Frequently Asked Questions

This page aims to cover some of the most common questions people have regarding services at New Adelphi.

Bookings

There are a number of Stores in New Adelphi which provide equipment to students and staff in the School of Arts & Media. They use the New Adelphi Booking System to manage reservations, collections and returns.

Some studio facilities can also be booked through the system; currently the Photography Studios and Recording Studios.

"How do I get access to the booking system?"

• Visit the New Adelphi Booking System website and you will see a 'Register' link in the top-right corner. You will need your University email address (either @salford.ac.uk or @edu.salford.ac.uk) to be able to sign up for an account.
• For more detailed instructions, follow the steps in the How To Register guide.

"How do I make a booking?"

• We use an online booking system to allow students and staff to see what is available and make reservations without having to visit the building. You are still very welcome to make bookings in person and collect equipment without making a reservation, but booking in advance will ensure you get the items you need without queuing just to reserve kit. The booking system will keep you up to date through email, so you'll know what you've booked, when you should be collecting it and when to bring it back.

"I've signed up to the booking system, but there's nothing I can book!"

• You're probably seeing a message which asks you to contact the technical staff for your subject area. If you haven't yet completed an induction for your course, you won't be able to make bookings. This is to make sure that you know how to use the equipment or studios properly and safely. If you created your account after completing your induction, it may be that the technicians have already applied roles to accounts, but couldn't set yours up because it hadn't been created in time. Let the technical staff for your programme know and they will be able to check their records and update your account.

"I've tried to create an account on the booking system, but it's not working."

• Make sure that you are using your University email address ending in @salford.ac.uk or @edu.salford.ac.uk. You need to click the link in the confirmation email, in the same way as you would signing up for many other online services. You cannot use a personal email address to sign up to the booking system.

"What can I borrow?"

• You can borrow any equipment which is displayed to you once you're logged in! The catalogue you see varies depending on the inductions you have completed and which course you are taking, but we have made as much equipment available to as many people as possible; only particularly expensive, dangerous, limited or course-specific items are reserved. If you know of something we have which you would like to borrow, but you currently don't have access to, get in touch with the technical staff for your programme who will be able to advise. It may be possible to take an extra induction session with a technician from another area, after which you could be given access to the equipment you're interested in. By opening up as much equipment as we can to all courses, we hope you'll be able make the most of your time with us.

"How long can I borrow equipment for?"

This varies depending on which Store you are using and what equipment you are taking.

Equipment Store

• The standard booking length is 3 days.
• If you need equipment for longer than this it can be arranged, but may need approval from the technical team supporting your course. Please ask at the Equipment Store.
• If you have a live booking and need to extend it, please contact the Equipment Store by email or telephone. If the equipment is available, your booking may be renewed.
• Please remember that renewals are not guaranteed; when you make a booking, you are making an agreement to bring the equipment back on the end date you specify at that time.
• You will be fined if equipment is not returned on time. There are additional fines for the late return of laptops.
• It is useful to remember that weekends, bank holidays and closure days do not count towards the 3 day booking length. This means that if your booking ran from 10am on Wednesday, because you would not be able to return anything on Saturday, your booking would roll over until 10am on the following Monday.

• For other areas, please check the 'How long can I book for?' drop-down shown on the right-hand side of the 'Select Time' calendar screen.

"Can I request an extended booking?"

• Yes, you can, but you will need to discuss this with the technical staff for your area. We need to ensure the system gives a fair opportunity to everyone and extended bookings may unduly impact others, so they cannot be guaranteed. If an extended booking is granted, it cannot be renewed remotely. You must return all equipment by the agreed date and time. Extended bookings cannot be granted by staff in the Equipment Store; please see the technicians supporting your programme of study.

"Do I have to use the online booking system?"

• Yes. The vast majority of equipment reservations are organised through the booking system, so you will need an account and to accept the booking service terms and conditions before being allowed to make use of those resources. It should be noted that access to equipment is not guaranteed as part of your degree course; if you fundamentally disagree with the terms of the service, you may wish to consider the rental services offered by companies such as Big Fish or Calumet Photographic.

"Can I bring equipment back early?"

• Absolutely!