I am finding it nearly impossible to find the login page for the off campus access to the libraries. I keep getting information on HOW to connect, but it never shows WHERE to go to connect. It would be nice if in the "Connect from Home" page there would be a link to actually connect. I have been looking around the library website for about 15 minutes now and can still not find the site to login!
From: Melissa

Tompkins-McCaw Library Reference Librarian Barbara Wright replies...

Dear Melissa,

We're sorry for any confusion. VCU Libraries provides anyone remote access to some resources, such as its catalog and some government databases, which do not require a special login. However, many resources - online databases, books, and journals - have licenses that restrict their use to VCU students, faculty, and staff. These resources require the special VCU login.

So...how do you know which resources require the VCU login?

Actually, you don't have to know - the VCU Libraries' web site is set up so that if you are off-campus and try to access a VCU-restricted resource, you will automatically be prompted for your remote login. The VCU Libraries remote login page will appear, and you will be prompted to login with your username and password. Your username is the last 10 digits of your VCU Card, and your password is the last 4 digits of your SSN.

You only have to do this once per session. When you log off your current online session, the system forgets your user name and password, so the authentication box will appear again when you reconnect and try to connect to a library resource.

As an example, go to the VCU Libraries home page (http://www.library.vcu.edu). Click on the VCU Libraries QuickLinks menu in the upper right corner, and select "InfoTrac OneFile." Then click "Go." You should be prompted for the EZProxy remote login, and once you have signed in you should be able to get to all of our resources.

Hope this helps with the confusion!