Access Library resources from off-site

Not on campus? Not a problem!

Did you know that Library resources can be accessed wherever you are in the world?

While you are a student at Cranfield you have full access to our online resources even if you are not based on site or even in the UK. In some circumstances you can also still access our print resources. Want to know more? Read on…

“I need access to a database from home.”

The best way to ensure that you can access the full online resources that Cranfield offers is to access them via our website – either our Databases A-Z page, our subject or course guides, or our online business resources – NOT through a Google search!. Accessing databases through our web pages will send you directly to the correct login screen for Cranfield users. Just log in using your Cranfield details and you should be taken to the database with full access to the articles and documents, just as if you were sitting on site.

If you do use Google to find a database look for a login/sign in option, and choose ‘Institutional access’ or ‘OpenAthens’ login. Search for or select Cranfield University and then login using your Cranfield details when prompted. You should be able to access the full resource if we subscribe to it, but it is a less direct route.

• TIP: do not use the extranet (VPN) as most resources will be incompatible.

There are a few resources which require individual registration or are not available off-site. If you have any problems accessing a Cranfield resource off-site, please email us.

“I need to read a book but cannot get to the Library.”

Many of our books are available as eBooks. You just need to search for the book title on Library Search and limit your results to online only materials. eBooks in Library Search are indicated by a pink banner, ‘To read this online, click the link below’ or ‘Electronic Access’, with a link to access the online book.

How you can read the book will vary; some titles let you download a PDF copy, others will restrict you to reading the book online. If you cannot access an eeBook at the first attempt, try again later as some books have a limit on the number of users who can access them at the same time.

“I want to read a journal article but it’s asking me to pay!”

Do not pay to read online articles! Most articles you need will be available from the Library. To access full text articles search for the article title in Library Search and follow the links to find the full text, or you can check to see whether we have the journal using the eJournals link. Search for the journal title and follow the links to full text access. You may be prompted to log in using your Cranfield details to authenticate yourself.

If we don’t have access to the article you need, you can use our interlibrary loans service to request a copy.

“The book/report/article I need is only available as a print copy and I am not on site – help!”

Some of our books or documents may only be available in print and not online. If you are not based on campus and cannot visit us to read print items we have in stock, then we may be able to email you a scanned copy of a chapter or article, or if you are based in the UK or ROI we may be able to send you a book through the postal service. You can read more about our postal and scanning services for print materials on our website.

“I have finished my course at Cranfield. Can I still access the Library resources?”

Your access does not stop once you leave Cranfield. As a registered alumnus can use Alumni Library Online via the alumni portal to access a selection of our online resources for personal use after you have graduated, and you are welcome to visit us if you are ever on site – we would love to see you!

You can find out more about accessing resources from off-site on our website, or if you have any questions or problems accessing Library resources, email us and we will help you.

 

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