Library News Blog

3 Steps to a Better Browser

Spring has arrived.  It’s a time of budding trees, sunshine, and getting ready for summer.  It is also a great time for a “spring cleaning” of your internet browser.  Complete the three steps below to ensure a better experience on the library website and every other website you visit.

Current Browser:  Use a current internet browser such as Mozilla FireFox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, or Microsoft Edge.  (Microsoft has discontinued Internet Explorer.)

Update Browser:  Take a few minutes to update your internet browser.  This fixes many website problems and ensures a safer online experience.  Learn how to update: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, or Microsoft Edge.

Clear Cache: Open your internet browser and then press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac).  The website Lifewire also has an excellent guide to clearing your cache.

If you need help with your internet browser, please contact a UI&U Librarian or the IT Help Desk for assistance.

yellow sponges with violet flowers

 

Logins, Links, and Troubleshooting

Having the right computer and software is an essential step toward success as an online student.  This page includes recommended computer specifications, username and password information, and strategies for troubleshooting common technology problems.  The UI&U Librarians and the IT Help Desk are also available to answer questions and help you.

 

MyUnion Username and Password

Union Institute & University has a single sign-on (SSO) application that allows students, faculty, and staff to access multiple resources with one set of login credentials. The library uses the same login and password that is used for CampusWeb and email.

If you reach a restricted library resource, the MyUnion login screen will appear and you will be prompted to enter your username and password (please see the image below).  You can reset your username or reset your password in CampusWeb.

For assistance with your MyUnion username and password, contact the IT Help Desk.

Other Logins & Passwords

Many library databases include an option to create a personal database account with a login and password of your choice.  We recommend not creating personal database accounts as these needlessly complicate your research.  Below is an example of a personal database login that you can ignore.

If you reach a non-MyUnion login page or a page asking you to pay for an article, please contact a librarian for assistance.

 

Non-Working Link in OneSearch

If a “Read Online” or “Watch Online” link in OneSearch is not working, please report the problem.

 

PDF Documents Not Displaying

If library PDFs are not displaying in Mozilla Firefox, check your Adobe Reader Plug-in settings.

  1. Go to: Open Menu (icon with three lines)
  2. Select Options
  3. Scroll down to the Applications section
  4. Find “Portable Document Format (PDF)” in the Content Type column.
  5. Its action should be “Use Adobe Acrobat (in Firefox).”  If you have both Adobe Acrobat and Adobe Reader, you will need to make this change in both applications.
  6. Close and then reopen FireFox.  Return to the library website.

Make sure the Portable Document Format (PDF) browser application is set to Preview in Firefox.

 

General Troubleshooting

If you encounter  difficulty using the library website, here are a few steps you can take to fix the most common issues.

Browser.  Make sure you are using a current internet browser such as Mozilla FireFox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, or Microsoft Edge.

Update Browser.  Take a few minutes to update your internet browser.  This fixes many website problems and ensures a safer online experience.  Learn how to update: Mozilla Firefox, Google Chrome, Apple Safari, or Microsoft Edge.

Clear the Cache. Open your internet browser and then press Ctrl+Shift+Delete (Windows) or Command+Shift+Delete (Mac).  The website Lifewire also has an excellent guide to clearing your cache.

Try a Different Internet Browser.  If the problem is specific to your internet browser settings, switching to a different internet browser can solve the problem.

Try a Different Computer. If the problem is specific to your computer, switching to a different computer can solve the problem.  Some computers, especially ones you use at work, may have firewalls and other restrictions that might interfere with your research.

Restart your computer. Restart your computer using the restart button and not the shutdown button. Restarting your computer is a simple, but it is surprisingly effective step.

 

Recommended Computer Specifications

Computer hardware
Processor: Intel Core i5 and higher or AMD equivalent
Memory: 8 GB
Hard Drive: 160 GB and higher

Computers using Microsoft Windows
Supported operating systems: Windows 7, 8 and 10
Supported versions of Microsoft Office: Office 365 and Office 2013 and higher
Supported internet browsers: Internet Explorer: MS Edge or Internet Explorer (latest version), Google Chrome (latest version), Mozilla Firefox (latest version)

Apple Computers
Supported operating systems: Mac OS 10.12 (Sierra) or higher
Supported versions of Microsoft Office: Office 365 and Office 2016 and higher
Supported internet Browsers: Apple Safari 10 and higher (latest version), Google Chrome (latest version), and Mozilla Firefox (latest version)

Software & Settings
Adobe Acrobat Reader
Flash *
JavaScript *
Cookies enabled *

* library recommendations

 

If you are still having difficulty, please contact a UI&U Librarian or the IT Help Desk.  We would be happy to troubleshoot the problem with you.

 

business woman and man shaking hands

Dissertations and Theses in OneSearch

Looking for dissertations on your research topic? The library is pleased to announce that most ProQuest Dissertations and Theses are now available to read online directly from OneSearch.

Select the Dissertations/Theses limiter in sidebar to limit search results. Click the "show more" limiter if it is not visible.Use the following steps to locate dissertations and theses:

  1. Search by keywords, author name, or the title in OneSearch
  2. In the left sidebar, select the Source Type “Dissertations/Theses.”
    If missing, click the “show more” link in the source types section to see all options.
  3. Click “Read online.”

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Doctoral students should also search ProQuest’s Dissertations & Theses Global database as not all ProQuest dissertations are indexed in OneSearch. If you have questions, or would like research assistance, please contact your UI&U Librarians.

OneSearch Login

If you log into OneSearch, you’ll notice some changes to the interface and privacy settings.

OneSearch or EBSCOhost loginThe library’s OneSearch service is provided by the EBSCOhost company, which is why you will see the words “EBSCOhost” on the sign-in page. We realize this is confusing and have requested improvements to the sign-in page interface.

These changes will not affect the functionality of your EBSCOhost/OneSearch account and your login and password will remain the same.  (The EBSCOhost/OneSearch account is a personal account you can create to save search results to folders.  It is different from your MyUnion login that is used to access UI&U services OneSearch, interlibrary loan, student email, and CampusWeb.)  If you cannot remember your EBSCOhost/OneSearch username, please contact a UI&U Librarian for assistance.

After logging in, you will also be asked to accept EBSCO’s new privacy policy. In accordance with the European Union data protection legislation, EBSCO has increased privacy and security settings, including: requiring strong passwords, transitioning to HTTPS, and expanding privacy controls. A complete description of the new privacy and security enhancements is available on EBSCO’s support site.

Please contact a UI&U Librarian if you have any questions or need assistance.