Research Tools > How to Connect

Access to the library online catalog and most of the library Web pages is available from any computer with an Internet connection. Links to electronic resources in the catalog will indicate if access is restricted:

License agreements restrict access to electronic resources such as journal article databases, eBooks, and eJournals. Access is available from computers on ETSU campus networks (wired or wireless) and is available from off-campus (i.e., from home, business, or campus housing) to current ETSU students, faculty, and staff.

Current ETSU Students, Faculty and Staff

If you are off campus and connecting through a commercial Internet Service Provider (e.g., Charter or Comcast cable, DSL, wireless broadband) you can get access to library resources in either of two ways:

1. Proxy Server

   The proxy server acts as an intermediary between your computer and library licensed electronic resources so that requests from your computer appear to be coming from the campus network. The proxy server will prompt you to login with your ETSU user name and password:

   

   and connect you to the resource if authentication succeeds.

   Links to licensed resources on the library Web site include the proxy server prefix so that they work from on or off campus:

   

2. Virtual Private Network (VPN) ETSU Faculty and Staff Only
   With VPN you establish a secure connection to the ETSU campus network and can also connect to your office computer from home. VPN access must be requested from the ETSU Office of Information Technology (OIT) using the Network Security Request Form.

Not An ETSU Employee or Student?

Due to license restrictions, off-campus access is not available to:

• alumni
• former or retired employees
• former students (not currently enrolled)
• purchasers of Sherrod Library Online or Library Associate cards
• associates of other UT/TBR campuses
• the general public

Help with Off Campus Access

Problems with off-campus access are most often due to authentication, browser configuration, workplace firewalls, or incorrect links:

To activate your ETSU domain/e-mail account or to reset your password:

https://etsuis.etsu.edu/accountactivation/AccountActivation.aspx

To get help with your ETSU computer account:

contact the OIT Help Desk.

To get help with any other access issue, contact:

Sherrod Library Reference

Toll-Free: 1-866-542-3878 (1-866-LIB-ETSU)

Local: (423) 439-4307

eMail: refdesk@etsu.edu