Off-Campus Access to Databases and E-Journals FAQ

Milner Library provide access to hundreds of databases, electronic journals, and e-books. The publishers of many of these materials require that we limit access to current members of ISU's staff, student body, and faculty.

Below are some of the common problems (and solutions!) people have encountered when attempting to log in to some of the databases and article indexes subscribed to by Milner Library. If you do not find your problem listed here, please contact us at web@milton.mlb.ilstu.edu and we will give your situation prompt attention.

I do not know what my ULID is and/or I have never activated it.
Every student, faculty, and staff member of Illinois State University is issued a ULID for email, web page space, and other functions. For more information on ULIDs (including how to activate one), see http://www.ilstu.edu/helpdesk/infodesk/ulid/ulidaccount.shtml.

I have forgotten my password.
ULIDs and their passwords are governed by ISU CISS; most likely it will need to be reset if you have forgotten it. For information on how to reset/change your password, see http://www.ilstu.edu/helpdesk/infodesk/policy/passwordreset.shtml.

I just activated my ULID and I still can't get in.
It takes at least 10 minutes for your login data to be validated on the ISU system; if it is less than 30 minutes since you activated your account wait and try again a little later.

I activated my ULID and have been using other campus services, but cannot use the library's proxy server.
If you have not changed your password in the last 60 days, some but not all of your ULID functions will be locked, including use of the Milner Library proxy server. For more information on password updates, including information on how to change your password, see http://www.ilstu.edu/helpdesk/infodesk/policy/passwordreset.shtml.

I am entering my UID/Library Borrower ID number and it doesn't work.
To use the library commercial database services, you need to enter your ISU ULID, not your UID/Library Borrower ID number. If you do not have a ULID or have not activated one, see http://www.ilstu.edu/helpdesk/infodesk/ulid/ulidaccount.shtml.

I can consistently get into some databases but others, after my ULID and password are authenticated, do not work.
Different database/index providers may require different settings on your web browser. Please check to make sure that you have cookies turned on, Java is enabled, and Java Script is enabled. If you are not using the ISU iTools software, contact your Internet Service Provider (ISP) for information on configuring your web browser. If you are using the ISU iTools software package, contact the ISU help desk at 438-HELP and/or see their web site at http://www.ilstu.edu/helpdesk/index.shtml.

I have tried all of the above and can get authenticated through the library proxy server, but the database/index system still says that I am not an authorized user or comes up with a login screen.
Some Internet Service Providers (ISPs) utilize firewalls that are incompatible with proxy servers. In this instance there is little that can be done except to attempt special arrangement with your ISP. Contact them for additional information.

I cannot use any of the databases with my internet account.
Not all databases are not compatible with all Internet Service Providers.