Most of the resources included in the U-M Ann Arbor Search Tools Find Databases list and Electronic Journals and Newspapers List (Ejournals List) are either created, converted, owned or licensed by the University of Michigan. For most resources, a license agreement has been signed with a publisher or service vendor which requires that access be limited to the U-M network and/or to current U-M faculty, students and staff. Below are the six symbols used to represent which form of access applies to each resource appearing in the Search Tools "Find Databases" and Ejournals Lists, with more detailed explanations of how the access works.

-- Authorized UM Users

Resources marked with this "M-Key" symbol can be accessed by anyone using a computer assigned a U-M Ann Arbor IP (Internet Protocol) address--that is, by anyone with a direct connection to the U-M Ann Arbor network. This includes authorized users of the U-M Virtual Private Network (VPN) and members of the general public using networked computers in the campus libraries.

These resources can also be accessed by any current U-M Ann Arbor student, faculty or staff member from any location in the world. U-M users accessing these resources from outside the U-M network will automatically be prompted for their uniqname and password.

-- UM Network

Resources marked with this "M" symbol can be accessed by anyone using a computer assigned a U-M Ann Arbor IP (Internet Protocol) address--that is, by anyone with a direct connection to the U-M Ann Arbor network. This includes members of the general public using networked computers in the campus libraries.

These resources can also be accessed from off campus by authorized U-M Ann Arbor users who dial in to the U-M Ann Arbor private modem pool (734-489-2222 or 517-586-2222). Dialing-in requires a valid U-M uniqname and password for authentication.

-- Open to All Users

Resources marked with this "Globe" symbol can be accessed by any Internet user in the world. Some of these resources are created by U-M and maintained on the U-M network, but they are freely accessible to all, regardless of U-M affiliation, as a community service.

-- Additional Password Required

A resource marked with this "Key" symbol can be accessed by using an additional password required by the publisher of the resource. One of two types of additional passwords are required: either an institutional password, or a personal registration password.

An institutional password is a single password shared by all authorized U-M Ann Arbor users. In order to obtain the institutional password online, you must prove that you are a current U-M Ann Arbor student, faculty or staff member via Library Authentication. When you click on a link to a resource requiring an institutional password, the Library Authentication screen will appear. After entering your uniqname and personally selected password, you will be taken to an Institutional Password Instructions page that will include the password and a link to the resource. Institutional passwords should not be shared with anyone who is not a current U-M Ann Arbor student, faculty or staff member. Members of the general public using networked computers in U-M Ann Arbor campus libraries who would like to use a resource requiring an institutional password should ask for assistance at a reference desk. Library staff may use institutional passwords to provide members of the general public with access to resources within campus libraries, but may not share the passwords with library users unless they are current U-M students, faculty or staff members.

A personal registration password is created by and known only to each individual user of the resource. Each user of the resource must personally register to use it, and during the process of registration chooses a password that he or she must remember on their own in order to use the resource in the future. Some resources that require personal registration are limited to authorized U-M users, so that initial registration cannot be completed, and use of your personal password to access the resource will not work, unless you are on campus using a computer assigned a U-M Ann Arbor IP (Internet Protocol) address, are dialing in to the U-M Ann Arbor private modem pool (734-489-2222 or 517-586-2222), or are able to prove that you are a current U-M Ann Arbor student, faculty or staff member through Library Authentication.

-- Restricted to Specific UM Building

Resources marked with this "M-Building" symbol can be accessed only from computers on the U-M Ann Arbor network that are located within specific U-M Ann Arbor campus buildings. The particular building or buildings to which access to the resource is limited is indicated in the "About" information for the resource that appears in the U-M Ann Arbor University Library's Search Tools "Find Datbases" list and Electronic Journals and Newspapers List. Whether you are a member of the general public, or a current U-M Ann Arbor student, faculty or staff member, you must use a networked computer within the building(s) indicated in order to access the resource.

-- Trial Access

Resources marked with this "T" symbol may be accessed as part of a trial being conducted by a library on the U-M Ann Arbor campus. Usually, trial access to resources is limited to the U-M Network, as described above. Occasionally, trial access requires an additional password, as described above. Please note that trial access is temporary, and if library staff decide not to add the resource to the library collection, then access to the resource will cease when the trial ends, and the resource will no longer appear in the U-M Ann Arbor University Library's Search Tools "Find Databases" list and Electronic Journals and Newspapers List. When the date that the trial period will end is known, it is indicated in the "About" information for the resource that appears in the Search Tools "Find Databases" list or the Electronic Journals and Newspapers List. But some trials are open-ended, with no specific end date set in advance by the resource's publisher.