for
the Amherst campus of the University of Massachusetts
Nov.
3, 2000
|
Library expands remote access by Emily Silverman, Special to the Chronicle 
The Library now offers expanded remote access to
electronic information resources. Students, faculty, and staff who
are off-campus and not connected to the campus network may now access
databases, electronic journals, and other services requiring authentication.Most publishers require that access to electronic journals and databases be restricted to UMass community members. To enforce this requirement in the past, searches had to be initiated from a computer on the campus network (with a UMass IP address). Off-campus users could search by connecting to the Internet via the OIT modem pool. Relying on this dial-up method from outside the local calling area meant that some users had to incur substantial long distance charges. Many members of the campus community work from off-campus and travel, and they need to continue their research using Internet service providers (ISPs) such as AOL, Javanet, or AT&T Road Runner. Users of these ISPs can now log on, be authenticated, and use the Library's information resources from remote locations. According to Marilyn Hanley, Coordinator of Library Information Systems and Technology Services, "We have been working toward the goal of providing better remote access for our users. We are delighted that thousands of electronic resources, through our full-text databases, citation indexes, and electronic journals, will now be more accessible." When first selecting a database or title on the Library's Web page (www.library.umass.edu), off-campus users with an ISP other than OIT's service will be prompted for a username and password. This information is the same logon that is associated with an OIT computing account that has UMAccess services, however connecting via the OIT dial-up is not necessary. Successful logon will guarantee access to the Library's resources from anywhere in the world by way of any Internet connection. On-campus users will notice no difference. Only attempted access from off-campus (and not via OIT dial-up) will cause the logon prompt to appear. "This remote access project has been a partnership involving our own staff in Library Information Systems and Technology Services and OIT," said director of Libraries Margo Crist. "The Library would like to thank the several members of OIT—Dan Blanchard, Jake Cunningham, Dave Powicki, Chris Misra, and especially Dave Lutz—for their excellent support. Because of this shared effort, resources of the UMass Library are available to members of the UMass community wherever they are." For questions about OIT computing accounts and usernames/passwords, contact the OIT Help Desk at 5-9400 or visit the OIT Web site (www.oit.umass.edu/) and choose "Accounts" under "Quick Links." For questions about Library resources, contact the Reference Desk at 5-0150 or by e-mail (www.library.umass.edu/asklib.html). |
