Database Help: How to access the databases

Contents

• How can I get access to the library's databases?
• How can I get Internet access?
• What is a proxy server?
• Passwords

How can I get access to the library's databases?

Open your web browser and go to the library's homepage:

http://www.tamu-commerce.edu/library/

When you click on the link Library Databases, you will see the full list of Internet-accessible databases available from your home or office.

Additional databases are available from the computers in the library's Reference Department. Some of these (such as SciFinder, the chemistry database) are also available anywhere on campus, but require special software to be installed on your computer. Call the library reference department (886-5720) for more information on these databases.

If you do not use the university as your Internet Service Provider, you must use the proxy server to access the library's databases from off-campus.

How can I get Internet access?

Internet access via your home phone line is available free from the university CTIS department to students, staff, and faculty. To use the university as your Internet Service Provider (ISP), take two 3½-inch High Density floppy disks to CTIS (Business Administration building, room 156) and fill out an application for a "TACACS" account. Install their software on your home computer, and you'll be ready to access the Internet. Expect a 28-48 hour turn-around time.

If you do not use the university as your Internet Service Provider, you must use the proxy server to access the library's databases from off-campus.

What is a Proxy Server?

A proxy server reroutes an Internet connection to allow students, faculty, and staff not using the university as their Internet provider to access databases. When you use the proxy server, your Internet connection will be rerouted through the university, and thus will be recognized by the database provider as coming from the Texas A&M University-Commerce internet domain (on-campus). An active proxy setting tells the database provider that you're a valid user. You only want to enable the proxy server when you need to access the databases, and not for other internet use. It's just a setting residing in your Internet browser's (Netscape or Internet Explorer) preferences pull down menus.

Instructions for using the proxy server are provided from the Library Databases web page (follow the first link, "How to access Library Databases from off-campus"). Instructions for various browsers are given, showing how to turn the proxy setting on and off.

Passwords

Under our licensing agreements, we can only provide off-campus access to the library databases for A&M-Commerce students, staff, and faculty.