IDeATe Lending Collection & Office

The IDeATe Lending Office is a vital Carnegie Mellon University resource that boasts an extensive collection of high- and low-tech equipment for the support of academic and campus endeavors. Equipment in the collection comprises the following main categories: photo and video, lighting and projection, audio, computing, virtual reality, soft technologies, shop and tools, and cables and accessories. The entire inventory of the IDeATe Lending collection can either be searched on the Carnegie Mellon Libraries’ catalog or through this direct link.

Items in this collection are available for use by Carnegie Mellon University students, faculty, and staff at the main Pittsburgh campus. In order to borrow equipment, users must present a valid Carnegie Mellon ID card. Borrowing for off-campus use in or around Pittsburgh is limited to university-sanctioned events.

The IDeATe Lending Office is located in the basement of Hunt Library directly across from the elevator, in room A29. Current hours can be viewed here.

Borrowing Period

The normal borrowing period during the semester is three days, with a due time of 6 p.m. on the third day. For example, equipment borrowed anytime on a Monday would be due back that Thursday by 6 p.m. Due dates will skip over university holidays, with the next open date assigned as the date due. Please note that beginning in Fall 2026, due dates will no longer skip weekends; items borrowed on a Wednesday or Thursday are now due on the following Saturday or Sunday, respectively. 

Equipment Renewals

Beginning in Fall 2026, there will no longer be renewals for equipment borrowed from the IDeATe Lending Collection. This decision was made to allow greater access to resources for collection users.

Borrowing Responsibilities

Borrowers must present a valid Carnegie Mellon ID at the time of checking out equipment. All patrons are required to be aware of and adhere to the IDeATe Lending Collection Circulation Guidelines.