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Accessing GBC Licensed Databases and Catalog from Home


How to Set up a Manual Proxy on your Web Browser
What can go wrong
Who may use the off campus access?
Help or Basic Troubleshooting
Other interesting stuff....
How the Proxy Works
UNR Proxy Information

The GBC Library subscribes to a variety of Web-based indexes, databases, ejournals and other resources selected for the use of GBC students, faculty and staff only.  The computers in the library and on campus are automatically linked to these resources via the network. 

 To provide access for Library cardholders who are not on campus, a proxy server has been set up at GBC. It works with your Web Browser (Netscape Navigator or Explorer) to allow you to get to the databases from your computer at home. For more information see how the proxy works


Who can use these databases?

  • Current GBC students, staff and faculty who have a current library card with barcode number
  • Come to the Circulation Desk in the library to obtain your card, remember you have to renew your card each year as it expires in September.
  • Faculty cards are renewed by the Circulation Department every August.

What can go wrong?

  • Browsers with existing proxies may not be able to access the databases.  Check to see that there is not another proxy configured on your computer or that a firewall set up by your company has not been set up.
  • DSL or cable modem services may overwrite you proxy settings with their own every time you start your browser.  Check your settings and re-enter them if necessary.

Help or Basic Troubleshooting
Error Meaning or Cause
404 Server not found  Service may have changed its Web address without telling us...rare, but occasionally happens.
The page cannot be displayed The remote server is down, or there is a network problem. 
Cannot find server If you typed the URL, it may have a typo
403 Forbidden You are not permitted to access this database.  There is something wrong with your library account. Call Circulation at 753-2222

Student accounts expire annually on September 15th. Go to the Circulation Desk to get your account updated.


How the Proxy Works

When you "configure your browser" using the instructions above, you are changing the way your browser gets to particular web addresses or URLs. For example, if you are trying to link to the Ebsco database, the URL is http://search.epnet.com. If you try to link to this URL from a computer off campus without going through these steps, you will be denied access. 

After configuring your browser, however, instead of going directly to http://search.epnet.com, your request is sent through the proxy server. Because the proxy server has a GBC network address, access will be granted.  Then you will have to enter your library card number and name to authenticate or tell the server that you really are a GBC student.  Web browsers must be configured to access this server. 

When you use "Manual" proxy configuration, every Web access or link that you take is directed through the proxy server at GBC. For this reason, it's highly advisable to turn off the manual setting once you're finished accessing library licensed resources.