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Accessing Research Databases from Home

To use the databases from home, click on the name of the database you want to use. You will be redirected to the login page. Please note, you must type in ALL fourteen digits of your Library barcode, no spaces.

Also important: you must reactivate your card with the Library each semester. If you get the message "ID number not recognized" you may not have reactivated your card.

Finally, if you have excessive fines, you will not be able to log in to the system. Please contact the Library to resolve these problems.

If you get an error message that says, "IP address not recognized," or if you get redirected to another login screen asking for username and ID, the problem is most likely the use of a firewall or security system. Please follow the directions below to solve this problem.

Norton Internet Security and Personal Firewall

Do you have Norton Internet Security, Norton Personal Firewall or Norton Antivirus on your computer at home?

Norton Internet Security may impede access to our databases. Unfortunately, many computer applications have compatibility issues with each other.

The setting that we have found that blocks access to our databases is called Browser Privacy. Browser Privacy prevents Web sites from finding out which Web site you last visited. For our log in system to work, the browser must be able to tell the log in system which Web site you last visited. When Browser Privacy is enabled, this is impossible.

If you disable this feature while you use our databases, you should not have any access problems.

Here is how to disable and enable Browser Privacy

Disabling Browser Privacy

On the left side of the Norton Internet Security window, click Privacy Control.
Click the Settings For arrow and select the account that you want to change.
Click Custom Level.
In the Customize Privacy Settings dialog box, un-check the box that says Enable Browser Privacy.

Enabling Browser Privacy

On the left side of the Norton Internet Security window, click Privacy Control.
Click the Settings For arrow and select the account that you want to change.
Click Custom Level.
In the Customize Privacy Settings dialog box, check Enable Browser Privacy.

Rest assured that our databases do not put any harmful cookies or "spyware" on your machine.

Norton Cookie Blocking Control Panel

Norton has a separate Cookie Blocking control panel. If you block the library's site even one time using your Norton software, you may not be able to access our catalog or information databases.

First follow these instructions for how to change the Cookie Blocking setting in Norton. Then click on the browser you are using, and follow the instructions to clear cookies and history before you try logging in again.

To change the Cookie Blocking setting

On the left side of the Norton Internet Security window, click Privacy Control.
Click the Settings For arrow and select the account that you want to change.
Click Custom Level.
Select None to enable all cookies. You can change the Cookie Blocking setting to High or Medium after you are finished using the Library's databases.

Cookie Blocking has three settings:
High: Blocks all cookies.
Medium: Alerts you each time a cookie is encountered.
None: Allows cookies.

Personal or Corporate Firewall

Do you have a personal or corporate firewall? Firewalls will impede access to our databases. You may need to disable your firewall to successfully log in. Most dsl and cable connections include a firewall in their package. Comcast Cable, Verizon, Time Warner Cable and AOL all include firewalls. Contact your vendor if you need instructions about how to disable the firewall. Your computer will not be put at risk by using the Library databases.

Browser Requirements

Users must have Web browsers (Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator) version 4.0 or higher. Users with an AOL browser are encouraged to use the Internet Explorer or Netscape Navigator browsers instead. Users should also make sure that Java is able to run on their computer. (Check under Internet Options or Preferences in your browser menu.)

Make sure your browser accepts cookies. In Internet Explorer this setting may be found (depending on what version you have) under Tools > Internet Options > Security > Custom Level > then scroll down and make sure the cookies option is set to "Enable." You might also see this option in Internet Explorer: Tools > Internet Options > Privacy Tab >Change the setting to Low (the settings range from Block all cookies to Accept all cookies)

In the Firefox browser, these settings are under Tools > Options > Privacy.

In Netscape Navigator this setting may be found under Edit > Preferences > Advanced > and change the setting under Cookies to say "Accept all cookies."

If you are using a Macintosh at home, use the Safari or Firefox browsers, not Internet Explorer.

If you have any questions, please feel free to contact Kristin Freda (875-4458) or Carol Van Houten (875-4456).

Special thanks to Web Librarian Jen Maney, City of Mesa Library, for the Norton instructions above.