University Library

Accessing Electronic Resources Off Campus

 

How do I access e-resources off campus?

When you access library resources from off campus you will be required to login by being prompted to either:

Enter your CFS username and password

OR

Use the Institutional login then your CFS username and password

OR

Use individual resource passwords

 

What is a Central Computing Service (CFS) username and password?

In order to use our electronic resources and ensure that you receive your email correspondence from the Library you need to register for and use your Central Computing Service (CFS) account. Once you have registered for CFS , most of the Library’s electronic journals, books and databases can be accessed off campus.

These resources are for use only by University of Leicester staff and students. Usernames and passwords are for personal use only, and must not be divulged to anyone else.

 

How do I use my CFS username and password to login?

From the A to Z list of Databases and Electronic Resources or your Subject Room select the resource you wish to use. You will be prompted to log in using your CFS username and password.

 

Enter your CFS username and password as requested.

 

When searching for journal articles via Leicester e-Link from any of the Library web pages you will also be prompted to login using your CFS username and password.

For example selecting Leicester e-Link here:

 

 

How do I use Institutional login?

Some resources require us to use a different method for validating who is accessing them. For these resources you have to confirm that you are from the University of Leicester. The system the University of Leicester is using is called OpenAthens.

At the resources website locate the Login box which will either say "Login via UK Federation" or

via UK Federation or Login using "Shibboleth" or "Athens ID"

at the UK Access Management Federation screen choose University of Leicester from the list:

At the Athens Authentication point click on the Alternative login link. DO NOT type your CFS username and password into this box

In the search box type University of Leicester and click ‘Go’. Select University of Leicester from the list that is returned

 

Click ‘Go’ and you will see the University of Leicester Authentication Point for Athens, where you should enter your CFS Username and Password and then click the Login button.

 

How do I use individual resource passwords?

 

A few resources continue to use individual resource usernames and passwords for both on and off campus access. A list of these is available on the Passwords page.

When you are off campus you will be asked to login to the passwords page using your CFS username and password to verify that you are entitled to use these resources. If you do not have a CFS username and password, you can register for CFS on the IT Services website.

Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ) and where to get help

I don’t have a University (CFS) username and password?

You can register online at https://register.le.ac.uk/

If you are a distance learner and registering as a Non-Campus Based student you will need your Student ID number, this is a 9 digit number and is included in the information pack sent to you by your Department. If you do not know your number please contact your Department or the Distance Learning Service.

I’ve forgotten my CFS username and password?

If you have forgotten your CFS username or password or both contact the IT Services Help Desk.

My existing CFS username and password doesn’t work?

Contact IT Services Help Desk

My CFS username and password is working, but I’m having problems logging into a particular database or e journal from home?

Make sure you start from one of the Library’s web pages or services, links from the A-Z list on the Digital Library, a Subject Room, or Leicester e-link.

Access from work (including the NHS network) or from an Internet Cafe may be constrained by a firewall which conflicts with EZproxy. Check with your Internet Service Provider to find out if you are protected by a firewall.

Make sure your browser is set to accept cookies

 

I work for the NHS. What do I use?

NHS Athens is used to authenticate access to many of the electronic resources available to NHS staff. All NHS staff may apply for an NHS Athens username and password. Details are given on the National Library for Health website. Please contact staff at the Clinical Sciences Library for further details: Tel: 0116 252 3104 (709 3104 from University Hospitals of Leicester extensions) or e-mail:clinlib@le.ac.uk

I’m having problems accessing University resources from an NHS computer.

If you are an NHS staff member with a University of Leicester username and password you may have problems using these from an NHS PC as there is a known conflict with NHS security protocols, due to the NHS Firewall.

I can't access Westlaw off campus.

You may need to change your home computer's security settings. For more information on Westlaw go to

http://www.le.ac.uk/library/digital/WestlawUKAthens.html#problems

I'm still having problems

If we subscribe and you still cannot access the resource please contact the Library's Enquiry Service.

There may be a number of technical reasons why you are having problems. You may need to clear your cache and saved passwords, enable cookies, or disable your pop-up blocker. There may be issues with your Internet Service Provider, firewall, modem, router etc. While we will try to advise you unfortunately we cannot always help you solve problems relating to home or work computing installations.

I know which databases and resources to use but cannot find the information I need and would like help to search them more effectively.

Contact the Information Librarian responsible for your subject area. You can find their contact details by choosing your subject from the A-Z list.