MUL e-resources are accessed by off-campus patrons via the library's proxy server (download a 1-page PDF summary of this information).
Having a patron record in Sierra DOES NOT have any impact on off-campus access. Off-campus access is determined by the user's status in the Miami University directory. Only current staff and faculty and students currently enrolled in classes have legitimate access to library e-resources off-campus.
Project Dragonfly and "affiliated researchers": see the LibAnswers FAQ for details.
All MU patrons should be instructed to access library e-resources through the proxied links found in the library catalog, A to Z lists, and LibGuides. This ensures that they will be authenticated if they are off-campus.
Signing in to Miami's VPN no longer provides access to library e-resources while off-campus.
In order to get to Library e-resources, patrons must be coming from a Miami IP address. In the past, logging in to the VPN provided this for the patrons. IT Services recently changed the way the VPN worked so that it no longer appears to be coming from Miami if you are going to an off-campus resource. The Libraries run a proxy server to enable off campus users to get to resources. The URLs on the Library web pages direct off-campus users through the proxy server so they appear to be coming from Miami. Many faculty have e-resources bookmarked on their computers that do not go through the proxy server. The VPN used to work for them but it does not work now. They need to use the proxy server in order to get to the resource.
An extension of Google Scholar’s Subscriber Links service, CASA makes note of a user’s institutional affiliation when they access content from an authorized on-campus location, and then enables continued access to their library’s e-resources from home or when using a device not connected to the institution’s network.
CASA makes it easier for patrons to access MUL content from anywhere without the need for proxied links or other off-campus authentication systems. Subscribing institutions are still able to adhere to the terms of license agreements and copyright laws. Users must access MUL e-resources on-campus at least every 30 days to maintain this off-campus access. Additionally, material accessed via CASA is correctly attributed to the subscribing institution, so usage statistics remain accurate.
The following publishers/vendors currently participate in CASA: