Access to most library research databases is limited to subscribing institutions. Almost all of our database providers authorize users based on their IP address. If you are on campus, your IP address is recognized by the database vendor and you are automatically authorized. If you are entering the resource from off-campus, you need to pass through a proxy server, so that your IP address, which identifies the computer, comes from an authorized source known to the provider, rather then the IP address at your home, a cafe, or wherever you happen to be. Since you are connecting directly to the proxy server, not the database provider, the URL needs to change, so adding the proxy server information to a URL is critical to making sure a link will be usable when we're off-campus.

The Los Rios Libraries use a proxy service called EZproxy, which is very widely used by colleges and universities.

Which links do I need to modify?

If you don't see scclosrios.idm.oclc.org in the URL, this is a sign you might have trouble with the link. In certain cases, even if that string is missing from the URL, the URL may lead to a page asking you to select your institution, which will then send you to EZproxy and get you the web page or document you're looking for.

But this won't always happen, and sometimes you'll even hit a paywall. In these cases, and you'll want to add the EZproxy information to the URL.

How should I modify the link?

The link should generally begin with our proxy prefix: https://scclosrios.idm.oclc.org/login?url=

For example, here's a URL without the prefix:
https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=3104425&site=ehost-live&scope=site

And here it is with the prefix added:
https://scclosrios.idm.oclc.org/login?url=https://search.ebscohost.com/login.aspx?direct=true&db=nlebk&AN=3104425&site=ehost-live&scope=site

URL Converter Tool

Use the URL converter below to add the proxy prefix to a URL that doesn't have it already. Copy the converted URL for sharing and stable access.
 

The full URL converter page includes some additional "power user" features, such as a bookmarklet that you can use to quickly add the prefix to a page you're on.

How should I share a link to a database?

If you'd like to share a link to a specific database, you can right-click on the name of the database from the Databases page and the URL will include the appropriate proxy information.

Does the proxy prefix work with any website?

No. Only sites that we have set up to work with EZproxy can be accessed using it. If you add the proxy prefix to other URLs and attempt to visit the page, you will be sent to a Misconfigured URL error page.