John C. Murphy Memorial Library: Remote Access F.A.Q

The John C. Murphy Memorial Library subscribes to several online resources in order to provide access to current students and staff. Our online resource collection includes collections of articles (many of which offer full text version of the entire article to be read online), image repositories, reports, and electronic books (eBooks).

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Who can access resources from off campus and What do I need to sign in?

Currently enrolled CLC students, staff and faculty are eligible to use the libraries online resources from off campus. Our system will automatically detect if the computer you are using is located on or off campus. When off campus you will be prompted to login to the system with your CLC ID Number. If you do not know your CLC ID Number please call the admissions office at 847-543-2061 and ask for assistance.

It's that easy! Just visit the library website and follow the links to access the electronic databases from wherever you want - the library takes care of the rest for you.

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How do I get help if I am having trouble accessing online resources?

Please contact a librarian at 847-543-2071 or by email at library@clcillinois.edu for assistance. A librarian is also available to assist you via Instant Messaging during regular library hours.
We have screen names at the following services:
AIM & Yahoo: CLCLibrary | MSN: CLCLibrary@hotmail.com | ICQ: 29748367

Please be prepared to provide the following information:

What computer operating system are you using?
(Windows 2000, XP, Linnux, OS8, G3, IMac, or something else?)

What browser and version are you using?
(Netscape, Microsoft Internet Explorer, Firefox, AOL, or something else?)

What Internet Service Provider are you using?
In order to be able to access the Internet, you must have service through an Internet Service Provider (ISP). It may be your institution or employer; you may pay for the service though providers like Roadrunner, AT&T, Southwestern Bell; or, you may be using a service like AOL, Compuserve, or Prodigy. You might also be using a free service like Netzero or Juno.

Are you using a standard modem, or one of the high-speed connections (cable modem, ISDN, or DSL) to connect?
Do you hear the phone dial when you connect? If so, you are using a standard modem (unless you have its speaker turned off.) If not, does your computer connect to a special box. The high-speed connections require a terminal box/router connection. Note: If you are trying to connect from a business network, let us know.

Were you able to connect successfully to this (or any) electronic resource previously?
If yes, we need to know if anything has changed. For example, have your operating system, or installed a different Web browser (or newer version of your current browser.) Have you changed service providers or connection software?

What online resource are you trying to use?
Let us know what you were trying to gain access to. We might have further information which will be helpful.

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Why do I need to Log in to use online resources?

The CLC library purchases online resources through a variety of venders. Due to licensing and fee structures, the library is limited to offering off-campus access to current students and staff only. Computers located on CLC campuses have been setup to access the library’s online resources automatically. Anyone who attempts to access online resources from a remote location must be verified as a current student or staff member by logging into the system. Residents may use the online resources on campus during our regular operating hours.

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What Library resources can I access from off campus?

Most online resources the library subscribes to are accessible from remote locations. A few online resources have special restrictions imposed by the vendor, limiting their use to a particular building or to a particular department. These online resources are available onsite at a CLC campus in person.

Currently the following resources are not available remotely:
Harper’s Weekly, Hoover’s Online, Philanthropy Center resources, and PDR.

(This list is subject to change without notice).

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What is a CLC Id Number and how do I get one?

Your CLC ID number is assigned to you by the college when you apply for admission or begin employment.

When a student’s application for admission has been processed (usually within 2 working days), they will receive a CLC Student ID number in the mail.

Students can also access their ID through the college’s touch-tone phone registration system. Just call (847) 223-1111, select 'Student ID Lookup' and enter your social security number and PIN (date of birth, if you have not changed it).

Please Call the Admissions office 847-543-2061 for further assistance with your CLC ID Number. Office Hours are- Monday - Thursday 8am-8:00pm; Friday 8am-4:00pm

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My CLC ID number doesn’t work I try to login.

If you believe you know your CLC ID number and are typing it correctly and still can't login, you may wish to check:

You are NOT adding extra information when typing your CLC ID Number. There is no need to type a “W” in front of the digits (as you would do with the student self service system).

Please check to make sure you have the correct CLC ID number by calling either the admissions office 847-543-2061 or Human Resources (847) 543-2065

If you are still having problems after you have confirmed your CLC ID number please contact a librarian at 847-543-2071.

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Problem Solving:

Things don't function right when I connect from my place of work or at home. Your Internet Service Provider (ISP) or employer may use firewalls and/or proxy servers for network security reasons. It's possible these settings, if they exist, could interfere with remote access to the library’s online resources. If you already do have proxy server setting configured on your browser, you may need to change the setting or access the library resources from another location.

Firewall issues
If you are behind a personal or corporate firewall, your access to the databases may be blocked. For example, you may get a "Page cannot be displayed" or "File cannot be found" message when you click on a database link.

If you are at home:
If you are at home, try turning off your personal firewall temporarily and try again. Check the product documentation to see if there are settings you can adjust to allow access. (If you are using Windows XP's built in firewall, you can follow the instructions at: http://www.microsoft.com/windowsxp/using/networking/learnmore/icf.mspx)

ISPs that use proprietary versions of browsers, such as AOL or Prodigy, MAY have problems accessing our system. Try this workaround:
1. connect to your provider
2. minimize your session and use your own copy of Netscape or Internet Explorer for web surfing instead of their browser.
Another common problem occurs during set up of dial-up, cable, or broadband connections, certain browser settings get configured according to THEIR preferences.

If you are at work:
Some companies have employee's browsers configured to use their own proxy server (or not enable acceptance of cookies, or some other security setting) that may interfere with our remote access server's functioning. Most problems using library resources from work need to resolved with your company's IT staff. Contact your network administrator to find out if there is a corporate firewall preventing your access to the library’s online resources and ask if access can be allowed. If you continue to have problems please contact your ISP or technical support staff at your place of employment for further assistance.

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I get through Library authentication, but the resource wants me to login too.

There are two possibilities: an error or a password-protected resource. Almost all online resources validate users by their IP address. Occasionally, a vendor requires usernames and passwords. Or, in rare instances, authentication just doesn't work for a particular resource. In this case you will need to visit the Grayslake Campus library in order to use the resource. Otherwise, a login screen is an indication of an access error, perhaps requiring a change in our server's configuration. You should note the name of the resource you were trying to access and see the section labeled “How do I get help if I am having trouble accessing online resources?” for contact information.

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I got a Hostname error. What do I do?

You will get a Hostname Error page when you attempt to access a database that has not yet been set up for use by our system. The Library Technology Specialist must setup each library resource individually in order for it be accessed remotely though the system.

Database vendors often make changes domain names, or pull content from new computer hosts without ever informing libraries. Thus, when a hostname error occurs, the library’s system configuration must be updated to include the new information.

To expedite correction of this error, please note the following information:

the name of the resource you were trying to access

the computer hostname line listed on the error page

and report it by email to: library@clcillinois.edu

This problem will be corrected as soon as possible after your notice is received.

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I got a Cookie Error. What do I do?

Our authentication system and certain online resources we provide access to send "cookies" when you connect to them to verify, during your session, that you are an authorized user. If your browser reported an error receiving a "cookie" and it MAY be currently set to disallow cookies.

In Netscape, check: Edit Menu/Preferences/Advanced and make sure cookies are not disallowed.

In Internet Explorer, check: Tools Menu/Internet Options/Security Tab/ and make sure your security level is medium (or above) or, if you have a custom level, that cookies are not disabled.

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Why did I get a "404 Error" (File Not Found) page or a "Server not Found or DNS Error" page?

Our authentication system delivers error pages to users for certain common problems. There are a variety of common errors that occur during general surfing of the Internet. When they occur, the web server (or web browser) sends an error page for you to view - usually without a lot of explanation. These may or may not be related to our system.

Two common Internet errors are:

404 Errors (Page not Found)

"Server not Found or DNS Error"

Users may get these errors for a variety of reasons including:

An incorrect URL, outdated link or a missing page

Attempting to access the library’s online resources when you already have a proxy server configured in your browser.

Some aspect of your network is down or very busy, or the online resource you are trying to use is experiencing technical problems at the time you attempted to access it.

You should note the name of the resource you were trying to access and see the section labeled “How do I get help if I am having trouble accessing online resources?” for contact information.

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I'm having problems with searching or other resource features:

The various online resource vendors use a variety of programming methods on their web sites. If certain links or other aspects of the site aren't functioning, there are a few primary possibilities:

The library’s remote access system configuration for the online resource needs to be adjusted.
If these features function when accessing the resource from on-campus then the remote access server configuration may have to be adjusted to adapt to the database's particular method.

Problem is with vendor's site
Like any information technology, there are often problems on the vendor's end that lead to problems with the database. These problems are generally resolved fairly quickly once the vendor is aware of them.

Problem is with your browser's ability to handle site's programming
Problems could also be due to your browser not working with the programming the online resource uses (Java or JavaScript, Active Server pages, etc.) You browser's settings might be preventing certain functionality, or, sometimes, an error occurs in the browser that can't be resolved until you reboot your computer.

Certain content or features are not part of the library's subscription
In a few online resources, the library's subscription does not provide access to all features or content on a site. In this case, you may get an error message or login screen - though it may also be that what appear to be links to those features are simply not active.

You should note the name of the resource you were trying to access and see the section labeled “How do I get help if I am having trouble accessing online resources?” for contact information.

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I need help using an online database.

This is not an access problem. You can call a library reference desk for assistance in using online resources more effectively.

Please call a librarian at 847-543-2071 or by email at library@clcillinois.edu for assistance.

A librarian is also available to assist you through Instant Messaging during regular library hours. We have screen names at the following services:
AIM & Yahoo: CLCLibrary | MSN: CLCLibrary@hotmail.com | ICQ: 29748367

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