FAQs - Off Campus Access Problems?

• Who can use library resources remotely?
  
  
• Sealy Library electronic information resources are accessible from off campus to John Jay College students, faculty and staff provided they have a College email account or a current CUNY ID with the library barcode on the back of the card.
  
  
• What do I need to access library resources remotely?
  
  
• To access library resources remotely, John Jay College students, faculty and staff must have a College email account. Current students are automatically assigned email accounts. New Faculty will need to request an email account by calling the DoIT Help Desk at 212-237-8200. For additional details check the Frequently Asked Questions for Email.
  
  
• You may use the library barcode on the back of your CUNY library as an alternate means of accessing the databases. Go to the CUNY web page E-Journals and Reference Databases and follow the instructions.
  
  
• How do I enter my John Jay email user name and password?  
  
  
• When you click on the title of a database, you will be prompted for your John Jay email user name and password. Your user name is the letters preceeding the @ sign in your email address. For example the email address for John Smith is john.smith@jjay.cuny.edu Enter john.smith in the user name box. Unless you changed your email password, it is the letters jj + the last 4 digits of your social security number i.e. jj1234
  
  If you can't remember your email password, call the DoIT office at (212) 237-8200 any day between 8 AM and 12 Midnight or email helpdesk@jjay.cuny.edu.
  
  
• What should I do if my email account is not working or I forgot my username or password?  
  
  
• Students and faculty who are having problems with their John Jay email account, should call the Department of Information Technology (DoIT) Help Desk at 212-237-8200, everyday 8AM - 12 midnight, or send email to helpdesk@jjay.cuny.edu. Students in need of assistance learning how to use email should go to the Instructional Technology Support Services Lab, Rm 1404 North Hall.
  
  
• What versions of web browsers work best for accessing library resources?
  
  
• CUNY + and the licensed electronic databases should work well with these web browsers: Microsoft Internet Explorer version 5.0 and above, Netscape Navigator version 6.2 and above, and Mozilla Firefox. Earlier versions may have problems.
  
  
• Why do I have difficulty accessing John Jay's electronic information databases when I am using my computer at work?
  
  
• The firewall on some office networks may block the specific ports which the John Jay Library's proxy server uses in providing access to the licensed electronic databases.
  
  
• Are there any alternatives for accessing the databases when the John Jay Library web pages are not available?
  
  
• You may try accessing the databases through the CUNY Databases web page. With this method, you only have access to the specific databases that CUNY has purchased for all CUNY libraries
  
  
• How can I get help with my research from off campus? 
  
  
• Librarians are available to consult about research by telephone during Library hours at (212) 237-8247.  If the phone is not answered, the librarian is away from the desk, most likely helping other researchers.  Email reference is also available at Ask A Librarian  
  
  
• Helpful guides for some of the electronic databases have been prepared by the John Jay librarians. Select an appropriate database guide. You may also consult the help pages within the particular database. Look for a link that says Help or Tips.
  
  
• How do I access Electronic Reserve materials from a computer off-campus?  
  
  
• To access Electronic Reserve materials, click on "Electronic Reserve" which is located as the second item in the left column on the Library homepage. Click on RESERVE READINGS from column on the left. Click on third tab, Course Reserve Pages by Instructor. Select your instructor from the drop down menu and click the View button. Click on the Course Number, and enter the course password that your instructor gave to you. Read the copyright notice and click Accept. You will see a list of the course readings.
  
• You need to have Adobe Acrobat Reader software in order to read or print items that are stored as pdf files (most reserve readings are). If you don't already have it on your computer, you can download the software for free from the Adobe web site.
  
• To print a file using Adobe Acrobat, use the printer icon on the Adobe Acrobat taskbar that loads whenever you open a pdf file (below your Web browser toolbar). Do not use your Web browser's print icon, etc.
  
• Members of the faculty who would like to set up electronic reserves should contact the reserve librarian James Kuslan at jkuslan@jjay.cuny.edu
  
  
• How do I get into the Blackboard site for my course? 
  
  
• You can access Blackboard via this link directly or navigate from the College home page, under John Jay Students, select Blackboard Online. You will be prompted to login with your CUNY portal login.  
  
• To access Blackboard, you must have a CUNY portal account. To apply for an account, you must navigate to the CUNY portal page and click the Login link at bottom of left navigation bar, then click Register Now! Once you have registered, you will create your own login password (don't forget to press the submit button after entering your desired password). For additional help with Blackboard, see the Login in to Blackboard section.
  
  
• Do I need to login to use CUNY+?
  
  
• No, anyone can use the library catalog.  However, some electronic resources may be restricted to John Jay or CUNY users.  For these you will be prompted for your John Jay email username and password.