The Library at the University of Aberdeen provides resources in a variety of formats and many are available electronically. Most can be accessed by members of the University from any location,
as long as there is access to the internet. This information guide provides general guidance on accessing the e-resources which the University subscribes to. These include e-journals, e-books and databases.
Tools for finding information
Primo
Primo, the Library’s discovery tool, searches across our collections of printed and online resources as well as our Special Collections and Museums collections. It is the recommended access route to all our electronic resources. To access our e-resources:
- Either use the Find Databases option in Primo
- Or use Library guides: there are guides to subject specific resources available. Some may be held in Library folders for specific courses in MyAberdeen.
Search engines
There are many search engines, including Google and Google Scholar, that provide access to good quality authoritative information if you know how to search them properly. However, it is essential that you evaluate the authority and reliability of information retrieved from searches on the internet. See below how the 'RADAR' framework can help you ask important questions in the process of evaluating an information source.
We recommend that you don’t use Google to find and link to our e-resources as you may experience difficulties in being recognised as a subscriber and may be asked to pay to access full-text material.
Authentication routes for access to e-resources
To access the databases and e-book collections that the University of Aberdeen subscribes to, you must prove that you are a member of the University.
- Most resources require a Shibboleth/institutional login, a process of authentication which requires your computer username and password.
- Some resources use authentication via IP address, whereby the means of authentication is the network you are on.
- A very small selection of academic e-resources require a special username and password. A list of usernames and passwords for those can be found on this password-protected page.
To check the authentication route for a database, use Primo. Select Find Databases and type the name of a database into the search box, then click on Available Online. This will take you to the database’s information page.
Accessing e-resources on-campus
- A) On-campus access using network PCs
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University computers in classrooms, libraries, offices and halls of residence have been set up by IT Services to access our e-resources. Navigate to Primo and sign in at the top right-hand corner. Use the Find Databases tab in Primo to search for and link to the database or e-book collection you require or use the relevant Library guide. For your selected resource click on Available Online and link to it. If prompted for a further login, follow the steps below:
- Look for the sign in or log in option that may be described as Institution, Institutional or Shibboleth
- Select: UK Access Management Federation
- Choose or type institution: University of Aberdeen
- ype in your University computer username and password
- B) On-campus access using personal devices
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Connect to the University’s wireless network eduroam. More information can be found online at www.abdn.ac.uk/it/student/wireless/index.php. Once you have established a connection with the University’s wireless network navigate to Primo and sign in at the top right-hand corner, or use the relevant Library guide. Use the Find Databases tab in Primo to search for and link to the database or e-book collection you require or use the relevant Library guide. If prompted for a further login, use the steps above for a Shibboleth login.
Accessing e-resources off-campus
- A) Off-campus access to resources requiring a Shibboleth/institutional login
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Use the Find Databases option in Primo or relevant Library guides. When off-campus, you may be asked to sign in via your institution. Database providers use different terminology but the sign in process may involve all or some of the following steps:
- Once you have linked to the database from Primo, look for the sign in or log in option that may be described as Institution, Institutional or Shibboleth
- Select: UK Access Management Federation
- Choose or type institution: University of Aberdeen
- Type in your University computer username and password
- B) Off-campus access to resources requiring an IP address authentication
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To access these resources off-campus, you must use the University’s Virtual Desktop Infrastructure (VDI). This makes your device look as if it is a campus-based device. Via the VDI you can also access classroom software associated with your login details and your H: drive. For instructions on how to use the VDI, please see the relevant section on Toolkit, the University’s gateway to learning resources. The Toolkit can be accessed at: https://www.abdn.ac.uk/toolkit/
Once you have established a connection with the University’s network, double-click on Library Resources and select Primo – Library Holdings. Then proceed to a database search via the Find Databases option in Primo.
- C) Off-campus access to academic databases requiring a special username and password (e.g. Estates Gazette Interactive, Lloyd's Law Reports)
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Obtain the relevant username and password for selected databases from a password-protected page (see above). Please note that the usernames and passwords on this page are for use by University of Aberdeen staff and students only.
Note: Working behind a firewall?
If you are working on a computer that is protected by a firewall and you want to access our e-resources from an organisational network, you should seek the assistance of your own IT department.
Search tips
- Use Primo and remember to sign in.To link to databases and e-book collections click on Find Databases and use the category index or search box.
- To link to e-journals use the Journal Search option and type the title of a journal into the search box.
- To search for and link to individual e-books enter your keywords into the search box and look for the Available Online option.
Help and advice
IT Service Desk for advice or problems on setting up access to electronic resources
Contact details at www.abdn.ac.uk/it/student/help/index.php
Information Consultants for advice on finding and searching resources
Contact details at www.abdn.ac.uk/library/support/contacts-106.php#panel162
Library guides
Explore our Primo Library guides at www.abdn.ac.uk/library/support/primo.php
Revised by Eleni Borompoka, February 2024