FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS?????

HAVING TECHNICAL PROBLEMS?

If you are experiencing technical problems accessing James White Library's electronic databases or indexes, please review the Frequently Asked Questions below:
What have you done? things look different! 

On February 5, 2001 we dispensed with the old manual proxy method of accessing the library's resources.  You no longer have to configure your web browser - what a relief!  So make sure you turn off the proxy now - go to the instructions for Configuring your web browser click on the name of your web browser and follow the instructions to turn off the proxy.

When you type in the web address of the James White Library (http://www.andrews.edu/library), you will go straight there.

You will also notice the number of online databases listed has increased and some of them now have the symbol  beside them.  This means that access to these databases is restricted to enrolled students and faculty of Andrews University.
When you try to search them, you will be asked to identify yourself.
If you have an Andrews University email account, you simply use your email account name and password, OR
If you have a proxy account name and password, use that.

You will be able to change from one licensed database to another without having to re-enter your user name and password until you close down your web browser.  The next time you open up your browser, and wish to search one of the restricted databases, you will have to identify yourself again.
 

I see this symbol  next to the names of online databses - what does it mean?

Many of the library's online databases, such as EBSCO, OCLC or Proquest are purchased from database providers under license agreements. In keeping with these agreements, James White Library may only give access to enrolled students and current faculty of the University.  If you do not fit within these categories, then you will not be able to search any databases which have the  symbol beside them. But don't worry, there are lots of other databases you can use.
 

I have my web proxy account and have configured my web browser but I am still being asked for a password when I try to access the library's databases. What am I doing wrong?

Now that we have done away with configuring your web browser, you need turn off the proxy - go to the instructions for Configuring your web browser click on the name of your web browser and follow the instructions to turn off the proxy.   When you are asked for a user name and password, type in your proxy account name and password and things should work just fine.
 

I have my web proxy account and password but I'm on a Local Area Network at work- how can I gain access to the library's databases?

Many corporate or organizational networks have a security firewall in place. If you are trying to access the proxy server from work, check with your network administrator to see if this is the case. It may be necessary to use a manual configuration for your web browser.  If so, the manual proxy address is http://webproxy.andrews.edu with port 3128.  When you use the manual proxy however, all of your traffic will go through this proxy server.  Only turn on the manual proxy when you are wishing to access the James White Library's online databases and turn it off again immediately you have finished.

I am having trouble accessing the Library's databases.  Does the web browser I use make a difference?

We have found that students using Netscape appear to encounter fewer problems than those using the America Online custom browser or Internet Explorer. Students can download Netscape Navigator for free from the Netscape web site
http://www.netscape.com/computing/download/

Netscape also offers online help at http://help.netscape.com
 

Do I need a different user name or password for each computer I use?

NO - you must use the same user name and password each time you access the Andrews University web site or the computers here will not be able to recognize you as an off-campus student.
 

I am having difficulty using the online databases - can you help?

YES - work through the Library Primer Online Library Tutorial .  Lesson #5 deals specifically with online databases and searching skills.
 

STILL HAVING PROBLEMS?

If, after reading through all these Frequently Asked Questions, you are still experiencing difficulties, please complete a Problem Report Form  or phone 616-471-6344 for assistance. Staff are available to assist you between 8 AM and 5 PM Monday through Thursday and 8 AM and 12 NOON on Friday.  At other times, please leave your message and contact information on the answering machine and your call will be returned.