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Library Access Troubleshooting

Can't log in? Can't access full text? Here are tips for solving common problems using library resources.

Browser Hard Refresh

In most browsers on PC and Mac, you can perform a simple action to force a hard refresh. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click on the reload icon on your browser’s toolbar.browser refresh icon

Keyboard Commands

  1. Chrome, Firefox, or Edge for Windows: Press Ctrl+F5 (If that doesn't work, try Shift+F5 or Ctrl+Shift+R).
  2. Chrome or Firefox for Mac: Press Shift+Command+R.
  3. Safari for Mac: There is no simple keyboard shortcut to force a hard refresh.

Check the System Status directly with the database hosts:

Two Factor Authentication

BGSU uses Two Factor Authentication to access some BGSU provided software and library databases.  This means when accessing a library resource, you may be prompted to input your BGSU username and password, and then complete the DUO authentication process.  Whenever DUP authentication is necessary to access a library resource, you will be prompted with a screen that looks similar to this:

screenshot of BGSU's DUO authentication screen when option to send notification

If you are using a personal device, you can select the "Remember me for 30 days" option to avoid extra authentication for a month. 

 

For more information about setting up DUO Authentication, visit the ITS Instructions for Setting Up Duo App. 

If you are experiencing issues with your BGSU account, please contact ITS on the  ITS Website or by phone: 419.372.0999

Share Proxied Links

When sharing library resources off-campus, it is necessary that the link include some proxy information so the website knows where your access is supposed to be coming from. Proxied links contain "ezproxy" and will prompt you to log in through DUO

To proxy any link, add this to the beginning of a url:
http://ezproxy.bgsu.edu/login?url=

Unproxied link to JSTOR:
http://www.jstor.org/stable/40651623
(will not work from off campus)

Proxied link to JSTOR:
http://ezproxy.bgsu.edu/login?url=http://www.jstor.org/stable/40651623
(will work off campus)

Alternative Access Link

To find the Alternate Access Link for other databases, go to the All Databases list (on our homepage under the search box).

Find the database you want in the list and click the "more" link underneath the description to show the Alternate Access Link. 

Sometimes, a link on our website may take you to the description of a database.

If you are able to log in using an alternate access link but are unable to log in to EZProxy, a firewall in your network may be blocking EZProxy. This most frequently happens in:

  • K-12 schools
  • government buildings and offices
  • hospitals

 

If you cannot log in to EZProxy, try to find and use the alternate access link. Here are alternate access links for  EBSCO:

User Limits

Some databases require you to set up a special account to use the database or certain features. Others are limited to just a few or only one user at a time. Some of these resources include: JSTOR, Intelliconnect (CCH), SciFinder, and Naxos, among others. Use the All Databases list to check for special access notes about the resource you are trying to use.

image Naxos 20 users at a time limit message in Library Database A-Z listing

Likewise, some of our eBooks are limited to just a few or only one user at a time. You will find notes about this in the catalog, next to the url for each book.

 

Contact us!
We are here to help. If you are having problems accessing library resources, you may always contact the Information Desk.

Report a problem