Access to Electronic Resources
When connected to the university network, such as through the WLAN OvGU-802.1X or using the public computer workstations (IGEL-Clients) at the University Library, you can access licensed electronic resources without any additional login.
Access Outside the University Network
You can also access electronic resources from outside the university. Most resources require an active membership with the university library. You can check the expiration date of your membership at any time in your user account.
The easiest way to access resources is through our electronic catalogs, such as:
- Databases: via the Database Information System (DBIS)
- E-Books: via the OPAC or UBfind
- E-Journals: via the Electronic Journals Library (EZB)
For external access, please log in with your library number (3100...) and your password. Note that access depends on the licensing conditions of each provider. For example, PDF downloads might not be possible, or there might be a limit on the number of simultaneous users for a resource.
If access does not work:
- Check if your membership is still active.
- Clear your browser cache.
- Try accessing the resource again. If you continue to encounter issues, please contact our staff at the service desks or via email at ausleihe@ovgu.de.
Login via Shibboleth
Some publishers, such as Springer, Elsevier, De Gruyter, or O’Reilly, offer login options via Shibboleth.
Here's how to log in:
- Visit the publisher's website.
- Select "Login via Shibboleth," "Institutional Login," or a similar option.
- Search for Otto von Guericke University Magdeburg in the list of institutions.
- Log in using your URZ account (username and password).
Upon successful login, you will have access to the licensed content of the University Library Magdeburg. Please note: External users cannot use Shibboleth login.
Access via VPN
Accessing licensed electronic resources via VPN is currently limited and only works with a few publishers.
We are working on gradually expanding VPN access and recommend using our electronic catalogs (e.g., DBIS, EZB, OPAC, or UBfind) for external access, especially if outside the university network.
External Users
External users can access electronic resources, but only within the library: With a valid membership, access is available at the public computer workstations (IGEL-Clients) of the University Library.
External access outside the library is currently not possible.
Terms of Use
The use of electronic resources is governed by the terms of the University Library Magdeburg's usage regulations (German only), particularly § 7 "Copyright and Personal Rights as well as Use of Electronic Resources."
Assistance with access issues
Is your access authorization/membership still valid (see user account)? Please have it verified and, if necessary, renewed at the circulation desk (or by phone at 0391 67-52925, or by email at ausleihe@ovgu.de). Without valid access authorization, external access to electronic resources is not possible.
Please clear your browser's history (including passwords) and try again. If access issues persist, contact us (via email: ub.it-anwendungen@ovgu.de or by phone at 0391 67-57415). You may have discovered a system error that we need to address.
Specific Notes for publisher services
Here, you will find guidance on the use of specific publisher offerings available through the University Library.
O'Reilly for Higher Education
University members (students and staff) should use this link to access the O'Reilly platform. You will be redirected to the OVGU Shibboleth page, where you should log in with your URZ account.
Once logged in on the platform, only English-language works are displayed by default in the search. You can change this by clicking on "Settings" in the left menu, and adding additional languages under "Language Preferences" in the "Your Preferences" section. These and other settings (e.g., playlists, highlights, notes) will be retained on your account even upon re-login.
Please note that the platform does not allow for downloads or printing. However, offline use is possible via the O'Reilly app, which is available for free on iOS, Android, and Amazon Fire in the app store. Please log in there with your email address and you will automatically be redirected to the OVGU Shibboleth page. In the app, you can select a title and choose the "Download" option to access the content even without an internet connection.