Following the UCCS Kraemer Family Library’s recent transition from the Library VPN to a new proxy server, accessing the library resources from off campus has never been easier.
On June 15, the Kramer Family Library launched a new proxy server to allow faculty, staff and students to use their UCCS username and password to access library databases, eBooks, online journals, and streaming videos from off campus.
Due to license agreements, the library’s electronic resources are only available off campus to current students, faculty, and staff. Prior to the proxy, users had to install a virtual private network – or VPN – to create a secure, encrypted connection with the university and to identify authorized users.
But, according to Joel Tonyan, systems and user experience librarian, Kraemer Family Library, the VPN was difficult for some to install.
“The VPN worked great once you got it setup, but a lot of people had trouble getting it configured,” Tonyan said. “The proxy system requires no setup on the users’ end and uses the same campus username and password login as Exchange, Blackboard and many other campus resources.”
Besides the ease of not having to be setup, Tonyan says the proxy provides many additional benefits to users. For example, under the new system, resources are easily accessible on mobile devices and utilize a responsive design for improved user experience. Links to specific content can also easily be shared through Blackboard, email and social media.
“Our goal is to make the library’s resources more accessible and easier for faculty, staff and students – both on and off campus – to access,” Tonyan said. “Since we rolled out the proxy, we’ve already seen a drop in questions about accessing resources off campus.”
According to Tonyan, Kraemer Family Library staffed worked closely with the UCCS Information Technology Department to implement the new system. While the proxy server is up and running, the Library VPN will remain available during the transition period as a backup link.
In the fall, Tonyan plans to offer a series of workshops for faculty and staff to cover how the proxy works, how links work and how to use Google Scholar with the proxy.
For more information about the Kraemer Family Library’s proxy server and off-campus access resources, visit http://libguides.uccs.edu/basics/proxy.
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