Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapters

It seems that out of nowhere, every student at the University of Delaware wants a Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter to connect their newer MacBooks to a projector. Unfortunately, we only have eight of these popular adapters, making for some long faces as students walk away from the desk empty-handed. Here are some tips for when this problem arises:

1. If the student says that they needed the adapter for their next class, ask if the class will be over in the next four hours. If so, I recommend checking them out a Dell laptop. These laptops have VGA built-in, so the class' projector will plug right in. 

2. If a student calls and asks to put the next available adapter on hold, let them know that we do not do holds for anyone or on any items. The best thing to do in this situation is to direct them on how to check the availability online. This is how I usually go about showing them through DELCAT: 

• Type in www.udel.edu in their address bar
• Click 'LIBRARIES' (fifth tab from the left)
• Scroll down and click on 'DELCAT' 
• In the top right hand corner of this screen they should see 'Search by Collection' (click)
• Click the second to last tab on the bottom that reads 'Student Multimedia Design Center Equipment'
• In the BROWSE section (second gray section), type 'adapter' in the appropriate box. Hit 'browse'
• Click the 'NEXT' button on the right (yellow button). There are two, it doesn't matter which one is hit
• Six spots down you should see and click 'Cable, Mini DisplayPort to VGA adapter' 
• Click 'All items and circulation status.' located next to 'Holdings'
• If you scroll to the bottom, you can see the due date for these adapters. It will either read 'On Shelf' or the date in which the item is due back. 

It's very important to let the student know that although the item is due back on that date, a half-hour before we close, it could be returned and checked out at any time. So, it would be wise for them to check DELCAT more than once. 

3. If worst comes to worst, the Mini DisplayPort to VGA Adapters can be bought at the University of Delaware bookstore (Barnes & Noble) for $29. I've seen them for as low at $9.99 online, but the quickest way to obtain one would be the bookstore. 

Not having anymore of these adapters is the number one problem I run into while working. Although this is how I usually try to help, I'm sure there are other ways! How do you all go about the situation?