If you are experiencing difficulties connecting to the Library's subscription electronic resources, here are a few tips and suggestions:

• Try logging in again - An incorrect username or password is probably the most common mistake people have when connecting to the subscription electronic resources. Please use your network user-name and network password, not your RAIL user-name and RAIL password. Your network user-name is usually the first letter of your first name normally followed by the first 6 letters of your last name- e.g. jsmith. Students will have numbers at the end of their network username- e.g. jsmith01.
• Try logging into your Shepherd Email account - To make sure you are using the correct network user-name and correct network password, try logging into your student or staff email account. If you can log in successfully you are using the correct network user-name and network password.
• What is my network user-name and network password? - To find your network user-name and network password log onto RAIL:
  • Enter your RAIL user-name and RAIL password
  • Click on "Personal Information"
  • Click on "Password Management"
  • Click on "Retrieve original password"
  • Accept the User Policy
  • Write down or remember your network user-name and network password
  Also, you may want to try resetting your network password. To do this log onto RAIL:
  • Enter your RAIL user-name and RAIL password.
  • Click on "Personal Information"
  • Click on "Password Management"
  • Click on "Change original password"
  • Enter what you would like the password to be
  • Reenter what you would like the password to be
  • Click on "Submit"
  • Wait 5 minutes
• Have you paid all you university fees? - Sometimes a network account can be disabled if you have not paid some university fees. This includes, but is not limited to, tuition, parking tickets and overdue library fines.
• Are you a current Shepherd University student or employee? - Only current Shepherd University students and employees can access the subscription electronic resources from off-campus.
• Are cookies enabled? - Cookies need to be enabled on your browser in order to access the subscription electronic resources.
• Is JavaScript enabled? - It is recommended that you enable JavaScript while logging in and using the subscription electronic resources.
• How are you trying to access the subscription electronic resources? - In order to use the subscription electronic resources off-campus, you need to be authenticated from our proxy server. We recommend starting at the Library website and selecting the electronic resource you want to connect to from the list of electronic resources.
• Where are you when you are trying to access the subscription electronic resources? - Depending on where you are and what network you are using, you may be behind a firewall. Some people may have firewalls installed on their computer or may be using a network protected by a firewall. Most K-12 schools sit behind a very tight firewall. Since our proxy server operates on a non-standard port, chances are that if you're at a K-12 school you will not be able to access the subscription electronic resources because the firewall is preventing access.

Phew!! Bet you didn't think accessing the Library Resources could be so difficult.

If you're still having problems accessing the subscription electronic resources, We recommend contacting the Library. Send an email to , (304) 876-5423 or by instant messaging (Yahoo/AIM/MSN: askgerm). When sending an email or leaving a phone message be sure to include the following:

• your name
• your network user-name (student02), not your network password
• your Rambler ID number
• What the problem is
• date/time of problem
• location of where your having the problem (home/work/school)
• email address where you can be reached
• phone number where you can be reached

If for some reason Erin does not respond within one day, please contact the Library's Public Service Desk or Reference Desk for assistance.