Accessing electronic resources
At the University of Portsmouth, we use an authentication system that enables you to use your University username and password, the same one you use for Moodle, to access most of the Library’s electronic resources such as e-books and e-journals, either on campus or more especially when working away from the University campus. Alternatively, you can set up the University VPN.
If you haven't yet set up your username and password, you can do so online. If you have problems creating an account please see the Information Services pages for assistance. Information Services also provides help for forgotten usernames and passwords.
Setting up VPN
You can use the University VPN (Virtual Private Network) to browse the Internet as if you are on campus, which enables easy access to e-resources by reducing the need to login. For instructions on setting up the VPN for your particular device visit the VPN page on My Port for more information.
Logging in via Authentication
If you prefer not to set up the VPN or you are using a shared or public computer then you can use our authentication system instead. Electronic resources are purchased by the Library from a number of different publishers and suppliers, many of whom also provide usernames and passwords to individual subscribers (not universities). Therefore, you will often see an initial username and password box which you need to ignore. Instead, you will need to look for, and click on a link which might say Institution/Institutional Login, Shibboleth or Academic Sign-in.
Once you have clicked on the link, most electronic resources will go to a screen that asks you to identify which organisation you are from. You will need to either type 'University of Portsmouth' into a search box or choose us from a series of drop down boxes. You may be required to select that you are from the UK before seeing a list of Institutions.
You will then be taken to a University of Portsmouth log in page. Enter your University login details and you should gain access to the resource. If you are accessing electronic resources from a number of different publishers and suppliers, you may notice after accessing a number of full-text results that one or more of the steps above are missed out when you try to login. This is because the details you have entered will be recognised and remembered until you logout or close your Internet browser.
Resources which require a separate username and password
A few of our resources do not work with our authentication system and require a separate username and password to login, especially from off-campus. There is a passwords for resources page with login details for these resources on the Library website. From this page click on the passwords for resources link and then login by clicking on the blue login button on the right hand side of this page and using your University username and password. Once logged in you will see an alphabetical list of suppliers with information about accessing them.
Need Help?
If you have any problems logging into our resources then please chat to us online or email us at library@port.ac.uk
Useful links