Troubleshooting Access to the SDSL Databases

It's always a good time to use the State Library's 50+ free, vetted e-resources and databases for research, literacy, and inquiry. 

For more efficient access for teachers and students, the State Library has categorized the K-12 databases into elementary, middle, and high.

Librarians can also link specific databases to their websites, blogs, online newsletters, OPACs, etc. Visit Technical Help on our Resource Guides.

WAYS TO ACCESS

There are three options depending on your circumstance:

1. QUICK: Instantly anywhere with the physical borders of South Dakota through nifty IP tracking technology called GeoIP.
   
   
2. QUICK BUT DEVICE SPECIFIC: Instantly at school with registered school devices. If new devices have been purchased, it's likely SDSL will need the new IP range from your school. Contact Kim Bonen for that.
   
   
3. HANDY WHEN TRAVELING OUT OF STATE: Each school has an SDSL ecard. Students, parents, and staff are able to use those login credentials to access most of the databases when out of state. Those credentials can also be used if GeoIP ever fails (which it hasn't yet in over two years!). Just ask your librarian or contact the State Library for those credentials. *You are free to give your barcode and password out to students, teachers, & parents; however, we ask that you do not post it anywhere online, as that would violate our vendor contracts and lead to possible termination of databases.

TROUBLESHOOTING 

Occasionally, even with GeoIP, you might see a random login screen. If you do, this is usually a device issue and can usually be remedied on your own.

Here are some things to try if you are having trouble accessing the SDSL databases:

• Try using Google Chrome, Microsoft Edge, or Firefox as your internet browser - NOT Internet Explorer.
• Clear your internet browser’s cache (history), close out of the browser, reopen the browser, then try to access the database
• Are you using the correct link? Most SDSL databases use a "SD Share It" link. A quick way to tell is by looking at your internet browser's address bar after clicking on the database link. The URL extension will appear there for a few seconds while the database page is loading. It should look like this:

If you still can't solve it, here are some questions you may be asked:

• Is there a specific SDSL database that you are unable to access?
• Can you access any of the SDSL databases?
• Are you attempting to access a SDSL database within a library/school or outside the building?
• Are you attempting to access a SDSL database within the state of South Dakota or out of state?
• What website are you visiting to access the database and what URL link are you clicking on?
• Did your library/school recently install a new computer system with a new IP address?

Kim Bonen, our Digital Resources Coordinator, has created a resource for troubleshooting access issues. This can be found at Troubleshooting Help on SDSL's Resource Guides. And, of course, feel free to call or email with questions.