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Troubleshooting access issues

Trouble accessing electronic resources? Check here for troubleshooting strategies and assistance.

What does Network Login mean?

Your Network Login username and password is your regular Laurier username and password. This is used for a variety of Laurier systems such as Laurier email. It's the first part of that Laurier email address, before "@mylaurier.ca" for students and before "@wlu.ca" for staff, faculty and others.

Should I use my Network Login or my OneCard (or other library card) barcode number?

If you have one, you should use your Network Login username and password instead of your OneCard barcode number and last name, since your Network Login is used to access other Laurier systems. Some Library patrons will need to use the barcode login option since they will not have a Network Login, such as some Laurier alumni or retired faculty.

If you have access issues after logging in with your Network account, you can sign out of that account and try logging in via the "Barcode sign in" option. If you encounter problems, this page includes some other suggestions. If your problem isn't solved by information on this page, please contact us.

Am I using the right barcode number?

If you're not using a "Network Login" (see above), you can still use your Library barcode number. This is the 14 digit number (starting with "29084") under the barcode on your OneCard, Alumni Card, or other barcode number provided to you.

Onecard showing barcode location

My barcode login isn't working.

  • Make sure you're typing in your 14 digit barcode number correctly.
  • Make sure you're typing in your last name correctly:
    • The Library uses the name in Laurier's other systems, so try any other likely variations.
    • If your last name contains spaces, hyphens (-) or apostrophes ('), these should be included for Library access.
    • If your last name contains other special characters, for example umlauts, try the closest letter equivalent.
  • You can always contact us for assistance.

What's this "Oh no, our fault!" page?

You might not actually need to log in or there may be something wrong with the URL you're using. You may see an "Oh no, our fault!" page which just says that the URL you're using isn't listed in our off-campus access system. This may be a problem with our system (please let us know so we can fix it) or it may not need to be in the system at all. In the short term, you can try either of these if they apply:

  • If you're on campus or the resource is free, you may not need to sign in. Try removing "https://libproxy.wlu.ca/login?url=" from in front of your URL or web address or ".libproxy.wlu.ca" from somewhere in the middle. This gives you the URL for the resource itself without it asking you to sign in.
  • If you see "remote.libproxy" in the URL somewhere, remove the "remote." and try the URL again.

What's this "Insufficient access rights" page?

If your username is in the Laurier system but for some reason the Library's system isn't sure you're a current student, faculty member, or staff member, you may see a message stating that you have "Insufficient access rights" to view the resource. Most of the people seeing this message will be Laurier alumni so it suggests that you could check out the list of Alumni databases.

But I'm not alumni!

If you're seeing this message but you're not alumni, that error message suggests some things you can do to try to fix it or get around it. First, try signing in with your Laurier username (if you've entered in something else), restarting your browser, and/or clearing your web browser's cache. If none of this works, send an email to eresources@wlu.ca and then try using your card's barcode number and last name (see above for how).

I have recently changed status. What do I do?

  • Alumni (Laurier graduates) and retired faculty need to register with the Library to access resources.
  • Students or former students now employed at Laurier may need to contact the Library to ensure their status is updated.

I recently obtained a new OneCard. What do I do?

The Library receives a feed of updated OneCard numbers twice a day, at 12:45pm and 10:00pm. Depending on when you obtained your OneCard, it will not be registered with the Library until the next scheduled feed runs and internal processes are performed. You can just wait until this time and the access problem may be resolved.

If you need access immediately, new OneCards can be registered in person at the Library prior to the update feed running.

I'm using a OneCard that was previously replaced. What do I do?

The Library does not store earlier revisions of OneCard numbers. After reverting to an old OneCard, patrons may need to register their OneCard with the Library.

I'm a student in a joint program between Laurier and University of Waterloo or University of Guelph. What do I do?

If you are a Laurier student in a joint program with UW or UG and need to access the electronic resources in their collections go to the page TUG Joint Program E-resource Access.

If you are a UW student in a joint program with Laurier, and don't have a "Network Login" username and password or a OneCard, use the barcode number on your WatCard (starts with 21187) and last name through the "Barcode sign-in" option. See also UW Library's page "Joint programs registration".

On campus but can't sign in?

Almost all our electronic resources should be available from on campus. If you have a problem with signing into a computer on campus and are on the Waterloo Campus, let Laurier ICT know about the problem but you can use one of the few public computers that do not require signing in while the problem gets resolved.

None of these tips work for me!

You can always contact us to report any problem or ask any question.