Remote Access

 Off Campus Access to Library Electronic Resources

Minnesota State Mankato students, faculty and staff can access Library resources including EJournals, Electronic Indexes & Databases, and other resources from MSU Residence Halls or from other off-campus computers.  Simply use the Online Journals, or Databases pages from the Library's web site. You will be prompted to enter your campus username and password when you select a resource.

As an alternative, you can use the clientless VPN Portal, but the previous method is the preferred one.  Do not use the VPN client when accessing Library electronic resources. Please contact the ITS Help Desk (507-389-6654) with any questions about the VPN Portal.

 

 Why is login required to use electronic resources from off campus?

 

Contracts with our database vendors require us to restrict access to faculty, staff, and currently enrolled students of Minnesota State, Mankato. When on campus, connections to subscription resources are automatic. By using the proxy server, your browser becomes part of the Minnesota State University network, regardless of your location.

The proxy server is browser independent, i.e., any browser should work with EZproxy. However, if you are having problems that are not related to login information, please try a different browser.

Troubleshooting Remote Access to Library Resources

If you have been unsuccessful connecting to library resources, please review our troubleshooting suggestions below.

If you are logged into the VPN client, please log out. Library electronic resources will not work from off campus through the client VPN.

Log into MavMail at http://mavmail.mnsu.edu/. When prompted to log in, enter:

• Mav Username
• Mav Password

If you cannot log into MavMail, try re-setting your password at https://www.mnsu.edu/its/userid/.

If you cannot re-set your password, call the MSU helpdesk at (507)389-6654 to verify your status as a currently enrolled student, faculty, or staff member.

• Check Browser Settings
• How to Enable your Browser Cookies

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Check Browser Settings
JavaScript and cookies must be enabled in your browser to access Library databases from off campus.

Use this button to see if you have JavaScript enabled.

• If it is enabled, a message box will appear that says "You have JavaScript enabled and can properly use this website!"
• If it is not enabled, no message box will appear. To use this site properly, you will need to enable JavaScripting on your browser.

How to Enable Javascript

• Internet Explorer : Go to Tools, Internet Options, Security, Custom Level. Under Scripting, select Enable for all.
• Firefox: Go to Tools, Internet Options, Security, Custom Level. Under Scripting, select Enable for all.

Use this button to see if you have cookies enabled.

• If it is enabled, a message box will appear that says "You have cookies enabled and can properly use this website!"
• If it is not enabled, a message box will appear that says "Cookies ARE NOT currently enabled! Please read below on this page for information on how to enable cookies." To use this site properly, you will need to enable cookies on your browser.
  • Note: JavaScripting must be enabled to use the Cookie Test.

 How to Enable Browser Cookies

Cookies Enabled is a default setting in both Internet Explorer, Netscape and Firefox. If your cookies are disabled, follow these steps to enable your browser cookies: 

• Internet Explorer  - go to Tools, Internet Options, and click on the Privacy Tab. Use the slider to set the level of privacy you want (medium is suggested)
• Firefox -to to Tools, Options, and click on the Privacy tab. Put check mark in Accept cookies  from sites, put check mark in Accept third-party cookies and Keep until: they expire. Click OK.

   If you need help:

For questions about the MSU Proxy Server, please contact: MSU Library Systems, Mon-Fri, 8 a.m. - 4:00 p.m. at (507) 389-2476 or via e-mail to Library Systems.

For questions about searching the databases, please contact: MSU Library Reference Desk, Mon-Fri, 9 a.m. - 9:00 p.m at (507) 389-5958. You can also send e-mail to askref@mnsu.edu.

For questions about your Library barcode, please contact: MSU Library Circulation Services, Monday-Thursday, 8 a.m. - 11:45 p.m, Friday, 8 a.m. - 6 p.m, Saturday, 10 a.m. - 5 p.m., Sunday, 3 p.m. - 11:45 p.m. at (507) 389-5064 or come to the Circulation Desk at the entrance of the Library any time the building is open.

For information on what resources are available see Off-campus Access to E-Resources.