Library Accounts FAQs

Many of MSU Libraries' resources are only available off-campus to authenticated MSU students, faculty, professionals, and staff. Just log in with your Banner or Library ID. We use a Proxy server to make this work. Alternatively, MSU Faculty and Staff with an exchange account can use ITC's Virtual Private Network (VPN)—Windows Setup Instructions or MacIntosh Setup Instructions.

Library Accounts: Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)

1. What are my username and password to log into the Proxy server, ILL, Library Catalog, or Ereserves submission form?
2. Do I need to register?
3. Who is eligible to use the proxy server?
4. What if I get a "cookies" error message?
5. The registration form and/or login page indicates that I am not in the system, why?
6. "Page Not Found" error message
7. "You've encountered a resource that the MSU Libraries needs to add to their proxy database in order for it to work correctly" error message.
8. "Please tell your server administrator to check ezproxy.msg for a MaxVirtualHosts error" error message
9. What does the proxy login page look like?
10. What if I am accessing library resources from on campus?
11. After I log in, I get a security warning indicating that I am about to be redirected to a connection that is not secure. Should I be concerned?
12. If you have Juno or NetZero as your Internet Service Provider you will need to adjust your connection settings.
13. What if I can not find what I need in MSU Libraries’ online resources?
14. What if this FAQ page did not answer my question?

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1. What are my username and password to log into the Proxy server, ILL, Library Catalog, or Ereserves submission form?

To use these library services, you will need to provide:

• Your Banner/CatCard ID number, OR an assigned username.
• Your Password.
If you are new to MSU, forgot your password, or need a new password for any reason, you may get a new one online here: Get a new password. You will need access to your official MSU email address in order to receive your new password.
You may also call the library for assistance at (406) 994-3171, or (406) 994-3139, or you may fill out an online form here: Library Account help.
If you know your current password and just want to change it, use the Change password form.
2. No registration is required for most people.

For those people who don't know or don't have a Banner/CatCard ID number, including some distance education students, Foundation employees, and government employees on campus, you will need to apply for the Proxy service and your username and password will be emailed to you when your account is approved. To register, please go to the registration page
3. Who is eligible to use the proxy server?

MSU students, faculty, professionals, and staff.

Students must be registered for the current term/semester (including summer) in order to qualify. Students who are not registered for the current semester are not eligible, even if they plan to re-enroll next semester.


Paid Adjunct, Affiliate, and Emeritus faculty and staff without a Banner ID number must complete a "PTF—Personnel Transaction Form" online at http://www.montana.edu/wwwpn/Payroll/PTFProfessional.xls for Faculty/Professionals and at http://www.montana.edu/wwwpn/Payroll/PTFClassified.xls for Classified Staff. This process will  get you a Banner/CatCard ID to use with the proxy server. (May take up to 6 weeks for new employees.)

Non-Paid Adjunct, Affiliate, and Emeritus faculty and staff must complete the Courtesy Appointment Form for Non-paid affiliates - http://www.montana.edu/wwwpn/Payroll/Courtesy Appointment Form.doc. You must still obtain all signatures on this form before receiving your credentials.

4. What if I get a "cookies" error message?

Your browser must accept cookies. To enable your web browser to accept cookies for the library's proxy server (in Internet Explorer, this is in the system menu under "Tools/Internet Options/Privacy/Edit/Allow auth.lib.montana.edu/ok"). Or, since browsers accept cookies by default, you can reset to the default in your browser's internet options menu. The Proxy cookie is not used to track your use, but only to let the proxy server monitor your authenticated status. This cookie will disappear when you exit your browser.

5. The registration form and/or login page indicates that I am not in the system, why?

There is a "lag-time" between when a student registers for classes, and when the Library Banner/CatCard numbers are updated. This should be less than 4 days. Only students that are registered for the current semester are in the Library Accounts database. For non-student employees, if you are adjunct faculty, an intern, emeritus faculty or of a similar status, you may not be in the data we get from the Registrar's office. See number 2 above for guidance on what to do as an employee who's not in the proxy server database. Otherwise, you can submit your question/request as outlined in number 15 below.
6. I get a "You've encountered a resource that the MSU Libraries needs to add to their proxy database in order for it to work correctly" error message after I log into the proxy server.

Let the library know that you've found a resource that hasn't been entered into the library's proxy system. We can fix this—usually within 24 hours, but you need to follow the instructions on the error page and submit the problem to the library. Thank you!
7. I get a "Please tell your server administrator to check ezproxy.msg for a MaxVirtualHosts error" error message after I log into the proxy server.

If you get this error message, the folks at the library need to change the settings on the proxy server. This is not your fault, but it will get fixed more quickly if you report the problem to us. You can report the problem on our proxy help page. Thank you!
8. What does the proxy login page look like?

Whenever you try to access an electronic journal, database, or other MSU-licensed web site, you will be presented with a proxy login page. To see what this login page will look like, click here.
9. What if I am accessing library resources from on campus?

You only need to use the Proxy server if you are NOT in the MSU IP Domain. The Proxy server does not require that your browser be configured in any special way to use Library resources from outside the MSU IP Domain.

Your computer's IP address is 38.103.63.16

To see if this is in the MSU IP domain, go here

10. After I log in, I get a security warning indicating that I am about to be redirected to a connection that is not secure. Should I be concerned?

No, just click Yes to continue.

The proxy server is set up to use Secure Socket Layer (SSL) technology to encrypt your login, protecting it from hackers. Once you successfully log in, the proxy server connects you with the database you selected, which in most cases does not use SSL technology. Your browser then warns you that the site you are being sent to is not using this technology.

Your information is not retransmitted to the next site.



11. If Juno or NetZero is your Internet service Provider, you may need to make a change to your connection settings.

If the SpeedBand feature is turned on in Juno, the proxy server may not work for you. Turn off SpeedBand and then log in to the proxy server. Once logged in, you can turn SpeedBand back on for the rest of that browser session.
If the HiSpeed feature is turned on in NetZero, the proxy server may not work for you. Turn off HiSpeed and then log in to the proxy server. Once logged in, you can turn HiSpeed back on for the rest of that browser session.
12. What if I can’t find what I need in MSU Libraries’ online resources?

A librarian can help you! Just contact the Reference desk at (406) 994-3171 or see the Ask a Librarian page for other contact options.
13. What if this FAQ page did not answer my question?

You can submit a question via our proxy help form.

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