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've installed the EZproxy bookmarklet to my browser's toolbar but I'm still not able to access licensed resources from off-campus. Why?
A. Installing the EZproxy bookmarklet to your browser's toolbar is only the first step. After you land on a licensed resource you must click on the EZproxy bookmarklet. After you click on the EZproxy bookmarklet you should see the Library's login page where you can authenticate via your CalNet or Patron PIN / Cal 1 Card.
Q. After I do a search in Melvyl I'm prompted to authenticate. Why?
Melvyl contains articles and documents from licensed journals and databases. Authentication is required to access these licensed resources. If you are a UC Berkeley student, faculty, or staff, click on your EZproxy bookmarklet to pass through to the Library's login page where you can authenticate via your CalNet or Patron PIN / Cal 1 Card. If you are not affiliated with UC Berkeley, please click on the "ENTER AS GUEST for library materials and free resources; NO LOGIN NEEDED" link on the authentication page.
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 click on the "Attempt to go to resources without login" link on the authentication 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:
Off-campus access via EZproxy is not available to:
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.
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.
Q. My Mac is running Mojave or High Sierra and I'm not able to install the EZproxy bookmarklet in my Chrome browser. What should I do?
A. You will either need to install an EZproxy browser extension in your Chrome browser or use Safari as your browser.