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Current issues guide

E-Resource Access Problems – self-check guide

Having problems accessing our e-resources? Please check our handy self-help guide below.

Accessing e-resources

The best way to access the resources we subscribe to is to search using Library Search from the Library and Skills webpage (you will also find this on the Finding Resources webpage).

  • Enter your search words into the box. If you enter more than 2 words and you want them to appear side by side in a search use quotation marks, e.g. “climate change”.

  • Or choose a database from the A-Z list as highlighted in the screenshot below:

A screenshot of the Library and Skills homepage banner and the Library Search bar. The search bar is below the words "Library search: Find ebooks, books, articles & journals and more". This is followed by the link to "e-Resources A-Z list".

You will need your university login details to be able to access the resource.

  • Your username is on your student card. 
    This will be in the format of: a123456b or ab123456

  • Your password will have been sent to you by email.

If you are asked for your username and password the log in page for our resources will look like this:

The sign in screen. The username is in the format username@student.staffs.ac.uk. Below is a clickable link for Can't access your password? The there is a clickable button for Next.


Problems accessing a resource

If you cannot access a resource try accessing a different resource via the library resources homepage https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/libraryresources and see if you can access that.

For example:

Business Source Complete: https://libguides.staffs.ac.uk/az.php?a=b

If you can access an alternative resource:

  •  If you are still unable able to access the resource after trying the instructions above please use our online enquiry system Solve to contact the Student Life team and we will investigate and resolve the issue for you.  Please make sure you include details and a screenshot of the error message you were getting for the resource you were trying to access initially.

If you cannot access the alternative resources, please try the following:

Once you have done this please:

  • Close your browser and re-open it again just to make sure you are trying a new session.
  • Try to access the resource again.
  • If you are still not successful please try the following:

    • Clear cookies and the cache in your browser too.

    • Use a different browser to access the resources.

Another reason for this may be that the specific resource you are trying to access is blocked by your local institution or countries Firewall.

If none of the above work please check with your local IT department if access to the resource has been blocked by your institution, country or Firewall.

Resource still not accessible?

If you are still unable able to access the resource after trying the instructions above please use the online enquiry system Solve to contact the Student Life team. Please make sure you include the following information when you log the call: 

  • Name of the resource you are trying to access

  • Screen shot of any error messages you receive

  • Confirmation you have followed the above instructions (tried an alternative resource, re-set password, closed/re-opened browser, cleared cookies/cache, tried a different browser, contacted your local IT department.

  • Your username

  • Best email address to respond to

Remember, the more information you send us, the quicker we can resolve the problem

We will then investigate and resolve the issue for you.