UC Berkeley Library

Frequently Asked Questions

Content section: 

FAQ v2.0

Questions? Ask Us!

The proxy server has changed - how and why?

In April 2012, the library made major changes to its proxy server, used for off-campus access to journal article databases and other licensed electronic resources. These changes prevent unauthorized access to licensed resources, improve efficiency, and also simplify setup requirements in most cases.

For most users, the change is transparent

The existing proxy URLs in current users' web browser settings will continue to work. For new users, revised setup instructions now give a single URL to use, whether they prefer the CalNet or Patron/PIN login method. A combined login screen provides a choice between these two methods.

Here's what may affect you

  1. The new proxy server requires that your web browser accept all cookies, including "third party cookies." If you would prefer not to do this, there are several alternatives:
    • Configure your browser to delete cookies on exit, and exit at the end of each web browsing session. You can also delete cookies manually whenever you like. Here are instructions for Firefox, Google Chrome, Internet Explorer, Safari, and Safari for iPad.
    • Use a different browser when you access licensed resources. Configure it to use the proxy, and to accept all cookies.
    • In a browser that supports profiles, like Firefox, configure one profile for proxy use with all cookies allowed, and one for other use.
    • Instead of the proxy server, use the VPN (Virtual Private Network) system.
  2. To improve security, those using the Patron/PIN login method will now need to enter the email address associated with their library account. If you're not sure which email address you use for this purpose, log into My OskiCat and use the address displayed there.
  3. As with the previous proxy server, databases whose URLs begin with "https" will return an error message, unless you first visit an "http" resource such as the Oxford English Dictionary (http://www.oed.com/)

For more information see the Connect from off-campus page.

If you encounter issues not resolved with the information above, please report them using Proxy Technical Problem Report form.

I'm a new student/staff/faculty member. How do I get a library card?

For UC Berkeley registered students, faculty, instructors, lecturers and staff, your Cal 1 Card serves as your library card for borrowing materials and for access to the Main (Gardner) Stacks, Moffitt Library, the Media Resources Center and other areas requiring a Cal ID.

UC Berkeley unregistered undergraduates or graduate students on filing fee status can apply to have your library privileges extended. Visiting Scholars can also apply for library privileges.

If you have questions:

Privileges Desk

Doe Library, Floor 1
(510) 642-3403
privdesk@library.berkeley.edu

During Spring and Fall Semester:
M-F: 9am - 4:45pm
Sat-Sun: 1pm - 4:45pm

Check the Library Hours database for up-to-date hours information.

How do I find out about library events and exhibits?

We have a calendar of events that lists classes, exhibits, readings and more from across the UCB libraries. You can also subscribe to RSS feeds for several categories of events.

Can I use Zotero to save citations from OskiCat or Melvyl?

When you want to capture a reference in Zotero from a library catalog such as OskiCat or Melvyl:

  1. After completing your search, click on the full record of the item so that it is fully displayed on the page as a single entity.
  2. Open Zotero.  Three large windows will appear.  The first at the far left contains your library collections (where you create and store file folders).  The second is where individual references or "titles" are displayed.  The third is where the elements of the citation are displayed, and also offers the opportunity to annotate citations.
  3. To add a citation, go to the URL box at the top of the page.  If it’s a book, you should notice a tiny blue book icon located after the URL.  Other icons appear for different media.
  4. Click on that icon and the citation will automatically appear in the far right field of Zotero.

Visit the Zotero site for documentation, support, and tutorials.

Do library computers have programs like MatLab, SPSS, Stata, Stat/Transfer, ArcGIS, and Microsoft Office applications installed?

  • The Data Lab in Doe Library offers full access to ARCGIS, R, SAS, SPSS, Stat Transfer, and Stata to students needing to use and manipulate numeric data sets, as well as a scanner available to any researcher:
  • Many UC Berkeley libraries provide word processing and desktop applications on public computers (CalNet ID required). See the list of software on public computers.
  • Students, faculty and staff can also purchase educational copies of many software programs from the campus at Software Central

Data Lab 189 Doe Library

 

I was looking up a journal in OskiCat that turned out to be located at the NRLF. I noticed a link that read "Request an electronic copy from NRLF." Is this free, and/or too good to be true?

This service is both free and easy. UC Berkeley faculty, students, staff, and patrons with a library card, may use OskiCat to request electronic copies of book chapters, conference papers, or journal articles located at the NRLF. For eligible journal or book titles at NRLF, you'll see this message in the item's OskiCat record:

Title Computers in industry
Imprint [Amsterdam] North-
Holland Pub. Co
Link to online version(s):
Request an electronic copy from NRLF

v.1(1979)- ScienceDirect. Restricted to UC campuses

The documents (PDFs) will be posted to the Web within two working days. NRLF will notify you via email when the document is ready. Requests for articles, etc., from "RESTRICTED USE" items, and requests for entire publications/issues, will not be filled.

What is an 'Affiliated Library?'

There are two types of libraries on campus: The University Library system and the Affiliated Libraries. The former includes Doe/Moffitt and the subject specialty libraries, while the latter are typically connected to particular departments, professional schools, or organized research institutes.

I am an emeritus UCB faculty member, and in My OskiCat, the Inventory screen lists a date for the expiration of my library privileges - why? So far as I know there is no expiration date for faculty library privileges. Please clarify.

In the case of emeritus faculty, the expiration date is something of an automatically renewed "placeholder" that denotes an ongoing appointment -  it exists more for our finite term users such as alumni, CA residents and students from other universities whose accounts actually do expire.The expiration you see as an emeritus faculty will move forward in congruence with every new semester to always stay approximately two years into the future.

OskiCat requires that all users have some finite expiration date in their accounts.

How do I add the catalog information for the items I already have checked out to the "My List" section on OskiCat? This is useful if I need this information after I have returned books to the library.

Once you are logged in to My OskiCat you can view the entire inventory of items you have checked out. Click on the title of an item in your inventory and save it using "Save Records" button. Return to your inventory to add more items this way (unfortunately, you can't add several items at once from the list of checked out items). Once you save one or more items, you can click the "View Saved" button and add titles to a new or saved list by clicking the "Save to My Lists" button. In My OskiCat, view "My Lists" to see the lists you have created.

How can Berkeley patrons request material from Stanford via the Research Library Cooperative Program (RLCP)?

UC Berkeley graduate students, faculty, and academic staff have special access to Stanford's library collections through the Research Library Cooperative Program.  However, OskiCat does not allow UC Berkeley users to make direct requests for material from the Stanford catalog. 

When you want to submit a request for an item in Stanford's library catalog, open our Research Library Cooperative Program page.  It provides information on the program, and links to the Stanford library catalog and to the request form.

Use the citation you find in Stanford's catalog to complete the RLCP request form.

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