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Reference Databases Help

Using these online reference databases from outside a Timberland library requires:

• a valid Timberland library card number
• a browser that supports Javascript and accepts session cookies.

When you connect to an online reference database from outside a Timberland library, you will be prompted to enter your library card number. The system checks to be sure that you have entered a valid Timberland library card number.

If you typed a valid card number, the system will create a "session" cookie on your computer that gives you up to one hour of access to the Timberland reference databases.  During the hour when the session cookie is valid, you can connect to any of the reference databases on the Timberland menu without needing to re-type your library card number.

Frequently Asked Questions about remote access to Reference Databases

1. After I enter my library card number, there is a long wait and I get the message "Time Out on Reply from Service".

• This message indicates a problem on the server that verifies your library card number. Please contact Timberland's Ask A Librarian by email or call 704-4636 in the Olympia area, or 1-800-562-6022 for help.

2. After I enter my library card number I get the message "Sorry. Your library barcode number is not recognized."

• You may have made a mistake typing in your library card barcode number. Try retyping it.
• If it has been awhile since you used your library card, it may not be valid any more. Please contact Timberland's Ask A Librarian by email or call 704-4636 in the Olympia area, or 1-800-562-6022 for help.

3. Although my library barcode number is accepted, I still get prompted for a login name and password by the reference resource site.

• Try connecting to one or more other reference databases.
  • If you can get to other databases, the problem may be a temporary issue at the first site you tried to access.
• Do you have a personal firewall or a hardware firewall or router installed?
  • Many firewalls automatically block cookies. If your browser accepts cookies and you are still getting prompted for a user name and password, you may need to change the configuration to accept cookies from Timberland and from the database vendor.
  • If you are using Norton Internet Security 2003, 2004 or 2005, you will probably need to modify the default configuration of the software to allow your computer to pass information to the reference database vendors verifying that you have been authenticated as an authorized Timberland patron.
    • For Norton Internet Security 2003, see Configuring Norton Internet Security 2003 for use with Timberland Reference Databases for instructions.
    • For Norton Internet Security 2004 and 2005, see Configuring Norton Internet Security 2004 or 2005 for use with Timberland Reference Databases for instructions. 
  • If you are using ZoneAlarm Pro, you probably need to allow 3rd Party Cookies. See Configuring ZoneAlarm Pro for use with Timberland Reference Databases.
• Is your browser set up to accept session cookies?
  • In order to get remote access to Timberland's reference resource databases, your browser must accept cookies.
• If you are using IE 5.5 or later, you may need to adjust your browser Privacy settings to accept cookies from Timberland and the database vendors.
  • Privacy settings are under Tools, Internet Options, Privacy. 
• Are you are in a school or office?
  • There may be a single firewall protecting the whole organization.  Your technical support staff will need to configure the firewall to allow third party cookies from Timberland and the reference database vendors in order to get access to many of the Reference Resources.
• Are you using a Mac?
  • Netscape usually works better than IE on Macs.
• Trying clearing your browser cache.
• If you are still having problems. please contact Timberland's Ask A Librarian by email or call 704-4636 in the Olympia area, or 1-800-562-6022 for help.

If you have comments, questions or information to add to our FAQ about your experience with remote access to reference databases, browsers, and error messages please email us.

Revised 11/04/09