Using electronic media

Reading e-books at home – how does it work? Find out more about using electronic media such as e-books, e-journals or databases.

ZHAW members

ZHAW members

In order to access the University Library’s electronic media holding, you must be linked to the ZHAW network. You can connect via WLAN (on campus) or VPN (outside the ZHAW campus). Instructions for setting up VPN can be found in the Self Service Portal (ZHAW login required).

VPN

Instructions in the Self Service Portal (ZHAW login required)

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Shibboleth

With some suppliers, access is also possible via Shibboleth.  Select “Institutional Login” and then “ZHAW” on the supplier’s website. Then log in with your Switch edu-ID.

Please note that you will only be logged onto this specific platform, so you won’t be able to access any other electronic media. If you want to have access to other licensed resources, please connect via VPN.

LibKey Nomad and LibKey

LibKey Nomad is a browser extension that provides you with direct access to the licensed content of the ZHAW as well as open access materials. After installing, select ZHAW as your institution. You will then be notified about availability with a blue ZHAW banner. LibKey also facilitates access to our databases: If an article is available, simply click on the LibKey symbol to access the full text. If it is not available, you will be redirected to ZHAW swisscovery. There you can check whether the document you are looking for is possibly available in print in a library.

External users or members of another university

You have access to almost all the ZHAW’s electronic media at the search stations in our libraries. Please note that, if you are using a search station, you can only save items on a personal USB stick.

Please note the information about eduroam and guest WLAN.

No access?

What to do

There may be various reasons for not being able to access a resource. Please check the following:

  1. Are you connected to the ZHAW network?
  2. Is your VPN connection working?
  3. Does the ZHAW hold a licence?
  4. Are there any access restrictions?

1 / Are you connected to the ZHAW network?

Access to licensed electronic media works almost exclusively via your computer’s IP address. This means that you do not need to enter a password.

Your IP address must be in the range 160.85.0.0 - 160.85.255.255. Check your current IP address under WhatIsMyIP.com.

2 / Is your VPN connection working?

If you are off campus, you need to connect to the ZHAW network via the Virtual Private Network (VPN). If your VPN connection (ZHAW login required) is correct, your IP address is in the range 160.85.0.0 - 160.85.255.255 (see above).

Clear your browser's cache or switch to another browser.

3 / Does the ZHAW hold a licence?

E-books and e-journals

The e-books and e-journals licensed by the ZHAW are listed in ZHAW swisscovery.

Databases

You can find the databases licensed by the ZHAW in the database list. Databases can contain a very wide range of media resources, but not all of these are always licensed. Check the database list to see which are shown as licensed resources.

4 / Are there any access restrictions?

E-books

Most publishers allow unlimited simultaneous use for e-books. However, depending on the type of licence, access may be limited to a certain number of users at any one time. If you are unable to access an item, please wait for a time before trying again. If access remains blocked for a long period, please report the problem to us. Special terms of use as well as instructions for e-books can be found on the e-book platforms page.

E-journals

Depending on licensing, only a part of the published volumes is accessible in full text. In ZHAW swisscovery, the accessible volumes are shown under «Full text availability».

Databases

Read the database description to find out about any restricted access or special access conditions. Some databases can only be used after you have registered. You can find all the relevant information in the database descriptions.

User instructions