Eli M. Oboler Library
Remote User Access and Additional Information About Database Login
Remote User Access | Additional Information About Database Login
Remote User Access
The Eli M. Oboler Library web site and Library Catalog are freely available over the web. Access to databases that show "Unrestricted" are available from anywhere and by anyone. However, access to some online databases and electronic journals licensed by the Idaho State University Library are available only for certain users affiliated with ISU:
- Distance Education Students (enrolled in distance or off campus programs), can access the licensed databases by using computers at Idaho State University-Boise, Idaho State University-Twin Falls or at Idaho State University-Idaho Falls Computer Labs or Library. If you are using a commercial or private Internet Service Providers, follow the instructions below.
- Students, Faculty and Staff who access the Internet via a commercial or private Internet Service Provider (e.g. AOL, Microserv, Qwest, All Idaho) can access databases that show access restrictions as "On & Off Campus" via a proxy server service supported by the Oboler Library.
If a private Internet Service Provider (ISP) is used to connect to the Internet, you will need to "Log in" before you can access a restricted database. When prompted for a username and password, use the username and password given to you to use for your ISU email account login. All students have been assigned a free ISU email account, which is different than an ISU Computer Account. The ISU Computer Account is purchased through the Computer Center each semester and provides access to kiosks, laptops, or computer labs on campus.
If you are a student and are having problems logging in, you can check your username and password
- Go to "MyISU Portal"
- Log in, using your Bengal Card number (or Social Security Number) and PIN. Your original PIN is your month and year of birth, example 0165 for a birthday of January, 1965.
- Click on "Computer Account Information" in "My Accounts"; this will allow you to see what your ISU email username is and your original ISU email password.
- If the username and password shown in "Computer Account Information" do not work for accessing your ISU email account you will need to contact the ISU Help Desk. You can visit their web page at http://help.isu.edu/ or phone (208) 282-4585 to talk to help desk staff about your ISU email account and "resetting your password".
If you are faculty or staff, you can check your username and password
- Go to "Faculty/Staff Tools"
- Log in. Your username and password for Faculty/Staff Tools is the same as your ISU email username and password.
- If you cannot log in to Faculty/Staff Tools, you will need to contact the ISU Help Desk. You can visit their web page at http://help.isu.edu/ or phone (208) 282-4585 to talk to help desk staff about your ISU email account and "resetting your password".
Changing password information
You can change your password to something you can easily remember; however notice that it must have at least two (2) numbers and two (2) letters, and the total number of digits must be eight (8). A word of caution about changing your password and then trying to use it immediately: sometimes changes take a day or two to clear the system, and since your old password will have been deleted, neither one will work for a period of time. Make sure that if you change your password, you wait at least a day before trying to access any databases or your email. For additional help or if you have forgotten your password, contact the Computer Center Help Desk at (208) 282-4585.
Database Access Restrictions
On the chart that lists the databases, the accessibility information is included in the far right column. Clicking on the accessibility information will show an explanation of any special access restrictions. For most databases, the "login" screen appears immediately after clicking the name of a database. This is the place where you must enter your email username and password. Following are descriptions of what the access restrictions mean:
On & Off CampusFor distance access, you must be affiliated with ISU as faculty, staff or student. If you are using a private Internet Service Provider (ISP) to connect to the Internet you will need to "Log in" to the database before you can access it. When prompted for a username and password, supply the username and password you use for your ISU email account.
SpecialAccess to these databases varies. Information about access restrictions is included in the database description.
UnrestrictedAvailable to anyone over the Internet.
Additional Information About Database Login
Using an independent Internet Service Provider (ISP)
When using an independent Internet Service Provider (ISP) to gain access to the Internet, you can only access the databases with access restrictions identified as "On & Off Campus" and "Unrestricted".
- If you are using an independent ISP, log in to your ISP as you normally would.
- When you click on a link to a restricted database, you are prompted to log in to verify that you are affiliated with ISU.
- The username and password to access the databases are the same as your ISU email account username and password (exactly as you would sign in to send and receive email on your ISU email account). You can test your email login by going to http://webmail.isu.edu.
- If you have no ISU email account you will only have access to the databases with access restrictions identified as "Unrestricted" when accessing the Internet from home.
- All ISU students are assigned a free ISU email account.
- Faculty and staff are not automatically assigned an ISU email account. A faculty or staff account must be requested, either directly from the Computer Center or through your department.
- If prompted for a username and password when accessing a database, supply the username and password of your ISU email account. Do not include the @isu.edu in your username; the password is case sensitive.
Cookies Whichever browser you use (Firefox, Netscape, Internet Explorer, Safari or other), the browser must be set to accept cookies.
How to change cookie settings in Internet Explorer 6
How to change cookie settings in Netscape 7.x
Java, JavaScript Whichever browser you use (Firefox, Netscape, Internet Explorer, Safari or other), Java and JavaScript must be enabled.
Firewall If you have a firewall enabled, you may experience problems accessing some databases. Contact Systems at the Library if you encounter problems.
Weekly Maintenance Idaho State University IT staff perform weekly maintenance between 9:00 PM Friday and 9:00 AM Saturday. If you experience problems logging in during this time, it may be due to servers and/or services being unavailable during the campus "maintenance window".
You can find additional information about your email account at ISU Email Account, the ISU Help Desk or you can contact the Help Desk directly at (208) 282-4585 concerning your ISU email account.
Contact Systems at the Library if you still aren't able to login to a database or electronic journals, or if you encounter additional problems.