Wednesday, January 19, 2022

Using the Online Library Resources offered by Jawaharlal Nehru University, New Delhi. [using jstor as an example]

Hello, traveller.

This is a step by step guide for accessing the online library resources offered by Jawaharlal Nehru University (JNU).

DISCLAIMER: 

1. Whatever I am writing here, I am pulling from my own experiences as a student. Things might be different for you. This is an independent post, by which I mean that I am not writing this under the direction or supervision of any authority.

2. If you encounter the following page (or some version of it) while trying to follow the given steps...

The browser prompts you that the connection is not private. The options "Advanced" and "Back to safety" are given.
The browser prompts you that the connection is not private.

...click "Advanced". Then click on some variation of the "accept risk and continue" option.

Click the boxed option.


3. I am using Google Chrome as my browser. You may use any browser of your choice.

With the disclaimers out of the way, let's begin.
 
Step 1. Make sure you have your CIS ID and password. 
The Communication & Information Services (CIS) provides every student with a CIS ID and password via SMS. Please be advised that this process can take time and you might have to wait for a while.
But if your classmates have received their credentials, and you are an anxious butterfly like me, feel free to contact the CIS via email (director_cis@mail.jnu.ac.in) and convey to them your situation. They are very helpful and will get back to you shortly.

Step 2. Visit https://ezproxy.jnu.ac.in/login . You will be greeted with this screen.

Screenshot of ezproxy.jnu.ac.in/login
Screenshot of ezproxy.jnu.ac.in/login

Enter your user ID and password. Click the yellow "Login" button.


Step 3. Behold the treasure that has been made available to you. Note the heading "Gateway to E-Resources @ JNU".


Screenshot of the screen when you successfully log in. Showcasing the list of Full Text Databases.
Screenshot of the Fulltext Databases when you successfully log in

Screenshot of the screen when you successfully log in - Continued. Showcasing the available E-Journals, part 1.
Screenshot of the list of the E-Journals when you successfully log in

Screenshot of the screen when you successfully log in - Continued. Showcasing the available E-Journals, part 2.
Screenshot of the list of the E-Journals when you successfully log in - Continued

Screenshot of the screen when you successfully log in - Continued. Showcasing the available E-Journals, part 3.
Screenshot of the list of the E-Journals when you successfully log in - Continued


...and the list goes on.

Step 4. Click on a database of your own choice.

Keep in mind that some of these databases/websites will ask you to make a separate account and/or install a software.

Here, I am using JStor as an example, partly because it is hassle-free.

Clicking on the JStor link (located at the bottom of the Fulltext Databases sectionwill land you here:

Screenshot of the JStor homepage when accessed after following the aforementioned steps.
Screenshot of the JStor homepage when accessed after following the aforementioned steps.


Note the URL in the address bar and the "Access provided by जवाहरलाल नेहरू विश्वविद्यालय" message at the top of the page. These indicate the fact that you are using the JStor website via JNU's proxy server and that the university has granted you access to the website.

Screenshot of the top section of the browser window when one accesses the JStor homepage after following the aforementioned steps. The URL and the message "Access provided by जवाहरलाल नेहरू विश्वविद्यालय" are put in a blue-outlined box.
Screenshot of the top section of the browser window when one accesses the JStor homepage after following the aforementioned steps.



Although there is the option of "Register" and "Log in" at the top right corner of the screen, you do not need to do either of those things for downloading an article.
If you wish to save an article online for future references, and not download it in your system, you must register/log in.

Step 5. Type in your keyword and press the enter key. Alternatively, you can click on the magnifying glass icon at the right of the text field.

Something like the following screen will appear.

Screenshot of the results of the search query, "sun and moon". Also displayed are the images related to the search query. On the left hand side, a number of options are given to filter or narrow the search results.
Screenshot of the results of the search query "sun and moon" on JStor.

Here, you can use a number of options given on the left-hand side to filter or narrow the search results.

Step 6. Click an article of your choice to view it in a reading window (see image below). Or directly download it using the red "Download" button.

It is possible that some of these articles may not come with the "Download" option on the right-hand side. This can happen if the university has not subscribed to that particular article/book/resource.

Screenshot of the journal article "Sun and Moon" by Jane Kenyon on JStor. Also displayed are the options to get the proper citation of the article and other details. The "Cite this item" option is on the left-hand side. The red "Download" option is available on the upper right-hand side of the page
Screenshot of the journal article "Sun and Moon" by Jane Kenyon on JStor.

There are many options you can explore, the most important of them being the "Cite this item" on the left-hand side. The red "Download" option is available on the upper right-hand side of the page.

Click on the download option. You will be prompted to accept the terms and conditions of the website. Click on "Accept and download". Your article will either start downloading or open in a new browser tab depending on your system settings. If the latter happens, you'll have the option to download the file.

Either way, the end product is a pdf file.


Happy reading.
I hope I could be of help.
The End.

P.S.: be sure to ask any questions that you might have. Until next time.

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