Off Campus Library Services Home Page

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!

We have dispensed with the old manual proxy method of accessing the library's resources for all but a few selected databases. You no longer have to configure your web browser to conduct general searching - 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 to the library's home page.

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 do not have an Andrews University email account, you will need to apply for an Andrews University Username and password. This will act as your identification in exactly the same way as an Andrews University email account name and password.

You will be able to move from one licensed database to another without having to re-enter your username 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.

You said you'd dispensed with the old manual proxy method for all but a few selected databases - which ones are they and what do I have to do to search them?

If you are trying to access any of the following databases you must go back and configure your web browser to use the
Andrews University web proxy. These databases do not work with the auto proxy method which we have just installed.

    Anthropological Literature (RLG) 1984-
    Avery Index to Architectural Periodicals (RLG)
    Christian Periodical Index
    HealthStar
    Iter - Gateway to the Middle Ages and Renaissance
    Lexis-Nexis
    MLA Bibliography [Not the OCLC one. It is okay]
    NASW Clinical Register
    Social Work Abstracts

If you have any problems, consult the Frequently Asked Questions page or contact us via the Problem Report Form.

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

Many of the library's online databases, such as EBSCO, OCLC, Proquest and others, are purchased from database vendors under license agreements or contracts. In keeping with these agreements, James White Library may only give access to enrolled students and current faculty of the University. When you try to search them, you will be asked to identify yourself.

If you have an Andrews University email account, you simply type in your email account name and password. You will be able to move from one licensed database to another without having to re-enter your username 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.

If you have do not have an Andrews University email account, you need to apply for an Andrews University Username and password. Every time you see the symbol next to the name of a database you wish to search, and are asked to identify yourself, simply type in your username and password. You will be able to move from one licensed database to another without having to re-enter your username 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 am not an enrolled student or a faculty member and I would like to use the resources of James White Library - can I?

No and Yes! Databases which have the symbol beside them are restricted by law to the students and faculty of Andrews University so we are unable to give you access to those, however, there are many resources listed on the James White Library's web site which are freely available - they comprise web sites, free databases, church related resources and even our library catalog. Hopefully you will find something there which will help with your information needs.

I have a web proxy account and now you're talking about email accounts and usernames and passwords - how does my web proxy account fit in with this?

The Web Proxy Accounts were the old way of accessing the James White Library and the licensed databases. We have since upgraded our access methods and it is now much easier . Return to the Remote Access page , click on the category of students or faculty that applies to you and follow the instructions.

I am on a Local Area Network at work- how can I gain access to the library's databases?

In exactly the same way as if you were dialling in through an ISP from home. However, we do have some databases which still require use of the old web proxy system. They are:

If you need to search these databases from a LAN, check with your network administrator to see if you have a security firewall in place. 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 those online databases listed above, and turn it off again immediately you have finished.

I am using a DSL connection - how can I gain access to the library's databases?

In exactly the same way as if you were dialling in through an ISP from home. However, we do have some databases which still require use of the old web proxy system. If you are needing to search any of the following databases:

And are using a DSL connection with Internet Explorer 5 (IE5), then simply follow the instructions to configure your web browser for IE5. Scroll down to Using Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x From a Local Area Network Connection and you will see that the same procedure applies for a DSL connection as for a LAN.

I am using a Cable Modem connection - how can I gain access to the library's databases?

And are using a Cable Modem connection with Internet Explorer 5 (IE5), then simply follow the instructions to configure your web browser for IE5. Scroll down to Using Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x From a Local Area Network Connection and you will see that the same procedure applies for a Cable Modem connection as for a LAN.

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

NO - you must use the same username 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 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

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.

Revised May 16, 2001
Marilyn Gane, Coordinator for Off-Campus Library Services
James White Library, Andrews University, Berrien Springs, MI 49104