PBCLS Database Support Page

Browser and Security Issues: Personal computers often have several layers of protection installed on them. Having at least a firewall and antivirus program are suggested as a good practice when using the Internet. Occasionally these programs, along with other settings, can prevent you from gaining access to the library's electronic resources and other sites.

Authentication: Several library databases require you to enter your library card number for authentication. The Palm Beach County Library System uses a proxy server for this process. Corporate and personal firewalls can sometimes block access to a proxy server. If you enter a valid library card number and get an error displaying the page; your firewall settings may need to be adjusted.

Please review the following document for access to library proxy server: Click here

The following information may help you troubleshoot common browser and security issues. You should fully understand the implications of making any changes to your personal computer prior to making any changes.

The preferred web Browser of the Palm Beach County Library System is Microsoft Internet Explorer 5.5 or higher. Click here for the latest MS downloads and updates.

Accessing the Online Web Catalog (iBistro) & Other Databases

Most databases are available from home. Only those with the

icon require you to be within a library branch for access. When you are accessing a database from home, you may need to supply your Library Card Number. Our databases typically do not require you to enter a Username or Password (PIN), just your Library Card Number. If you have discovered a database that is asking for a Username and PIN, there is the possibility that the vendor is having problems with their server, or that the product is unavailable for maintenance. Another cause may be a setting in your Browser - specifically refer to our help section dealing with Cookies.

Certain functions of the Library's Online Web Catalog (iBistro) may require you to Log In. You can log in with the Library Card Number and PIN that has been assigned to you. If you don't know your PIN, call your local branch of the Palm Beach County Library System.

You should enter your Library Card number without spaces. Example D123456789

Other useful links about your your Library account:

Troubleshooting for specific database products:

FAQ & Troubleshooting regarding ProQuest Historical Databases.

FAQ & Troubleshooting regarding Reference USA.

Reference USA Enhancements as of November 1, 2006

New York Times products.
Certain firewall products, such as Norton Internet Security, may restrict access to the ProQuest New York Times databases. This is because referring URLs are blocked. This is corrected by adding the following address to your "allow", or "approved sites" list http://proquest.umi.com

Bookmarks and Favorites

The Library's Online Catalog (iBistro), and other databases do not always work well if bookmarked or saved as a favorite. This is because the online catalog creates a new session for you each time you visit our site. Other databases require you to first visit the Library's Electronic Databases page to be recognized as a patron of the subscribing library. We are happy to have you bookmark our pages!

The best pages to save in your Favorites are PBCLS Electronic Databases and the PBCLS Home Page.

Does your browser have Cookies and Javascript enabled?

Many databases require your PC to accept cookies, and to have Javascript enabled. Check your Browser's settings.

One program we have seen causing problems is 'CookieCop'. This browser plug-in manages cookies and has been identified as causing problems when accessing certain database products. If you have CookieCop installed, you may want to disable it while accessing the library web site.
To enable cookies and/or Javascript; first determine what browser version you are using. Click Help, About, then follow the instructions below:

Internet Explorer 6.x

From the menu bar, click on Tools, Internet Options.
Click the Security tab.
Select the Internet zone.
Under Security Level for this zone, click Default Level. The security level should now say Medium.
Click on the Privacy tab.
Click on Default. The privacy level should now say Medium.
Click OK.

Internet Explorer 5.x

From the menu bar, click on Tools, Internet Options.
Click the Security tab.
Select the Internet zone.
Under Security Level for this zone, click Default Level. The security level should now say Medium, which will enable cookies and Javascript.
Click OK.

Internet Explorer 4.x

We recommend that you upgrade to a newer version of Internet Explorer.

Netscape 7.x

From the menu bar, select Edit > Preferences.
Under Category, select Advanced.
Click the box which says Enable Java.
Under Category, open the menu (triangle icon) for Advanced.
Click on Scripts & Plugins and select Enable JavaScript for Navigator.
Under Category, open the menu (triangle icon) for Privacy and Security.
Click on Cookies, then select Enable all cookies.
Click OK.
Click Check Your Browser to make sure that cookies and Javascript are now enabled.

Netscape 6.x

From the menu bar, select Edit, Preferences.
Under Category, select Advanced.
Click the boxes which say Enable Java and Enable Javascript for Navigator.
Under Category, open the menu (triangle icon) for Privacy and Security.
Click on Cookies, then select Enable all cookies.
Click OK.
Click Check Your Browser to make sure that cookies and Javascript are now enabled.

Netscape 4.x

We recommend that you upgrade to a newer version of Netscape.

Adobe Acrobat Reader

Many databases offer text in Portable Document Format (PDF). This means that you must have Adobe Acrobat Reader installed on your PC to view these documents. This is a free viewer from Adobe.

Not sure if you already have Adobe installed? Click Here.

Don't have Adobe? Download it here.

Firewall Issues

Network Firewalls are an important part of networks today. They help to protect users from malicious attacks coming from the Internet. They do this by opening and closing ports. Some databases require certain ports to be open to work properly. If you get an error like "Page cannot be displayed", or "File cannot be found", this may be a Firewall issue. You can test to see if you can communicate with the library using common ports, Click Here.
If you get an error, then you are most likely behind a restrictive Firewall.

Working Around Firewall Issues:

Home users: You can determine if your Firewall is causing the problem by temporarily turning your Firewall off. Information on how to do this can be found with your Firewall's documentation. If the Firewall in question is the built-in Firewall used in Microsoft Windows XP, you can follow the instructions offered by Microsoft.

If you are at work: You will need to contact your network administrator and have them determine if access to the library databases can be permitted.

AOL

The AOL browser may or may not work with some databases. If you are an AOL user and experience difficulties, you may want to use AOL to get online but then use Microsoft Internet Explorer or Netscape to access the library databases.

Clearing the Cache, History and Cookie Files

Here are general guidelines for clearing the cache, history and cookie files. Please refer to your browser's Help screens for details specific to your browser version. Some Web sites may store information in a small text file on your computer. This file is called a cookie. There are several types of cookies, and you can choose whether to allow some, none, or all of them to be saved on your computer. If you do not allow cookies at all, you may not be able to view some Web sites or take advantage of customization features (such as local news and weather, or stock quotes).

Internet Explorer 6.0+

Click Tools, and select Internet Options on the Internet Explorer menu bar.
On the General tab, Click Delete Files.
Optionally you may check the option to delete all offline content.
Click OK on the Delete Files dialogue box.
It may take several minutes for the files to clear.
Click Clear History, Click Yes when dialogue box appears.
Click Delete Cookies, Click OK when dialogue box appears.
Click OK.
Close all open browser windows and restart your browser before you try to access the library's web site.

Internet Explorer 5.0 or 5.5

Click Tools, and select Internet Options on the Internet Explorer menu bar.
On the General tab, click Delete Files.
Optionally you you may check the option delete all offline content.
Click OK on the Delete Files dialogue box.
It may take several minutes for the files to clear.
Click Clear History, Click Yes when dialogue box appears.
Click Settings, Click View Files on the box that appears.
Click Edit, and choose Select All on the menu bar.
Press the Delete button on your keyboard, Click Yes when dialogue box appears.
Close the window when all files have disappeared (you may need to press the F5 button on your keyboard to refresh).
Click OK.
Close all open browser windows and restart your browser before you try to access the library's web site.

Netscape 6.0+

Click Edit, and select Preferences on the Netscape menu bar.
Click the arrow next to Navigator to expand the selection if needed.
Click History.
Click the Clear History button.
Click the arrow next to Privacy & Security.
Click Cookies.
Click View Stored Cookies in 6.x (click Manage Stored Cookies in 7.x).
Click Remove All Cookies.
Click the arrow next to Advanced to expand the selection if needed.
Click Cache.
Click the Clear Memory Cache button.
Click the Clear Disk Cache button.
Click OK.
Close all open browser windows and restart your browser before you try to access the library's web site.

AOL Users:

Click Start Menu, Settings, Control Panel, Internet Options.

Go to the Internet Explorer 6.0 section above and proceed with the instructions starting at Step 2.
If your Internet Options control panel does not have a Delete Cookies button, then go to the instructions for Internet Explorer 5.0 or 5.5 above and proceed with the instructions starting at Step 2.