristol email address.

We will send loan reminders by email during your loan period, so that you are aware of the return date and time of your booking. Staff and students will receive these emails on their UWE Bristol email account.

What if I can't come to Central Loans to collect or return?

nick_mcleod — 2020-04-29 09:25:34 UTC

Only students who have made a booking will be able to collect their booking. If you are unable to collect your booking, we suggest that you cancel your booking, so that another student can book the items you are unable to collect.

If you cannot return your equipment for any reason, we suggest that in the first instance ask a friend or family member to return it on your behalf or you attempt to renew the item on Connect2. If either of these options are not suitable, contact Central Loans by email or phone and make sure you speak to a Central Loans team member about your booking. Failure to confirm what is happening with your booking will lead to fines being accrued.

How many items can I loan?

nick_mcleod — 2020-04-29 09:26:45 UTC

There are no restrictions on how much can be borrowed at any one time but we do ask all students and staff to be mindful of other users needs. We have a wonderful selection of equipment in Central Loans but it is not inexhaustible.

Opening Hours

nick_mcleod — 2020-04-29 09:28:58 UTC

During term time, excluding Bank Holidays.

Contact Details

nick_mcleod — 2020-04-30 09:42:40 UTC

Desk: 01173284785

Email: centralloans@uwe.ac.uk

The Central Loans Team

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 09:37:24 UTC

Nick McLeod
Central Loans Team Leader

Where do I start?

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 09:42:51 UTC

If you have tried to log in to Connect2 but were unable to it is because you've not yet completed the Central Loans Induction.

Everybody who wants to use the Central Loans Connect2 booking site to loan equipment will need to complete and pass the Central Loans Induction.

Once you have successfully passed the Central Loans Induction, we will be notified and we will grant you access to book via the Connect2 site. Please bear in mind during busy periods (start of semesters and around holidays) it might take slightly longer to grant access. If you have any queries, please contact centralloans@uwe.ac.uk

When do I need to return my equipment?

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 09:56:49 UTC

As you are the person who is responsible for booking your equipment, you will be the one specifying the return date & time for all of your bookings.
You will receive an initial receipt of booking via email when your equipment is checked out at the Loans Desk.
You will also receive another email reminding you when you have equipment due to be returned within the coming few days.
You may receive an email from a Central Loans Team Member when we would like to discuss your return, if this can help out other students.

If you have any doubts about your ability to return an item or if you are going to be away from the university for a period of time, please discuss this with a Central Loans Team Member before check-out.

What happens if I don't return equipment on time?

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:05:28 UTC

If equipment is not returned in time, then overdue charges will apply. The overdue charges for Central Loans items are £5 per item, per day (24 hours). So, for example, if you returned four items late by two days the fine would be £40.

Once overdue items have been returned, the fine is calculated and applied to your account. You do not have to pay your fine immediately, the fine will not increase once your items have been returned, but your access to the Connect2 booking site will be limited until you do so.

To pay your fine, you will either need to pay at The Art Shop at Bower Ashton (and bring us the receipt) or pay via their online store (see the QR code above).

What is renewal?

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:06:09 UTC

Buses running late? Traffic a pain? Feeling under the weather? Well, this is where the renewal comes in.
If you feel like you can't make it in to return your equipment Connect2 has a function that can allow you to extend your booking by up to 24 hours (only if equipment if available and not already booked to someone else), this does not include weekends. To show you how this works, we've made you a video

What if I can't renew one or all of my items?

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:06:40 UTC

Sometimes one or more items won't be available to renew. In this instance, and if you really cannot make it in to return your equipment, please contact Central Loans immediately, so we can help to ensure that you don't incur a fine and to try to make sure other student's bookings are not negatively affected. If you cannot get through to us via the phone (at busy times we will prioritise the Loans Desk), please leave us an email with the details of your booking and we will respond as soon as we can.

General Loan Conditions

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:08:18 UTC

1.1. Only registered students and staff [hereafter referred to as ‘users’] from the College of CATE, UWE Bristol will be allowed access to the Central Loans equipment loan and booking system.

1.2. Each user is required to complete the Central Loans Induction. Completing this induction is the user’s agreement to abide by, the rules, regulations and terms of access laid out in this Code Of Conduct document.

1.3. Equipment availability is subject to course requirements and attendance of workshops (where appropriate).

1.4. Equipment will not be loaned to a user without the user presenting their own, current University ID card at the Central Loans Desk when prompted to do so.

1.5. Equipment will not be loaned to a user without the user completing and uploading for approval, which their tutor will co-sign, a Risk Assessment form. This form can be found on the homepage of Connect2 and we will only accept Risk Assessments submitted via the online submission system (also located on the Connect2 homepage).

1.6. The user must check all equipment upon issue at the Central Loans Desk and report any problems to the loans desk staff before leaving the area. Failure to do so may result in the user being held responsible for any damage, fault, or missing equipment, noted upon return.

1.7. The user has sole responsibility for all equipment for the duration of the booking, and should not transfer safeguarding onto any other person(s).

1.8. Equipment must be returned in the same state as when issued. Facilities must be left in the same state as when the key is issued.

1.9. Loans and use of facilities are only available only in connection with coursework or University business.

Standard Loan Period

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:08:29 UTC

2.1. All loans equipment is subject to a maximum loan period. Information on maximum loan periods can be found on the Connect2 booking page of each item.

2.2. Standard loans are available during teaching week periods only (as defined by the published term dates for each course).

Exceptional Loans and Travel Abroad

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:08:45 UTC

3.1. Under exceptional circumstances, extended loans, loans outside teaching weeks, and loans to travel with University equipment abroad, may be arranged via through agreement between Central Loans and a relevant academic tutor.

3.2. If intending to travel outside of the UK, the user must first contact the loans desk for advice about insurance and transport regulations.

3.3. Trips to the following countries (and those where the Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against travel) are not covered by University insurance; Afghanistan, Chechnya, Iraq, North Korea, Somalia. Users should check up to date travel advice from the FCO website (www.gov.uk/foreign-travel-advice) before travel.

3.4. Equipment travelling in the hold of an aircraft may not be covered by University insurance. All items should therefore be carried as hand luggage. Outside of these conditions, it is the user’s responsibility to arrange relevant insurance.

Bookings

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:09:03 UTC

4.1. Equipment must be pre-booked. Failure to collect the specified equipment within 2 hours of the agreed time of collection will result in the booking automatically being made forfeit and any and all equipment within the booking being made available to other users, effective immediately 2 hours after the specified collection time.

4.2. Facilities must be pre-booked. Failure to honour the reservation within 30 minutes of the agreed time of key collection will result in the booking automatically being made forfeit, and the space made available to other users regardless of a pre-made booking.

4.3. Failure to utilise equipment or facilities bookings may result in a fine (please refer to penalties section).

4.4. Continued failure to honour bookings may result in the loss of the privilege to make autonomous bookings.

4.5. Collections must be made by the user under whose name the booking was created.

4.6. Any and all risk assessments submitted in association with equipment or facilities bookings must be presented and signed by the user under whose name the booking was created, as well as a relevant member of academic staff.

Loss and Damage

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:09:11 UTC

5.1. Equipment is only covered by University insurance for use in relation to course or university related work.

5.2. The user is responsible for the safeguarding and proper care of the equipment for the duration of the loan. The user is responsible for any damage(s) or loss of item(s) and may be charged up to the full cost of repair or replacement.

5.3. The user must take all reasonable security precautions to ensure safekeeping of the equipment at all times (i.e. do not leave equipment unattended unless in locked rooms or premises that you are confident they will be safe and secure). Do not leave equipment in unattended vehicles, unattended on public transport or any space where theft is likely.

5.4. In the event of loss of or damage to the equipment, up to the full cost of equipment repair or replacement may be charged to users where there is evidence of contributory negligence, or where the equipment is not covered by University insurance.

5.5. In all cases of loss or damage, a loss and damage report form must be submitted to the Central Loans Team Leader via the Central Loans email address.

5.6. We regularly service our equipment, but due to heavy usage, we can't guarantee they will always be fully operational. As a student loan service focused on affordability and accessibility, we do not offer compensation for faulty equipment.

Theft

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:09:19 UTC

6.1. If the equipment is stolen the user must report this theft to the police and obtain a crime reference number for University insurance purposes.

6.2. The user must not leave equipment in unattended vehicles, unattended on public transport or any space where theft is likely.

Penalties

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:09:28 UTC

7.1. Failure to return equipment within the agreed date/time period incurs a penalty of £5.00 per item, starting from the moment the agreed booking period has ended. An additional £5 per item will be added to this sum every 24 hours after the time of the initial fine, and will continue to do so until such time as the equipment is returned, or in the event that an agreement has been reached between the user and Central Loans that the equipment will be unable to be returned.

7.2. Access to loans are suspended until outstanding fines are cleared. Continuation of late returns may ultimately result in suspension of access to some, or all, of the facilities and equipment.

7.3. Failure to return equipment when requested will be treated as theft.

7.4. Continued failure to honour bookings will result in suspension of autonomous bookings creation.

7.5. Any fines or debts should be settled with the loans desk (via The Art Shop) before the completion of your course. Failure to do so may prevent the user from being able to fully graduate.

Variation of Code Of Conduct

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:09:36 UTC

8.1. The University reserves the right to change the Central Loans Code of Conduct at any time. This will be made evident by amendments to these Terms & Conditions where held online (Connect2 & Padlet websites) & available on request, and any and all alterations will be effective immediately. For this reason, users should regularly visit the webpage containing these Terms & Conditions as the current version will be held binding.

8.2. In all instances the availability of equipment, facilities and penalties are at the discretion of the Central Loans Team Leader and the Director of Technical and Learning Resources. Failure to comply with any of the above may result in the loss of access of equipment or facilities.

Photographic Studios

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:10:31 UTC

Opening Hours

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:11:08 UTC

9am until 9pm every weekday, during term time.
Excluding Bank Holidays.

How To Use Connect2 - Making A Booking

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:30:55 UTC

https://connect2.uwe.ac.uk/central_loans

How are rooms different to equipment loans?

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:35:19 UTC

Equipment loans allow you to book equipment anywhere from 30 minutes to 5 days, with room bookings we have pre-determined timeslots for booking. In most instances these timeslots are for four hours at a time to break the day into three sessions. You may book as many studio/specialist rooms timeslots as you wish (within reason and availability) but we do ask that you only book what you need, as with equipment loans we do not have an inexhaustible supply of spaces.

I no longer need my booking, how do I cancel it?

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-04 10:37:51 UTC

Much like the renew function on Connect2, there is a cancel function too. This is useful if you have a change of plan or when you may have double-booked something. We urge everyone to cancel their bookings if they are not needed as, in most cases, other students might not be able to book what they need if your booking stays on the system.
Please check out the video above for more information about cancelling a booking.

Video Cameras

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 10:57:22 UTC

A selection of high end video cameras; ranging from DLSR & sports cameras, through to 4K cameras and up to industry standard film cameras.

Stills Cameras (digital & analogue)

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 10:57:57 UTC

We stock a wide variety of stills cameras, including; 35mm SLR's, full frame DSLR's, both analog and digital medium format cameras, as well as analog 5x4 large format cameras.

Lenses

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 10:58:42 UTC

A wide range of lenses for Nikon, Canon EF Mount, Sony E Mount, and Panasonic Micro 4/3 Mounts.

A Variety of Microphones

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 10:59:13 UTC

Microphones for all situations. Shotgun Mics, Vocal Mics, Contact Mics, Binaural Mics, Hydro Mics, High-End Production Boom Mics with Boom Poles.

Audio Recorders & Mixers

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 10:59:38 UTC

Top quality audio recording equipment, such as the Zoom H5 recorder or Tascam & Sound Devices Mixers.

Photographic Lighting Equipment

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:00:58 UTC

If you need photography lighting, we've got you covered, with on-camera speed lights and studio lighting options. All our flash lights can be used with wireless remotes or sync cables. We also have a range of reflection and diffusion accessories.

Film Lighting Equipment

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:02:33 UTC

A selection of lighting kits for all filming purposes. From 3-Point Lighting Kits to High End LED Lights to Spotlights, with various Reflectors, Flags and Stands.

Projectors

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:07:23 UTC

We have a wide range of projectors, including Pico Projectors, HD Projectors, 4K Projectors, Carousel Projectors, Overhead Projectors and Short Throw Projectors.

Projection Screens

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:09:48 UTC

We have two sizes of Projection screen:
1200cm x 90cm or 221cm x 120cm

Digital Screens

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:10:53 UTC

Ranging from 19" to 32", we have digital screens for wall mounting or free-standing. All our digital screens take USB input or can be used with an external Media player.

Speakers

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:11:47 UTC

Speakers for all room types, including Beyerdynamic MS16 Speakers for playback in small rooms and PA Speakers for larger spaces. Compatible with our projectors and digital screens.

Media Players, BluRay & DVD Players

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:12:36 UTC

If you need to play back any media, we have the devices you'll need. We stock a range of Media Players (BrightSign and Cyclone), DVD players and BluRay Players.

Graphic Tablets

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:14:01 UTC

We stock a selection of Wacom Intuos & Cintiq Graphics Tablets for all your design needs.

Hand Tools

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:15:21 UTC

We stock a range of useful hand tools which are bookable:

Spanners
Hammers
Spirit Levels
Allen Key Sets
Digital Material Detectors
Glue Guns (Glue Sold Separately)
Hand Saws
Paint Scrapers
Pliers
Screwdrivers
Caulking Guns
Tape Measures
Staple Guns

Step Ladders

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:15:57 UTC

We have several step ladders with trays, for use in particular for exhibition management.
Health & Safety training is required before you can use this item.

Drills

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:19:55 UTC

We have several cordless drills/electric screwdrivers, for use in particular for exhibition management. These do not come with masonry drill bits.
Health & Safety training is required before you can use this item.

Protective Equipment

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:22:10 UTC

We stock a range of useful protective equipment:

Hard Hats
Safety Glasses
Hi-Viz Vests
Ear Defenders

Tripods, Monopods & Gorilla Pods

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-05 11:22:51 UTC

A selection of camera tripods ranging from Gorilla Pods to Monopods & Travel Tripods up to Photographic Studio Tripods & Heavy Duty Tripods for Industry Standard Cameras.

Audio Recording Spaces

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-07 10:16:01 UTC

Video Edit Spaces

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-07 10:16:28 UTC

Including but not limited to:

Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
Avid Media Composer
DaVinci Resolve

Video Grading Rooms

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-07 10:17:09 UTC

Including:

DaVinci Resolve

Audio Dubbing Rooms

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-07 10:17:48 UTC

Including but not limited to:

Adobe Creative Cloud Suite
Avid Pro Tools

Film Studios

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-07 10:18:15 UTC

Photographic Film Scanners

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-07 10:18:27 UTC

Animation Rooms & Studios

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-07 10:19:00 UTC

Audio Edit Spaces

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-07 10:23:22 UTC

Including but not limited to:

Avid Pro Tools
Adobe Creative Cloud Suite

Risk Assessment

nick_mcleod — 2020-05-07 10:41:58 UTC

Each time you make a booking with Central Loans, you will need to make sure you have risk assessed the activity you are doing; from sitting in your room recording audio to full-scale film shoots. Therefore we require you to fill in a Risk Assessment form.
Risk Assessment forms can be filled in online and submitted via the Online Risk Assessment system, which links directly to your tutor.
Instructions on how to complete a Risk Assessment online are explained in this document:

Equipment List & Guides

nick_mcleod — 2021-10-20 11:18:24 UTC

Click here to be taken to a page that has a list of the equipment we stock at Central Loans, including guides for all the equipment to help you choose and use effectively.

centralloans2 — 2023-01-10 12:57:58 UTC

Tom Anderson
Central Loans Technical Facilitator

centralloans2 — 2023-01-17 13:38:07 UTC

Reuben Kidd
Central Loans Technical Facilitator

How To Use Connect2 - The Homepage

centralloans2 — 2023-07-20 12:19:14 UTC

https://connect2.uwe.ac.uk/central_loans

Central Loans QR Code

centralloans2 — 2023-07-20 12:59:34 UTC

This QR code will take you to a list of useful links, including our Social Media sites.

https://linktr.ee/uwecentralloans

Risk Assessment Submission Guide

centralloans2 — 2024-01-10 11:21:40 UTC