World Book Update

As discussed before (see below), Verizon FIOS users cannot access World Book through geo-authentication. Recent changes to the World Book portal page resulted in users who are rejected to be presented with a prompt for a username and password. AskRI does not have a username and password.

Users who cannot be geo-authenticated need to go back to the AskRI homepage and click on the link Access World Book with a library card. The AskRI page will be updated as soon as possible to include this information.

Libraries may wish to update their pages and add this link and the following text:

http://www.worldbookonline.com/wb/Login?ed=lib&acct=00M7105
Access World Book with library card
(for Verizon FIOS customers and out-of-state Rhode Islanders)

World Book is working on a solution to this problem, which we hope to have rolled out in the next month or two. Look for an announcement on the OLIS home page.

About Verizon FIOS: Internet access for Verizon FIOS is presently routed through New York. When these customers try to access geographically authenticated databases (Homework Help, World Book), they show up as being in New York and are denied access. These users will have to enter a library bar code to access geographically authenticated databases. We apologize for the inconvenience.

Updates on HomeworkHelpRI

Check out the new Homework Help RI interface between 2 and 10 pm, 7 days a week.

Please note the addition of the Career Center, which provides resources to adults, and the Skills Center Resource Library, which contains standardized tests and GED and citizenship test prep, among many other useful resources. These resources are available 24/7, but users must currently enter their library card number.

Reminder about EBSCO Databases Access from School Libraries (and others)

The links for EBSCO on the homepage of AskRI allow IP authentication of all libraries. This will result in seamless access from within all libraries and school libraries for whom we have IP addresses and prompt users for zip codes or library bar codes for access outside of libraries.

If you are within a school and want to access OSL databases (e.g., Novelist, Biography, Literary, Points of View), you must click on the "Access all EBSCO databases" text link on AskRI and enter your OSL library card number. Please note that this access is for personal use, not institutional use. Please respect this contractual arrangement so that access continues to be available within schools.

For libraries without EBSCO contracts through their library or consortium, please update EBSCO links on your library webpage to:
http://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?authtype=ip,cpid&custid=ns145344

To link to individual databases, copy the links on the EBSCO Databases page. These will also enable seamless access from within libraries and prompt users for zip codes or library bar codes outside of libraries.

For more information on linking to EBSCO databases, see the November 19, 2008 update.

If you still have problems linking to EBSCO or it doesn't do what you think it should contact Karen Mellor at OLIS.

AskRI Website: General Linking & PR Information

The Librarians' Resource Center has a link to logos and linking information. This page contains the most current information on where and how to link to statewide databases.

This page also provides links to publicity materials and vendor websites (with additional PR and marketing information). This resource is being updated on a regular basis as we develope collateral for marketing statewide databases.

Please check this website and the Librarians' Resource Center on AskRI for current information.

If you have questions or comments about the electronic resources available at AskRI.org, please contact Karen Mellor at OLIS or Kathyellen Bullard at the Providence Public Library.

Please check previous AskRI News to review status of known issues:
Feb. 2 | Jan. 12 | Nov. 19 | Oct. 15 | Oct. 3 | Sept. 25, 2008