Web Services

Accessing Journals and Databases

The MSU Libraries provide online access to thousands of online journals and databases; however, due to copyright and licensing agreements with vendors and publishers the library can only provide MSU faculty, staff and students access to these resources. Because of these restrictions, authentication methods are in place to prevent non-MSU individuals from accessing the content. The following information provides MSU faculty, staff and students with a means of accessing these resources regardless of where they are located.

Accessing resources from on campus:

Anyone using a computer or device connected to the MSU network (hard wired or wireless network) will be able to seamlessly access any of the library online resources whether they use the library website or not. For example, to use JSTOR the user does not have to go to the library website to gain access to JSTOR if they are using a computer that is connected to the MSU network.

Accessing resources from off campus:

Anyone using a computer or device not connected to the MSU network (i.e. accessing from home) will need to either access the resource through the library's website or use the MSU VPN (virtual private network) service, a secure method of accessing MSU resources. This sets up your computer so that it appears to be on the MSU network. By accessing an online resource through the library website the user will be prompted to enter their Netid/NetPassword when they select a protected service. Once the user authenticates, they will not have to do so again within the same session.

Users can also opt to use the MSU VPN service by downloading the Cisco AnyConnect VPN client to their computer. Once installed and setup, the user will be able to activate the VPN client whenever they are using the library resources. For more information on how to install the VPN Service visit http://www.its.msstate.edu/pdfs/MSUVPN.pdf.

The new Mobile Resources research guide is intended to help MSU Libraries users find mobile applications and websites that will help them do research at MSU Libraries, get around campus and enjoy their time at MSU.

The guide includes:

• Handy icons to denote the type of device each application works with
• Links to MSU Libraries' mobile apps, including the mobile website, research guides, and library video and audio tours
• Mobile-optimized databases
• MSU transit maps
• MSU Athletics' mobile apps
• Barcode/QR code scanner apps
• Apps to help users read ebooks, find new things to read, and catalog their personal libraries
• And more!

Visit http://guides.library.msstate.edu/mobile to get started!

Over the last few weeks, Web Services has been working on redesigning the Libraries' front page. We've based our designs on user focus groups, poll responses, and feedback from library faculty and staff as well as student workers. This is what we've come up with:

http://library.msstate.edu/newwebsite/

Please check out the new design and let us know what you think by filling out the form. Your input is vital to making the new Libraries"" front page a user-friendly and information-packed design!

We're working on a new look for our homepage, and we need your input!

Put in your two cents using our poll. Go to http://library.msstate.edu/poll and fill out the form. All responses are confidential.

Help us make your Library website THE PLACE for research and information!