Using electronic media
Find out more here about accessing and using electronic media such as e-books, e-journals or databases.
On a ZHAW campus
ZHAW members
In order to access the University Library’s electronic media holding, you must be linked to the ZHAW network by network cable, WLAN or LAN.
You can find instructions on how to set up WLAN und LAN (Zurich) connections on the Intranet (ZHAW login required).
Members of another university
If your university is a member of eduroam, you can connect via WLAN “eduroam”. You just need to register with your own personal access data from your home university (e-mail address and password). If you have any problems with the registration, please contact your home university.
However, this does not mean you are connected to the ZHAW network, so you cannot access the ZHAW electronic media. To access our e-media, use the search stations in the University Library. Please note that, if you are using a search station, you can only save items on a personal USB stick.
External users
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.
- Using electronic media at the search stations(PDF 1,6 MB) (in German only)
Off campus
Access to e-media via VPN
If you are not on campus, you need to establish a connection to the ZHAW network via the Virtual Private Network (VPN). The VPN connection is password-protected and secure, and it links your device anywhere off campus to the ZHAW network.
If your VPN connection is correct, your IP address is in the range 160.85.4.0 - 160.85.255.255. Check your current IP address under WhatIsMyIP.com.
Access to e-media via Shibboleth
With some suppliers, access is also possible via Shibboleth. Select “Swiss Higher Education (SWITCHaai)” and then “ZHAW” on the supplier’s website. Then enter your ZHAW login details.
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 all licensed resources, please connect via VPN.
Access to the Internet via eduroam
Eduroam allows you to access the Internet free of charge at all participating universities and higher education institutions worldwide via WLAN and your ZHAW login details. However, you can only access the ZHAW e-media via a VPN connection. Instructions on eduroam are available in the Self Service Portal (ZHAW login required).
No access?
What to do
There may be various reasons for not being able to access a resource. Please check the following:
- Are you connected to the ZHAW network?
- Is your VPN connection working?
- Does the ZHAW hold a licence?
- 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 160.85.4.0 - 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 is correct, your IP address is in the range 160.85.4.0 - 160.85.255.255 (see above).
You can find further information and instructions on the VPN on the Self Service Portal (ZHAW login required). If you experience any technical problems, please contact the ZHAW service desk: servicedesk@zhaw.ch
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. Certain specialised databases are listed under “discipline-specific Information” 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 (in German).
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. Others are installed locally in the Library and can only be searched on site. You can find all the relevant information in the database descriptions.
Electronic reference works
Some of the reference works can be found on ZHAW AppsAnywhere (with ZHAW login). To access them, you must first install the Cloudpaging Player (via Softwarecenter). Depending on the type of license, access is limited to a certain number of simultaneous users. In these cases, please try again later.
User instructions
For licensing reasons, a systematic download of electronic media is not permitted.
Information on digital copyright law on Moodle
E-learning ZHAW has created an information leaflet on the use of copyrighted materials for teaching purposes. This document is available on moodle.zhaw.ch. Please note the special regulations related to e-media on page 2.
Information leaflet (in German)