Frequently Asked Questions
Off-Campus Access
Can I do my research from my computer at home?
Yes, however you should be aware that many library materials only exist in print. The best place to begin accessing online library sources is through the UWM Libraries Homepage.
The Library provides an easy way to access online resources from off-campus. UWM students, staff and faculty with Internet access can connect to most of the Library's subscription databases and electronic journals from home (a few titles are licensed for on-campus or in-library use only) by using the links on the library homepage.
If you have a computer and Internet access, you can search the library catalog
(PantherCat) and view information on the libraries' web pages. In order to access most databases to articles and electronic journals, you will be prompted to log in using your ePanther ID and password. On the Databases A-Z page, the 
icon indicates that a resource is not restricted, and, therefore, can be accessed by anyone from anywhere.
If you are using a commercial Internet Service Provider, such as America Online or RoadRunner, upon connecting to a library subscription, you will be directed to a login screen.
Signing in requires that your browser accept cookies. (See How to Enable Cookies if you need to restore this setting.) You may experience connection problems if you are behind a firewall that blocks certain Web access or are using a nonstandard or obsolete Web browser. For more information on the this remote authentication service, please contact the Systems Department or Ask a Librarian.
See also the Off Campus URL Generator.
Note: The online library catalog, Databases A-Z page, and electronic journals list can be accessed by the general public via the links on the Library Home Page. In order to connect to subscription titles, however, you will need to use the links above (unless you are already at a campus or organization that pays vendors for access).
How do I connect from off-campus?
Although you need to come in to the library to use our printed collections, many electronic resources, including the library catalog, databases, and e-journals, can be accessed anywhere on campus. UWM students, staff, and faculty can also sign in to use these services from home.
The UWM Libraries provide off-campus access to most of the libraries' electronic databases and online reference sources. Off-campus access to most resources is restricted to UWM students, faculty, and staff with valid UWM ID numbers due to copyright restrictions, software licenses, and other agreements. Unrestricted access to the online research resources is available in the Golda Meir library building (Research and Instructional Support Area, first floor, west wing), in the campus computer labs, offices, and dorms via the campus network. However, some resources cannot be accessed remotely and are only available in the Research and Instructional Support Area.
UWM students, faculty and staff have two options for remote access:
- You can access the libraries' online resources via the UWM dial-up connection. You must have a UWM ePanther account and software installed on your home computer. The software enables you to configure your Internet connection to UWM from home. The UWM Resource CD can be obtained at the Reserve Desk in the east wing of the library. For more information about the UWM Resource CD, contact the UITS Help Desk at 414-229-4040.
- If you are using a commercial Internet Service Provider (ISP), such as Road Runner or SBC, when you click on the link to one of the restricted library resources, you will be directed to the EZProxy login screen. (If you used the proxy service prior to May 2001 for remote access to library resources, you must uninstall the old proxy settings before using the new EZProxy service.) Please e-mail the Library Systems Department at libhtml@uwm.edu or call (414) 229-3999 during business hours if you need assistance with the proxy service.
Question #9
True or False: It is not possible to access the libraries' online resources from home - you must go to the library.