Distance Learning Resources

When to Use: Ideal method for longer research sessions lasting up to 4 hours. You can login to the VPN, or install a client on your device. (If you are a UC faculty, staff, or currently enrolled student, Secure Access via the VPN is recommended when accessing UC resources from off campus).

How to Connect: There are two different methods for utilizing the VPN

1. UC Online Access-Login
   • UC VPN  (click the button above, or this link)
2. VPN Software Installation for Access
   Setup instructions for downloading and installing the VPN software (we've had reports that the manual installation instructions are more reliable, especially for Macs.):
   • Android
   • iPad, iPhone, iPod
   • Mac OS
3. Once installed, you start the SSL VPN client from your computer/device and then launch your browser and begin your research.
    

When to Use: Ideal for research sessions that require quick and easy access. 

How to Connect: Click on the Library Off Campus Access (Proxy) Button to login with yourUC ID username and password (6+2 - same as Blackboard). Once you login, you'll be returned to the main Library homepage and can begin your research.

Get Help

• Email: HelpDesk@uc.edu
• Phone: 513-556-4357
• Toll Free: 866-397-3382

For off-campus access login, accessing your library record, and Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad) request form you will need to enter your username and password. If you forgot your username use the Get My Username page. If you forgot your password use Password Self Service.

The troubleshooting tips below will assist you with some of the scenarios that can arise upon your first time accessing UC Library resources from off campus.

Common Problems With Library Off Campus Access (Proxy)

BROWSER

• Minimum browser requirements: please use current versions of Microsoft's Internet Explorer , Mozilla's Firefox, Google's Chrome, or Apple's Safari. Some students have found that problems with one browser are not present with another browser.

BROWSER SETTINGS

• Cookies: Set your browser to accept cookies. Check your browser's Help file for instructions on how to modify your settings.
• JavaScript: Set your browser to enable JavaScript.
• Pop Up Blockers: Turn off.
• After reconfiguring your computer, you may need to clear the cache (delete cookies), history, and temporary files.

SECURITY CERTIFICATE WARNINGS

When trying to access certain databases or online tools (Academic Search Complete, RefWorks, etc.) off-campus, your web browser may display one of the Security Certificate warnings shown below. This problem is caused by a discrepancy between the University's authentication system and the database's security system.

If you encounter one of the errors messages below, please do the following.

• Click "Continue to this website" for Internet Explorer

• Click "Add an Exception" for Firefox

• Click "Advanced" and then "Proceed to proxy.libraries.uc.edu" for Chrome

• "Continue" for Safari

You can also download certificates for IE and Firefox. Please see instructions in the box below.

MORE TROUBLESHOOTING TIPS

• "Maximum users exceeded." A few of our databases only allow a limited number of simultaneous users at one time. If you get a message stating this and are blocked from access, wait a few minutes and try again.
• Do NOT bookmark or set favorites for internal database pages, such as search results or specific articles, they will not work.
• Call waiting may interfere with your connectivity when using your telephone service. You will need to disable call waiting or it may disconnect you from the database when a call comes in.

CONTACT THE LIBRARIES FOR HELP

If you continue to have problems accessing any of the library's electronic resources, contact us. Please be as SPECIFIC as possible when reporting problems by email.

• Which database were you trying to use?
• What browser are you using? (example, Internet Explorer 5.5)
• Was there an error message? What did it say?
• What kind of operating system are you using? (example, Windows 7, Mac)
• Did you follow any of the above recommendations to solve the problem?

(The content of this box is modified from http://www.hpu.edu/Libraries_HPU/Webpages/Cant_Connect_Library_Databases_Help_Page.html.
Security Ceriticate Warnings tips are reproduced from http://libguides.ccsu.edu/content.php?pid=58547&sid=590878)

If you are experiencing a certificate error, you can download the two most common certificates for Internet Explorer and Firefox.

To import these certificates to Firefox

1. Extract the files from the .zip file to your desktop.
2. Launch Firefox.
3. Open the Tools menu and select Options.
4. Select the Advanced icon followed by the Encryption tab.
5. View Certificates.
6. Under the Authorities tab, click Import.
7. Navigate to the unzipped files.
8. Select one file, click Open, then OK.

Repeat steps 3 through 8 for the remaining file.

To import these certificates to Internet Explorer

1. Extract the files from the .zip file to your desktop.
2. Launch Internet Explorer.
3. Open the File menu and select Open.
4. Click Browse and navigate to the unzipped files.
5. Select one file, click Open, then OK.

Repeat steps 3 through 5 for the remaining file.

(Taken from http://www.it.northwestern.edu/auth-svcs/passport/passport_qr.html#205)