Database Help Page

Access to the Databases

Licensing agreements for these databases require that the New York State Library limit access to:

• current employees of the State Library,
• our registered borrowers, and
• onsite researchers.

We use a process called "IP authentication" to restrict access to eligible users. This means that users must access these databases either from onsite, using the Library's computers, or remotely, through the Library's proxy server. The proxy server authenticates a user ID and password (in this case, a State Library borrower's number and PIN) and, if the user ID and password provided are valid, connects the borrower to the appropriate database provider(s).

Problems and Troubleshooting

We subscribe to many databases, from a variety of different vendors. We try to keep up with any changes made, but at times you may have trouble accessing some databases.

We list any known problems with specific databases below, followed by some general areas to consider when troubleshooting. If you encounter a problem not described here, please let us know about it by completing our brief online form. Please include any error messages you may have received.

Database-Specific Problems or Information

EBSCOhost: Effective January 2005: Minimum browser requirements for EBSCOhost will be Netscape 7.x, Firefox 1.0 , and Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5. The minimum requirements for Macintosh users will be Safari 1.2x or Netscape 7x or Firefox 1.0.

Users with earlier versions of these browsers can use "EBSCOhost Web Text Only" on the EBSCOhost site. The minimum browser requirements for "EBSCOhost Web Text Only" will not change on January 1, 2005. They will remain as follows:

• Netscape 4.0
• Microsoft Internet Explorer 4.0
• Lynx 2.8 or higher

General Troubleshooting

To use these databases, you must:

• be a resident of New York State and have a library borrower's card issued by the New York State Library, with a card number that begins with "R";
  (Do you have a NYSL Borrower's Card number that begins with "P"? Access the databases here. )
• know your card number (it's on the back of your borrower's card) and PIN;

If you meet these criteria, but have been unable to access our remote databases, here are some possible problems:

Last modified on December 28, 2004/kd
URL: http://www.nysl.nysed.gov/gate/dbhelpres.htm