{"id":16994,"date":"2020-10-02T14:18:00","date_gmt":"2020-10-02T13:18:00","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/library\/?p=16994"},"modified":"2024-07-19T10:14:27","modified_gmt":"2024-07-19T09:14:27","slug":"top-10-tips-for-accessing-online-library-resources-from-home","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/blogs.canterbury.ac.uk\/library\/top-10-tips-for-accessing-online-library-resources-from-home\/","title":{"rendered":"Top 10 tips for accessing online Library resources from home"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Have you ever reached the above screen when trying to access an online journal article and thought “well… what do I do now<\/em>?” Then hopefully this is the blog for you… I’ve put together my top ten tips on accessing Library resources off campus; from troubleshooting browser issues to finding the right links to click on, this guide will take you through some of the common pitfalls and perils and help you access the resources you need when you’re off campus. If you\u2019ve not had much experience with LibrarySearch, you might want to read our top ten tips on getting started<\/a> <\/strong>first.<\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n

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(1) Log in<\/strong> \u2013 It might sound obvious, but before<\/strong> you start searching, log in<\/strong> to your account. It will make moving across the different online databases much easier.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(2) Use Google Chrome <\/strong>\u2013 If you\u2019re working on a PC, the recommended browser is Google Chrome. Some online resources are not compatible with other browsers, you might experience some issues with older browsers like Microsoft Internet Explorer.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(3) Using a smartphone?<\/strong> \u2013 We have a guide on how to make the best use of your Smartphone for Research. https:\/\/view.genial.ly\/5d8b86641280a80f49abc9ad\/presentation-using-your-smartphone-for-research-copy<\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(4)<\/strong> Quickly access resources from the results screen<\/strong> – After you\u2019ve carried out a search you can click on the view content<\/strong> button on the results screen to access a journal article. You\u2019ll sometimes be taken straight to the resource, others will provide the \u201cFull Text Finder Results\u201d window. Look out for the LibKey Instant PDF link for quick access to the resource you\u2019re after. Click on the \u201cLink to CCCU ebook<\/em><\/strong>\u201d to access most ebooks.<\/p>\n\n\n

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\"The<\/a>
Click on the View Content button to access online journal articles<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Click on the Link to CCCU e-book to access the e-books<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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Look out for OpenAthens and Institutional login links if you\u2019re not signed in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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(5) Look for OpenAthens or Institutional Login links<\/strong> – If you are unable to access online resources off-campus, you should be aware that some databases may require you to click on the OpenAthens login or an Institutional login link. Check out our OpenAthens blog<\/strong><\/a> for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Look out for OpenAthens and Institutional login links if you\u2019re not signed in.<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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(6) Find Your Organisation<\/strong> \u2013 This might be the point where I see most people get stuck accessing resources. On the OpenAthens screen, don\u2019t try and use your CCCU University username and password. You need to search for \u201cCanterbury Christ Church University<\/em>\u201d in the Find Your Organisation<\/em> box. This will allow you to log in via your CCCU username and password.<\/p>\n\n\n

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Use the Find your organisation side of the OpenAthens box<\/figcaption><\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n
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(7)<\/strong> Individual databases can have their own rules<\/strong> \u2013 With so many databases from so many different vendors, there are plenty of little differences that can become barriers to accessing resources especially when working from home. We have laid out the additional steps you might need to take for most of the major databases in our off-campus access guide. You can find it here:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Accessing online resources and journal articles off-campus – Canterbury Christ Church University<\/strong><\/a><\/a><\/p>\n\n\n\n

We also hold individual database guides, click on Find Databases and look out for the red guide buttons or look at our A-Z listing<\/strong><\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(8) Ensure you can access .PDF files<\/strong>. For PC users, most e-resources are downloaded as .pdf files, viewable using Adobe Acrobat Reader. It is worth making sure that you have the latest version of this software which is available free from Adobe http:\/\/get.adobe.com\/uk\/reader\/<\/strong><\/a>.

For Mac users, please ensure that the default .pdf viewing software on your Mac is set to Adobe Acrobat Reader and not to Preview (the default .pdf viewer which comes with all new Macs).<\/p>\n\n\n\n

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(9)<\/strong> Browser troubleshooting \u2013 <\/strong>If you\u2019re experiencing error messages or the browser isn\u2019t responding try the following steps: <\/p>\n\n\n\n