Library Use Authentications

There are several ways you can set up user access in your library.

Cookie Authentication

For libraries without direct connections or dial-up connections, a cookie can be set so that each computer can access EBSCOhost without prompting it for a user id and password. Make sure your browser has "use cookies" enabled. In Netscape, go to Edit/Preferences/Advanced. Mark the circle saying "accept only cookies that get sent back to originating server." In Internet Explorer, the default is "enable cookies." To check the setting, choose Internet Options/Security/Custom Level. Scroll down to Cookies. It should have "enable" marked in the circle.

The first time you use EBSCOhost, you must enter the user id and password. You can then bookmark the sites or create a desktop shortcut. The cookie will now return to this site when you use the bookmark or shortcut. (Note: If another user searches EBSCOhost and creates another bookmark within EBSCOhost, the cookie will reset to this bookmark.)

Allowing EBSCO to create a cookie does not give EBSCO or any other site access to the rest of your computer. Only the site that created the cookie can read it. EBSCOhost cookies stay on a computer for 30 days. The cookies will expire if EBSCOhost is not accessed in 30 days. If within 30 days you access EBSCOhost, the cookie will reset for another 30 days.

IP Authentication

For libraries that have direct connections to the Internet, it is beneficial to set up IP authentication with EBSCO. All of the library computers are connected through a LAN. Each computer in the LAN has a unique address called the IP address. By giving EBSCO these addresses, or range of IP addresses, it is possible for their server to recognize and authorize all the library computers. IP address authentication is the traditional method of identifying users requesting access to vendor databases and eliminates the need for user identifications and passwords. Since only the library's EBSCOhost administrator can add a user IP address, it ensures limited access.

Shared ranges with other agencies can create problems. If your library gets Internet access from a college or school, it is likely you share a range of IP addresses that are not unique to the library, and you will not be able to pull out individual user statistics. Talk to the local technical support person to see if the library can get a static range of addresses. If not you may be able to set up the embedded URL access.

You may add your IP addresses in the administration module. As soon as the IP's are typed and saved, authentication is active. You may add and delete IP addresses in the admin at any time. You may also call Judy Jones, your LSA or EBSCOhost technical support to add the IP addresses in your admin.

DSL Authentication

Many libraries have access to the Internet through digital subscriber line (DSL) vendors. DSL service providers normally use software that creates a DHCP range of computer/workstation addresses (IP addresses). These numbers are dynamic in that whenever the computer is shut down and started up again, the computer address will change and pick an address randomly from the DHCP range. The range of numbers is usually configured and accessed randomly by the entire DSL community. Therefore, libraries do not have their own range of numbers. Libraries should call the DSL provider to see if they will provide them with the IP addresses. If the library requires a static range (addresses identified with the library only), it will need to pay extra for this service. Libraries that have online catalogs require static addresses. If you have a range of addresses from the DSL vendor, add that information in your admin module information. You may add the IP addresses in your admin or call Judy Jones, your LSA or EBSCOhost technical support.

Using an Embedded URL when IPs are not Available

For security reasons, some DSL vendors are not comfortable providing the library or EBSCO with the entire range of addresses. The library can still have workstation authentication even though they are unable to use IP authentication. Follow the steps listed for Creating a bookmark. or Creating a desktop shortcut. Whenever you are instructed to type in the URL box, replace the URL address for EBSCOhost from http://search.ebscohost.com with the URL: http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=uid&user=[your userid here]&password=library.
Substitute your specific user id and Password in the URL address. The embedded URL address goes directly to the list of available databases and does not prompt for a user id code. This embedded URL is for IN-LIBRARY USE ONLY.