Q:

Accessing the MIT Libraries' subscriptions from off campus

How do I access e-journal subscriptions and online databases from off campus?

Context

Use these techniques if you are off campus. May also be appropriate in the Stata Center (IP addresses are sometimes considered off-campus by Library proxy)
Sometimes these techniques are needed with some Library subscriptions that require extra security to access.

Answers

Using the Vera interface will route you through the Libraries' proxy server, which will allow you to access the resources by using your MIT web certificates. The Barton catalog does not always support remote, off-campus access. Other options for access:

VPN (Virtual Private Network): makes your computer appear "on-campus"
LibX: Firefox toolbar that routes pages through our proxy server (see short video tutorial)
Manually insert the proxy string into the URL

More detail

1. Can MIT alumni or non-MIT users access these subscriptions from off campus?

Only current members of the MIT community (MIT certificates required) may access these subscriptions from on or off campus. Vendors from whom we purchase these subscriptions impose license restrictions that prevent us from offering off-campus access to anyone outside the immediate MIT community. Guests may still view the pages that list our e-journals and databases, but they will not be able to access the full-text.

Alumni and non-MIT users may come to campus and access many of these subscriptions from the Libraries' public computers.

2. Can all subscriptions can be accessed from off campus?

Most subscriptions can be accessed off campus and are indicated in Vera with an icon. Our contracts with the vendors of a few subscriptions stipulate on-campus use only; these will not display the icon.

NOTE: See special page for Reaxys, a web-based interface for three chemical information databases: CrossFire Beilstein, CrossFire Gmelin, and Patent Chemistry Database (PCD).

3. How do I set up my computer to access e-subscriptions from off campus?

You must have MIT web certificates installed in your web browser, which are only available to current members of the MIT community. See Obtaining Certificates for Accessing Secure Web Services at MIT. If you use multiple web browsers, you must obtain certificates for each browser.

Further Assistance

See Common problems accessing library e-journals. You may also ask for help via our Ask Us! service (MIT only).