Lafayette College Library

How to connect to subscription resources from off-campus.

WAM (Web Access Management) provides current Lafayette students and employees access to subscription Web-based resources from off-campus through independent Internet Service Providers (ISPs). (Due to license restrictions, remote access to library resources cannot be extended to Lafayette alumni nor area residents.)

Technical requirements

• Internet access through an ISP. (AOL users see the note below.)
• A PC or Macintosh with Web browser software:
• Your browser must be Java and Javascript enabled and accept cookies. (These are default configurations. If you've changed the settings, they must be reset.)
• You must use the links to resources that appear on the library Website.

How it works

• Clicking on a link to a subscription resource from the Library Website or Library Catalog will bring up a page that asks for your Network ID and password.
• Assuming you've entered the proper credentials, you will be passed to the site. No site should ask you for a password. (If a site asks for authorization it means the process is not working for that site. Contact the Reference Desk for help.)
• Your authentication should last for the entirety of your Internet session, provided you keep your browser open and are not inactive for more than 10 minutes. (If you are inactive for 10 minutes, your next attempt to connect to a site may require re-authentication.)
• Normal Web browsing is unaffected by WAM.

Note for AOL users: America Online's integrated Web browser (i.e., the part of the AOL software that lets you browse the Web) can be problematic with WAM. However, another Web browser can be run during an AOL session in order for WAM to work correctly. To use WAM:

1. Open up your AOL connection as usual.
2. Once you're logged on to AOL, start up a browser (Firefox, Internet Explorer, Safari, etc.).
3. Use the links on the library Website.

WAM assistance is available through the Skillman Reference Department during normal Reference Desk hours at x5155. At other times, assistance is available via email at duncanr@lafayette.edu. (Please include the word WAM in the subject line.)