Who can use e-resources?

University of Edinburgh current staff and students have access to licensed e-resources for non-commercial use (i.e. for private research and study). However, most licensing arrangements restrict the access we can provide to other Library users.

University of Edinburgh current staff and students

Current staff and students of the University of Edinburgh are entitled to access licensed e-resources for non-commercial use (i.e. for private research and study).  The definition of current staff includes individuals with current Honorary status.

The majority of e-resources are purchased from publishers or other content providers, and access is subject to the terms and conditions of the licence agreements, or contracts, that the University has signed with these suppliers. Part of our obligation is to ensure that access is limited to authorised users, and for the most part authorised users are defined as current staff and students of the University.

Alumni

Alumni access to e-resources is permitted where licence agreements specifically allow this.  The Library provides all Alumni with remote access via University Login.  A list of permitted e-resources can be found on our Alumni A-Z list.

JSTOR access is via the  Alumni Portal.  This is available to all alumni.

Access to select business databases is via the Business School Alumni Page.  This is restricted to Business school graduates.

Retired staff

Remote access to licensed e-resources is not possible for retired staff unless they have honorary or visitor status which has been approved by their former academic department.  However, retired staff may access e-resources where publishers permit “walk in” access, provided the material is only used for private study and research. Where this is the case, we have set up access at designated machines (Guest PCs) within library premises, and these can be used by retired staff who are registered users of the Library.  Please see the Walk in Access section below for Guest PC access to some of our e-resources.

Other Library users

Full access to our licensed e-resources is generally not permitted for the following categories:

• Staff of other UK or non-UK Higher Education Institutions (HEIs)
• Staff of University of Edinburgh companies and corporate partners
• School/College visitors (unless accorded formal Visitor status and currently registered via the Visitor Registration System)
• NHS Trust Staff (unless also holding a formal contract with the University or teaching our current students)
• Staff of University affiliated institutions 
• Students at other UK or non-UK HEIs
• Unregistered students (not recorded in EUCLID) on non-credit-bearing courses

Please see the Walk in Access section below for Guest PC access to some of our e-resources.

Walk in access

Some publishers do permit “walk in” access to their e-resources, provided the material is only used for private study and research. Where this is the case we have set up access at designated machines (Guest PCs) within library premises, and these can be used by any registered user of the Library.  The e-resources allowing walk-in access are listed here.

Ask at IS helpdesks about the location of the Guest PCs within each library.

Non-commercial use only

Note that all licence agreements cover non-commercial use only, which means that the e-resources should only be used for private study and research, and should not be used for any commercial gain.

Still need help?

Please contact the E-Resources Team via the IS Helpline