Q. How do I connect from off-campus?

Some library materials only exist in print. Although you need to come in to the library to use our print collections, many electronic resources (including the library databases and e-journals) can be accessed from anywhere by current UWM students (not alumni), staff, and faculty (including emerti) with their own Internet access.

Due to contractual terms, remote access to library subscriptions by individuals not listed above is not possible. Unrestricted access to our licensed resources is only available from the Milwaukee campus, UWM at Washington County, and UWM at Waukesha. Milwaukee locations include the Golda Meir library building, computer labs, offices, and residence halls using the UWM network. This does not include Public WiFi.

The best place to begin accessing online library sources is through the UWM Libraries Homepage. You can use Search@UW without restrictions. However, in order to access most resources, you will need to authenticate using your ePanther ID and password. If you have a link from an article or media that you found outside UWM Libraries search tools, you can use the off-campus url generator to make a link that will work with our sign-on system. This will not work for sources that are not licensed or owned by the UWM Libraries. When in doubt, you can request articles restricted by paywalls using interlibrary loan.

Troubleshooting

Our remote access control mechanism is handled by the campus Unified Digital Identity (UDI). Your digital identity at UWM is made up of three parts: your user name, password and multi-factor authentication. If you are experiencing issues with signing in (except as noted below), contact the Help Desk for assistance.

• If you are currently enrolled or employed at UWM and able to access other UDI sites, such as Canvas, but are unable to sign-in to library sites, please contact the Library Circulation Desk (libcirc@uwm.edu) for help in fixing your account.
   
• If you are encountering an EZproxy error message (such as "Host Needed"), please let us know via Ask a Librarian.
   
• For assistance working with Multi-factor Authentication, please refer to the university's Multifactor Authentication site.
   
• Signing in requires that your browser accept cookies. These help pages contain instructions for enabling cookies and clearing your cache and cookies for common browsers
  • Google Chrome: Enable Cookies
  • Google Chrome: Clear Cache and Cookies
  • Mozilla Firefox: Edit Cookie Settings
  • Mozilla Firefox: Clear Cache and Cookies
  • Safari (Mac): Privacy Settings
     
• VPN Users: The Campus VPN is available, however, it is not configured to work with remote access to library databases; you may need to re-authenticate or disconnect from the VPN in order for library links to function properly.

Remember: As a UWM Student, staff, or faculty member, you never have to pay for access to a book or article. Even if the item you're looking for is not part of our print/online holdings, you can obtain a copy a no cost (to you) by using our Interlibrary loan services. See How do I find materials the UWM libraries do not own? for more information.