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 Connecting to the Libraries: FAQs

Library Web Pages and Electronic Resources:

Downloading Software:

Printing or Downloading Information:

Library Web Pages and Electronic Resources

How do I connect to the VCU Libraries web pages?

  1. Visit the Libraries. The URL (Universal Resource Locator) for the VCU Libraries Web pages is http://www.library.vcu.edu/. This is the home page on the library workstations. You may also connect your laptop in the libraries using the VCU wireless or Ethernet network.

  2. Visit a computer lab on campus. Most labs offer Internet access. Connect to the Libraries pages by typing http://www.library.vcu.edu/, or choose the Libraries link on the VCU home page - http://www.vcu.edu/.The only items you may not be able to use from campus computer labs are resources labelled "Cabell only", "Tompkins-McCaw only" and "Libraries only".

  3. Connect from your dorm room on campus. The residence halls are connected to the VCU Network, but to access the network you must have an Ethernet card. The Student Computer Initiative Web pages provide specifications and information about this type of connection.

  4. Connect from home using an Internet Service Provider (ISP) such as Online@VCU, America Online (AOL), Earthlink, Erols, Verizon, or Comcast. To access electronic databases and journals, all you need is your eID. VCU Libraries uses EZProxy built into the addresses of our electronic databases. When you select a resource, you will be prompted to enter your eID (see a screen shot of the login screen). More information is found on the Connect from Home page.

  5. Dial-in using a modem for text-based only access. VCU Technology Services provides instructions on how to dial-in.
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I cannot get into Lexis, FirstSearch, InfoTrac Web. Why not?

The most common reasons are: (1) you typed in an incorrect eID; OR (2) you have disabled cookies; OR (3) you are using an address that does not have EZProxy built into it. Look at this page of common error messages to help diagnose your problem.

1. If your eID does not work on our login screen (view a screen shot of the login page), first verify your eID, and then submit a Logon Problem Report.

2. We provide instructions on how to enable cookies.

3. EZProxy will get you into almost all of our resources. Use the Quick Links menu in the upper right corner of most of our Web pages, or the links to online resources on the Research tab. The links on these pages all have EZProxy built into them. More information about EZProxy is found on our Connect from Home page.

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What is my Library ID number? InfoTrac won't let me in without it.

There is no library ID number or barcode needed to access InfoTrac. Being asked for this kind of identification means you are trying to access InfoTrac using a link that does not have EZProxy built into it. Please use the Quick Links menu in the upper right corner of most VCU Libraries Web pages or the Databases A to Z List to access InfoTrac. Please let us know what page you were on when you chose the InfoTrac link so we can correct the problem.

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What is this "Thomson Gale Product Error " message when I try to get into InfoTrac?


Screen shot Gale error message
This message means you have disabled cookies on your browser, usually Firefox, Mozilla, or Netscape. InfoTrac Web requires that your browser be able to accept cookies, so if you want to access this database, you will have to enable cookies:

Firefox:
Tools | Options | Privacy | Cookies (select "Allow sites to set cookies")

Mozilla:
Edit | Preferences | Advanced | Scripts & Plugins (be sure "Create or change cookies" is checked)

Internet Explorer 6.x:
Tools | Internet Options | Privacy | (Default - move the slider to Medium) (Custom - Advanced | First-party Cookies - Accept)

Internet Explorer 5.x:
Tools | Internet Options | Security | Custom Level | (scroll to Cookies and click "enable")

Netscape:
Edit | Preferences | Advanced | (choose anything except "disable cookies")

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Hey, I followed your instructions and I STILL can't get in.

Several possibilities, and these apply to Lexis-Nexis, FirstSearch, InfoTrac Web, Cambridge Scientific Abstracts, in other words, virtually all of our electronic resources.

1. Your login failed. Perhaps you made a typographical error when you entered your eID. Try accessing your VCU email account or Blackboard. If you are successful there, please submit a Logon Problem Report form telling us what you are unable to access.

2. Maximum number of users has been exceeded. Some electronic resources have a maximum number of simultaneous connections allowed by our subscription. When the limit is reached, you will not be able to connect. Unfortunately, the system usually will not tell you this.

3. Traffic over the Internet. Most of the electronic resources we offer are maintained by the publishers and reside on computers throughout the country. During peak periods of activity, Internet connections may be painfully slow.

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What do "Cabell only", "Libraries only", and "Tompkins McCaw only" mean?

These labels apply to electronic databases provided on compact discs (CD-ROMs). Some of these databases allow multiple users, so we can network the CD-ROMs across the two campuses. Others allow for only a single user, and the disc must be picked up at a service desk in one of the libraries. The labels indicate whether the database is networked or a stand-alone:

  • Libraries only libraries: A networked resource available at the public computers in both libraries.
  • Cabell Library only Cabell: A stand-alone resource available only in Cabell Library.
  • Tompkins-McCaw Library only Tompkins-McCaw: A stand-alone resource available only in Tompkins-McCaw Library.
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Downloading Software

I want a copy of Firefox or Mozilla. Where do I get it?

Technology Services offers VCU students, faculty and staff the FireFox browser for download:

Firefox Setup (Windows and Mac)

To download Firefox, select the link listed above. You will be given a choice based upon your operating system. Select your operating system to download the installation file. Double click on the installation file, and follow the installation directions. After installation, you may delete the installation file to save disk space.

Firefox is also available for download directly from Mozilla via the Web. Firefox is about 4.9MB

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Is there other Internet software I might need?

Yes, you will probably want to download free software for viewing PDF files (portable document format). This special format allows you to view the original graphics, layout and text, just as the publisher intended. Many full-text electronic journals offer their contents only as PDF files.

You may download Adobe Acrobat Reader directly from Adobe; see instructions for downloading and installing Adobe Acrobat Reader.

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Printing or Downloading Information

I can't get this stuff to print! Why not? Or. . . .
I'm having trouble downloading information to my computer, what do I do?

These questions are very difficult to answer because there are so many variables. The problem might be with your printer or Internet connection, or it could be a problem with the source page itself.

Here are some tips for printing/downloading:

  • Look for a Print, E-Mail, and/or Download feature in the database.
  • Follow any special instructions given in the database for printing/downloading.
  • Use the Print Preview feature (File | Print Preview) on your browser to see what the page(s) will look like and to find out how many pages there are. This is especially important if you are trying to print something from the Internet.
  • Make sure there is a Download feature or that the Save As... selection is available.
  • Change the background color to White and text to Black. (Note: You cannot do this inside the VCU Libraries). Internet Explorer: Tools | Internet Options | General - Colors. Firefox: Tools | General | Fonts & Colors. Netscape/Mozilla: Edit | Preferences | Colors.
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Last Updated: May 07, 2008