Since the change to TTC’s (and the library’s) new website, some people have had a problem trying to access the online databases through the off-campus link. At least part of the issue is whether or not your computer is set up to accept “cookies,” a word you may have seen mentioned in the message you received after you tried to access the databases.  A “cookie” is simply a small bit of information that a web server can temporarily store in your web browser.  While most people will allow some cookies into their computers, others decide for a variety of reasons (privacy being a primary one) not to accept any cookies. Entry into the library’s databases from off-campus requires that you accept “cookies.”  So, the way you can do that is by taking the following steps:

IF YOU USE THE EXPLORER BROWSER

While you are in your Internet browser, click the “Tools” link (usually at the top of the page) on the tool bar.

1. From the resulting drop-down menu, click “Internet Options.”
2. You’ll see a set of tabs appear; select the one named “Privacy.”
3. At this point, you should see an “Advanced” button about half-way down the “privacy” tab.  Click it.
4. Now you should make sure the button beside “Override automatic handling of cookies” has a check mark in it.  If it doesn’t, click inside the button to make the check appear.
5. Then make sure that there are check marks beside “Accept” under “First-party cookies” and under “Third-party cookies.”
6. Click OK at the bottom of the “Advanced Privacy Settings” page.
7. Now click OK at the bottom of the “Internet Options” page.
8. You should now be able to log-in from off-campus and use the online databases.

Should you desire to return “no cookies accepted” on your computer, simply go back to locations listed above and “undo” what you set up with the above steps.

IF YOU USE THE NETSCAPE BROWSER

While you are in your Internet browser, click the “Edit” link (usually at the top of the page) on the tool bar.

1. From the resulting drop-down menu, click “Preferences.”
2. On the left-hand of the drop-down page, you should see a column labeled “category.”  In that column look down and find “Privacy & Security.”  If no sub-categories are listed under that heading, double-click on it to expand the list.  From the expanded list of sub-categories, click on “Cookies.”
3. In the larger space to the right you should see a message discussing cookies and some buttons for how you want your browser set to receive them. Make sure the radio button beside “Enable all cookies” is highlighted.
4. Now click OK at the bottom of that page.
5. You should now be able to log-in from off-campus and use the online databases.

Should you desire to return “no cookies accepted” on your computer, simply go back to locations listed above and “undo” what you set up with the above steps.