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Using Electronic Resources

Learn how to access and use electronic resources at the University of Mississippi Libraries, including databases, eJournals, One Search, and digital collections.

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How to Use Electronic Resources

The University of Mississippi Libraries provide access to several types of electronic resources for the university community and researchers.

How to Access Electronic Resources

Databases

We have over 200 research databases. A database is a collection of organized information like journal articles, newspaper articles, data sets, images and so on. Academic Search Premier is an example of a database.
A-Z Databases

Basics

You can access databases from the database page or any other place links or search boxes are made available.


A database is a collection of organized information. Academic Search Premier is an example of a database. The UM Libraries provide access to many databases, some full-text and others bibliographic. Full-text databases contain complete works whereas bibliographic databases contain citations and/or abstracts. 

Choosing which databases to search

If you are looking for articles on general topics, you may want to use general databases like Academic Search Premier, LexisNexis Academic, or JSTOR.


If you want to search subject specific database, then take a look at the subject listing on the database page.

Printing and saving articles from databases

Many databases provide the option to print within the database; just look for the print icon. Using the in-database option will save you from printing unwanted and redundant pages. If there is no print option within the database, you can also use the print options available for your Internet browser.


Many databases also allow you to save articles. However, some databases may place restrictions on the number of articles you can save at one time.

One Search

Our “One Search” discovery service, by Ebsco, provides a simple, discoverable search experience by combining the catalog with the search of most of our databases, journals, and digital collections.
One Search

Basics

You can access databases from the “One Search” from the library homepage, or any other place links or search boxes are made available.


One Search is a discovery service which combines the library catalog with most of our database content, plus other library content to give you a more simple yet complete search experience. 

Filtering your search results

Your can filter your search results by checking off categories on the left sidebar of your search results screen. For example, you can limit by date or date range, specific subject or material type.

Accessing content shown in “One Search”

When you find a result you would like to see, take a look at your presentation options. If it say’s “Full Text HTML” or “PDF”, you can just click on those and access the item right away. You will also see a “Find It” button. Use that if the item is not available in Full Text HTML or PDF.


“Find It” will help you locate the item. If it we have it in more than one format, links will be shown to other formats or you may be taken to a publisher site. If we don’t have the item here, you will be offered the opportunity to have it sent by Interlibrary Loan.

eJournals

We have hundreds of eJournals. eJournals are electronic journals with articles available for viewing online.
BrowZine

Basics

You can use the eJournals Portal to search for or browse e-journals by title or subject. Or from the home page, use “Journal Finder” to search the online catalog. Look for the eJournal entries. Links within the record will show you what dates are available.

Accessing specific eJournals

The way you access a specific eJournal can be unique to the eJournal. This is highly confusing to many library users, but it is easy to navigate when you better understand what you are seeing. Some eJournals may be presented through a database search platform, others may go to a publisher site. One thing is common, they will all present you with a table of contents showing the current issue, volumes and years.

Important to Note

If an eJournal asks you to pay, you either somehow arrived at the eJournal without logging into your Library account or you are attempting access issues we do not subscribe to. Make sure you are logged in.  Request those items we don’t subscribe to through Interlibrary Loan to avoid paying!

Digital Collections

A digital collection is an archival collection that has been digitized and placed online.
eGrove

Basics

You can use Digital Collections to search for archival primary source materials. Materials are arranged by “Collections” which can all be viewed from the Digital Collections homepage.

Finding and using items in a collection

There is an advanced search feature at the top of the page, it can search all collections or specific collections. Digital Collections can also be searched using “One Search.”

Accessing Electronic Resources

Access to electronic resources may vary by resource and your relationship to the University.

Most of the electronic resources provided by the Library are purchased at a significant cost to the University and are covered by a usage license. To comply with provider licensing agreements, access to most e-resources is limited to current students and employees at the University of Mississippi. 

Members of the community who do not fall into one of the above categories may access many of our resources from the public computers within the library.

Comprehensive Electronic Resource Access Information

Privileges for Accessing Electronic Resources Licensed for the University of Mississippi

The majority of the Library’s online resources are not freely-available are governed by licenses (i.e., contractual, legal agreements). Typically, the higher education community handles such licenses based on individual campuses or users enrolled for those specific campuses.

What is a licensed resource?

A licensed resource is an electronic resource to which the University Libraries subscribe through a contractual, legal agreement. These can include primary sources like book/journal collections as well as secondary indexing or reference type materials. 

The University Libraries typically license access for employees and students at UM campuses but not for the University of Mississippi Medical Center. The UMC campus has a separate library administration and budget. Access to resources licensed by UM Libraries is extended to the Law School employees and current students even though the libraries themselves have separate administrations and budgets. The Libraries jointly license some resources when possible to reduce costs.

Who can access licensed resources?

Licenses are legally binding documents that usually require that the University Libraries limit access to current faculty, staff, and students at the University of Mississippi. This is a non-negotiable part of the contracts the Libraries are required to sign. Typically, there are no fee-for-access options for people who are not current UM students or employees.

The University Libraries has traditionally served as a major resource for the broader community. In order to maintain access to University Libraries resources, the Libraries ensure that all licenses allow the general public to access electronic resources from within the Libraries’ facilities. The Libraries have structured their licensing agreements with database providers to make this possible.

How does the library/campus ensure only authorized users have access?

Access to library resources is governed by the library’s patron database and proxy server in conjunction with the campus WebID system. The WebID system and the library’s patron database get their information from the campus management system (SAP).

For this login to be successful, each user must be either:

  • A student registered for any current or upcoming class that is recorded in the student information system
  • A currently paid employee that is recorded in the University’s Human Resources Management System
  • An emeritus faculty member that is recorded in the University’s Human Resource Management System

These users make up the official FTE count of the UM Libraries that is typically reported to library vendors as the basis for e-resource license fees. Once properly recorded by SAP/WebID, each current employee and student should have access to library electronic resources and Interlibrary Loan services. If you feel you do meet one of these criteria but do not have access, please contact the library at askalib@olemiss.edu or call (662) 915-5855. According to Human Resources, faculty on sabbatical are still considered “active” and should receive access even while on sabbatical. Similarly, nine-month faculty who remain “active” in the HR system will continue to receive access during the summer. The only exception is if the department issues a termination of employment with HR.

For students, summer access is available when they have pre-registered for a class for the Fall. For independent study students, access is granted during the semester in which they pay tuition or receive financial aid. Also, bear in mind that sharing of one’s WebID and password with anyone is forbidden by University policy and by our electronic resource contracts.

What about adjunct faculty, visiting professors not paid by the University?

Adjunct faculty who are not paid by the University are not entitled to use licensed electronic resources unless they come to the Williams or Science libraries and use these resources on the premises.

What about distance education students?

Distance does not make any difference. Students currently enrolled for any classes or upcoming classes are entitled to use electronic resources.

Are there any “special cases”?

UMC faculty and students are not eligible for electronic resource access. As noted previously, there are shared licensed resources but the access is provided through the UMC Rowland library for their users. For users who are not enrolled in a class or a paid employee, walk-in privileges are extended in both the Williams and Science libraries.

It is also worth noting that a few resources are only available within the building or require a login. These are rare exceptions and the records in the catalog reflect these cases.

I have a library borrowing card to do research. Can I also get remote access?

No. The library borrowing card is for checking out materials only. Borrowing privileges do not extend to library-licensed databases, which are governed by legally binding contracts with publishers.

Who is responsible for enabling access to licensed resources?
  • Office of Human Resources: Manages employee records
  • Office of the Registrar: Manages student enrollment records
  • Office of Information Technology: Assigns library access privileges in WebID based on data provided by HR and the student management information system
  • University Libraries: Selects information resources; manages the patron database and proxy server, creates access links that require authentication

You can access databases from the database pages or any other place links or search boxes are made available.

Most of our databases are licensed but there a few that are not. When you attempt to do a search in most of our databases, unless you are using one of the public computers available within the library, you will be asked to log in to the library to access library electronic resources. Log in with your Web ID. If you are on your own laptop or mobile device, you will also need to log in with your Web ID, even if you are in the library. Note that logging into the wireless network is different from logging into the library. 

If you have a problem accessing databases you believe you are entitled to use, please contact Circulation West.

You can access “One Search from the library homepage or any other place links or search boxes are made available.

When you attempt to do a search in “One Search”, unless you are using one of the public computers available within the library, you will be asked to log in to the library to access library electronic resources. Log in with your Web ID. If you are on your own laptop or mobile device, you will also need to log in with your Web ID, even if you are in the library. Note that logging into the wireless network is different from logging into the library. 

If you have a problem accessing “One Search” and you believe you are entitled to use it, please contact Circulation West.

When you attempt to open or download an eBook, unless you are using one of the public computers available within the library, you will be asked to log in to the library to access library electronic resources. Log in with your Web ID. If you are on your own laptop or mobile device, you will also need to log in with your Web ID, even if you are in the library. Note that logging into the wireless network is different from logging into the library. 

If you have a problem accessing an eBook you believe you are entitled to use, please contact Circulation West.

You can access eJournals through the catalog,  Journal Finder or the eJournals Portal or any other place links or search boxes are made available.​

When you attempt to access an eJournal, unless you are using one of the public computers available within the library, you will be asked to log in to the library to access library electronic resources. Log in with your Web ID. If you are on your own laptop or mobile device, you will also need to log in with your Web ID, even if you are in the library. Note that logging into the wireless network is different from logging into the library. 

If you have a problem accessing an eJournal you believe you are entitled to use, please contact Circulation West.

You can access Digital Collections from the library homepage, Archives and Special Collections homepage, or any other place links are made available.​

Most Digital Collections are open to the public and can be accessed from any computer at any place in time. There a few collections however that restrict streaming media to computers in the J.D. Williams Library. 

If you have a problem accessing a Digital Collection you believe you are entitled to use, please contact Archives and Special Collections.