The Omaha Public Library provides Omaha Public Library cardholders with access to many subscription databases. These databases are selected by library staff and paid for with your tax dollars. They are comprised of collections which allow access to thousands of periodicals, hundreds of newspapers, and numerous reference books and materials that can be searched from the comfort and convenience of your home 24 hours a day, 7 days a week!

How do I access the Research Databases?

Itás quick and easy! All you need is a valid Omaha Public Library card. Any of the databases with the library card symbol next to the name of the database may be accessed from your home or work computer. Click the name of the database you are interested in to access it. If there is a “remote user access” link under the description of the database, click the remote user access link when accessing those databases outside the Omaha Public Library locations. You will be prompted to enter your library card barcode number (enter all 14 digits without any spaces between the numbers), and you will be able to access the information from home!

I have an Omaha Public Library card, but I canát get into the database I want. What do I do? (Troubleshooting Tips)

Here are some troubleshooting tips you can try when the databases wonát allow access:

1. Make sure you are entering all 14 digits of your Omaha Public Library card barcode number without using any spaces between the numbers. If your library card has expired, you can renew the card by stopping in person at any Omaha Public Library location with your library card and a form of identification that shows your current address in Douglas County (examples are a driverás license, checkbook with a preprinted address, or a recent bill with a preprinted address), and the staff can renew the library card for you. If you are not sure if your card has expired, please call the library at 444-4800 and have your library card barcode number ready.
   
   
2. If you are trying to access a database that has the “home access” link under the description of the database, make sure you are clicking the “home access” link for that database when you are accessing it outside the Omaha Public Library locations.
   
   
3. Cookies need to be enabled on your web browsers.
   
   
4. Try a different database than the one you are trying to get access to. If another database lets you get into it, then go back and try the original database.
   
   
5. Antivirus software and firewalls sometimes cause problems. Try to temporarily disable the antivirus software (or ask your network administrator about the firewall settings). If the database allows you access to it with the antivirus software disabled, try the database again with the antivirus software enabled. Example: InfoUSA "Norton Security Fix"
   
   
6. If you are using Internet Explorer and the databases arenát working, first try the Example" InfoUSA "Trusted Sites Fix". If this isn't successful, try using Mozilla, Firefox (a streamlined Mozilla browser) or Opera browsers.
   
   
7. If you are using download accelerators, turn them off.
   
   
8. Clean out your browser's Cache and deleting the cookies and temp files.

If you are still experiencing problems accessing the databases, please call the library at 444-4800 during operating hours. Staff can try to assist you with database access problems, but please be prepared to tell us what operating system, browser version, and Internet Service Provider you are using.