Troubleshooting - Home Access to Databases & eJournals

Are you having trouble accessing the Library's databases and ejournals? Some of the most common problems and quick solutions are listed below.

Databases

I can't log in to access your databases from offsite

• Your Library barcode may have expired. To check if this has happened:
  -Open the Main Catalogue
  -Click on the 'My Requests' link in the toolbar
  -Log in with your barcode and surname
  -Look for a message about half way down the page that says your barcode has expired
  -If it has expired, call 03 8664 7004.
  
  
• Check that you haven't typed an extra space after or before your barcode or surname, and try again. If your surname has a space in it (eg Johnson Smith), type your surname without the space (eg johnsonsmith).
  
  
• You may not be registered as a Victorian user, but are eligible to use this service. If this is the case, call us on 03 8664 7004 to check your registration type.
  
  
• If you have personal or corporate firewalls you may not be able to access the databases unless you temporarily unblock the relevant ports. The port numbers are 2048 to 2100.
  
  As there are many types and brands of firewalls, we are unable to provide detailed instructions on how to do this. If you need further assistance you should contact your firewall provider for advice.
  
  
• You may have this problem if you are using Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.x or 6.x. If this is the case, try using another browser such as Netscape 7.x (or later), Mozilla and Opera 7.x (or later).

I have logged in, but I still can't access the databases

• Some databases, such as Times Digital Archive, limit the number of users that can be logged in at the same time (concurrent users). If you see this type of error message, please wait and try again.
  
•  Check if your browser accepts cookies. If not, you will need to set your browser to accept cookies so that you can access the Library's databases from offsite. A cookie is used temporarily to allow you to use a range of databases in one session. Without cookies enabled you would have to login each time you use a different database.
  
  If this doesn't work, contact your Internet service Provider (ISP). Some commercial ISPs block cookies. 
  
  
• If you use Windows XP SP2, Internet Explorer 6.x or an Apple Mac you may need to install Java Runtime Environment.

eJournals

I have logged in and selected an ejournal but I can't access it from home

Only a selection of our ejournals can be accessed from home. If you do choose an ejournal that is not available from home, in most cases you will receive an error message stating this.

Ejournals contained in the following databases are not available from home:

• Columbia Granger's Poetry Database
• PsycARTICLES.

You may still be able to access the ejournal you require by trying the options listed at the bottom of this page. 

I have logged in but I can't find the ejournal I selected

Where databases or ejournals are not available from home you will normally receive an error message stating this. However, due to an unavoidable technical limitation, in a minority of cases this error message will not appear. Instead you will be permitted to log in (if you haven't already) and reach the menu page of the database that contains your selected ejournal. Once at the menu page, you will be unable to find the ejournal you are looking for - because it is not available from home it will not be listed. We apologise for any confusion this may cause.

This applies to ejournals contained in the following database collections, which are not available from home:

• Columbia Granger's Poetry Database
• PsycARTICLES.

You may still be able to access the ejournal you require by trying the options listed below.

Are there other ways to access ejournals that aren't available from home?

If you can't access an ejournal from home or you can't find your selected journal once you have logged in and proceeded to a database menu page, try the following options:

• Return to the ejournal listing - either our A-Z eBooks & eJournals list or Main Catalogue - to check if access from home is available through another database that is not on the above list. (Some of our ejournals are available through multiple sources.)
• Access the ejournal at one of the computers inside the Library building, at 328 Swanston Street Melbourne.
• Ask us for further assistance.

Use the Technical Problem Report Form to report any technical difficulties you are experiencing when attempting to access the Library's databases from home.