EZproxy: FAQs

Q. What library databases may I access from home using EZproxy?        

A. You may access all of the library databases from home using EZproxy.

Q. How do I access licensed resources from off-campus using EZproxy?

A. The same way you do now:

OskiCat records

Melvyl records

Start your search (search box on Library Web homepage)

A-Z Databases

eJournals (UC eLinks)

Q. I tried to access the A-Z Journal list from off-campus and it is requiring me to authenticate. Why?

A. Access to UC Berkeley licensed resources requires authentication for access.  If you are not affiliated with UC Berkeley, please use the "Attempt to go to resources without login" link on the Authorization page.

Q. How do I use EZproxy?

A. If you access a licensed resources via a link found in OskiCat, or one of our licensed resource repositories, authentication should require no configuration on your part. When you select a database, EZproxy checks whether your computer or device  is on campus or off. On campus includes any device that uses the campus network.

If you are on campus, connected via AirBears2, or a computer connected to the campus network, you will bypass authentication and be sent directly to the licensed resource.

If you are off campus, you will be required to log in via CalNet or your Library/Cal 1 card number and Library PIN.

Q. What do I do if I come across a licensed resource link that has not been configured to use EZproxy?

A. You may want to use a bookmarklet. See the Instructions for browsers and mobile devices in this EZproxy Guide.

Q. Who can use EZproxy?

A. Eligibility is governed by our license agreements with the vendors of electronic resources. These typically stipulate that the Library can permit off-campus access to authorized users only.

Authorized users:

• Current UC Berkeley students, faculty, and staff.
• Continuing UC Berkeley students who, although unregistered, are in good standing and working towards a degree.
• UC Berkeley emeritus professors and retired academic and non academic staff.
• UCOP (University of California Office of the President) staff with valid UC Berkeley library cards.
• UC Extension students with valid UC Berkeley library cards (must be a California resident and apply for the card in person).
• UC Extension faculty with valid UC Berkeley library cards.
• Visiting scholars and post-doctoral fellows who are registered with the Visiting Scholars and Postdoc Affairs office.

Off-campus access via EZproxy is not available to:

• alumni
• former employees
• persons unofficially or only loosely affiliated with UC Berkeley
• associates of other University of California campuses
• those who have purchased a UC Berkeley Library Card
• the public at large

Please see our guide Freely Available Resources for Research for an introduction to some of the many free resources for research available online.

If you have questions concerning your eligibility for Library services, please contact the Privileges Desk in Doe Library (510-642-3403).

However, anyone may come into the Library and use these resources through the "Research Access" option on our public computers.

Q. What is the difference between EZproxy and VPN?

A. VPN (Virtual Private Network) allows users to access networks and services over a secure connection.  When using VPN, your off-campus computer is dynamically assigned a UCB IP address, which allows you access to UCB’s IP restricted resources.

EZproxy is a web proxy server used by libraries to give access from outside the library's computer network to restricted-access websites that authenticate users by IP address. This allows library patrons at home or elsewhere to log in through their library's EZproxy server and gain access to bibliographic databases and the like to which their library subscribes.

Q. Why do I need to be authenticated?

A. Online databases to which UC Berkeley subscribes are restricted for use by UCB students, faculty, and staff.

Access to most online resources is based on your computer's IP address. Anyone coming from a campus IP gets access, but users are refused access if they are coming from elsewhere. To provide off campus access to UCB users, EZProxy is used. EZProxy performs two primary functions.

1. Authenticates users as students, faculty or staff by requiring a login, thus ensuring compliance with vendor restrictions.
2. Allows users to route their requests through campus (with valid IP address) to the restricted online resources.

Q. I got a Cookie Error. What do I do?

A. Both EZproxy and certain databases send "cookies" when you connect to them to verify, during your session, that you are an authorized user. If your browser reports an error receiving a "cookie," it may be currently set to disallow cookies. Make sure that your browser allows third party cookies.