Off-Campus Library Access: Home

Off-Campus Library Access

Off-Campus Access Directions

Proxy Service

The most common way to access the online databases from any off-campus location is with our proxy service. To access databases this way, you will need to use your SHU credentials, which are the same username and password that you use to log into your SHU email or Blackboard. Once you click on a database or start a search in QuickSearch from the SHU Library website, enter your credentials when prompted.

Once you have accessed one database, you will be able to access any other database through our library website. However, if you let the database sit idle for 20 minutes or longer, you will be logged out and will have to sign in again.

VPN

You also have the option of setting up a VPN. This will make it appear that you are on campus, and you will not have to enter your credentials each time you search a database. If you are interested in setting up the VPN, please follow the link below to setup instructions.

VPN Instructions

If you have any problems accessing the databases from off-campus, please contact our Reference Desk by calling (203)371-7726, emailing reference@sacredheart.edu, or using our Chat service.

Off-Campus Access Video Tutorial

Troubleshooting

Please see the following list of tips for overcoming the most common issues when accessing databases from off-campus.

• Make sure your username is correct. Do not include the "@mail.sacredheart.edu". It should look similar to: smithj123
• Make sure your password is correct. If you recently changed your password, don't use an old one saved in your browser.
• If you are locked out of your SHU account or can't remember your password, try resetting your password.
• Try clearing your browser's history and cache.
• Try using a different browser. If you are using Safari, try using Chrome or Firefox.
• Try a different database to see if you can access it. Occasionally a specific resource may go offline for a short period of time, and may work when you try again after a few minutes.
• If you can log into SHU email and Blackboard, you should be able to access the library resources. If you can't access any of your SHU resources or email, contact The Factory at (203)365-7575.
• Some employers use firewalls that will block your access to our resources. You can try again from another location.

If you continue to have problems accessing databases from off-campus, please contact our Reference Desk by calling (203)371-7726, emailing reference@sacredheart.edu, or using our Chat service.