Proxy FAQs

ACRL National Conference
March 29 - April 1, 2007
The Sheridan Libraries join the Baltimore library community in welcoming librarians and leaders in higher education to the 13th national Association of College and Research Libraries conference in Charm City.
National leaders will discuss issues such as interactive gaming and social networking technology in libraries. MORE...

Archives

Library Dean Wins American Library Association Award

Photograph of a librarian helping a female student.

Connect to library resources from home

Check out a book

Find items located in MSEL

View my borrowing record

Learn to use the library

Get a study carrel

Get a group study room

Suggest a purchase for the Libraries collection

Cite sources correctly

Set up search alerts in my subject area(s)

Libraries Service Center Request

InterLibrary Services Request

Eisenhower Express Request

Library Network Help Request Form

MSE Library Faculty Study Network Activation Form

Submit a Reserve Item

Overview

News & Events

Additional JHU Libraries

Internet Acceptable Use Policy

Faculty

Graduate Students

Undergraduate Students

Alumni

Visitors

Gateway to Knowledge Campaign

The Friends of the Libraries

Ways of Giving

Home > Library Services > Computing > Proxy FAQs

Printer-friendly Version

FAQ

Hopkins Libraries Proxy Service

Remote Access Solution

What do I have to do to use the proxy?

This proxy requires no configuration on the user's part.

When you click on a link to an online library resource, the proxy checks whether your computer is on campus or off. If you are working on campus you won't notice anything. If you are off-campus you will see the familiar JHED login screen. Enter your JHED username and password to be passed through to the resource you wanted.

You do not need to run the JHSecure VPN software with the proxy service.

What browsers are supported?

Almost any browser -- Firefox, Netscape, Internet Explorer -- will work with the proxy. Please note: an increasing number of websites do not work well with older browsers (e.g., Netscape 4.7). A current browser should be more reliable.

Are there any browsers that don't work well?

Some Internet Service Providers (ISP) give you their own versions of browsers for free when you sign up for their service. These browsers are often configured by the ISP in a way that can cause some problems for the proxy. To avoid this problem use your own copy of Firefox, Netscape, or Internet Explorer. If you have to login to the Internet via their browser (e.g., with AOL) first connect to the provider, then minimize your session, and then open your own browser. Again, a more current browser version is advised.

When do I need to use the proxy?

If you are off campus, you will be required to login with your JHED credentials, then you will be sent to the resource.
If you are on campus, you won't need to use the proxy. You will bypass the proxy and be sent directly to the resource. Please note: There are certain buildings on campus that are behind private IP addresses and that makes the proxy think you are off campus and you will have to login.

When I login my name and password don't work. What's wrong?

Make sure you are typing your ID correctly. Be sure that CAPS LOCK is not on (your JHED ID should be in all lower case).
You must be a registered Johns Hopkins student, faculty and staff member and you must use your JHED username & password. If you are registered but don't know your JHED information, contact the IT @ JH help desk -- phone 410-516-4357 or email help@jhu.edu

I use bookmarks for my favorite databases. Why don't they work anymore?

Your bookmarks will continue to work with the VPN. But, in order to call on the proxy service we have to use altered the links (URLs). Links on the Sheridan Libraries web site have been edited to work with the proxy.

Is there any way I can use bookmarks with the proxy?

In general we don't recommend using bookmarks because sometimes the publishers change the addresses of their databases. Links on our page are kept up to date. If you want to use bookmarks, though, and you know how to manage/edit your bookmarks then you will need to add the following text to the link you already have in your bookmarks: http://proxy.library.jhu.edu/login?url=
For instance, the version of the link to the Oxford English Dictionary would change

from http://dictionary.oed.com/entrance.dtl
to http://proxy.library.jhu.edu/login?url=http://dictionary.oed.com/entrance.dtl

Should I Enable Cookies?

Yes. Both the proxy and certain databases send "cookies" when you connect to make sure you are an authorized user. If your browser reported an error receiving a "cookie" and it may be currently set to disallow cookies. Make sure your browser is set to ENABLE COOKIES. If you need help changing this setting on your browser, please contact the IT @ JH help desk.

Should I still run the VPN?

The VPN will still work and you can certainly use it. But if it is running you won't be using the proxy. (HINT: If a resource doesn't work with the proxy, try the VPN and vice versa)

I'm at work and cannot access the databases, why not?

Some corporate, agency, or institutional, dial-up, cable, or broadband connections may automatically configure browsers so their own proxy server is used. It's possible these automatic settings, if they exist, could interfere with the use of the Libraries proxy. If these networks have a firewall or preset internet security settings you will need to talk to your network administrator at your place of business or school to see if they have a solution that will keep their network secure and still let you use our proxy.

Some error messages let me fill in my email. What happens if I enter my address?

You are shown web pages with error messages when the proxy recognizes a problem on our end. At the same time you see the message, the proxy also send our troubleshooting system a message with the details of what went wrong. Our staff will investigate. If you leave your email we can write and let you know when the problem is fixed (assuming it's a problem that can be fixed.) And, no, we don't share your e-mail with any marketing companies.

I'm not seeing everything on certain database sites, what's wrong?

Some products require a particular browser or version. If the problem persists write to Ask-a-Librarian and explain your problem.

Why can I get into some electronic journals without logging in?

Some full text journals are freely available to anyone on the Internet, either for a limited time or permanently. Please note: Even though these journals don't charge they may require you to register for their service.