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Facilities And Equipment > Access to Library Computers

Access to Library Computers

Most library computers require York University students, faculty and staff members to log in using their Passport York username and password. Guests, including York alumni, may request a one-day Library Guest Account to use library computers.

Why is a login necessary?

This authentication process is part of a campus-wide effort to maintain the security of the computing network as well as to ensure that members of the York University community have primary access to the computers in the Libraries. By logging in, computer users undertake to respect the Senate Policy on Computing and Information Technology Facilities.

What can I do at which computer?

Users of the Libraries will encounter the following labels on the computers:

  • LOGIN REQUIRED: These computers will provide full access to the Internet and library resources but require a login.
  • LOGIN REQUIRED – MS WORD, EXCEL, POWERPOINT: Some of the computers requiring a login will also allow access to some Microsoft Office software. In Scott Library, these can be found on the second and third floors and, when available for drop-in use, in the fifth floor Computer Classrooms.
  • YORK INTERNET ACCESS EXPRESS: Some computers in each library (near the Exit Control Desk in Scott Library) provide an option which does not require an individual login, but web access is restricted to pages in the yorku.ca domain. This option can be used by York students for setting up a File Access Service account. In order to consult websites beyond those based at York University or to use may of our licensed eResources, it will be necessary to login using an FAS account (for current York students, faculty or staff members) or a Library Guest Account.
  • CATALOGUE EXPRESS: At least one computer on each floor of Scott Library will not require a login, but will allow access only to the York University Libraries Catalogue.

Visitors and library computers

Visitors to the Libraries who are not current York University students, faculty or staff members, including York alumni, may request a one-day Library Guest Account in order to use library computers.

Visitors may also use “Catalogue Express” computers if they need only consult the library catalogue or “York Internet Access Express” computers if they wish to consult other York University web pages. No login or guest account is necessary for such computer use. For more detailed information on where these express computers are located, please see our diagrams indicating Public Access Computer Locations.

Please note that alumni and visitors will not normally have access to the campus network with their own laptops since a Passport York account will be needed in order to log in by either a wired (York Net) or wireless (AirYork) connection.

Visiting scholars (usually faculty members from other institutions) who plan to do research in the Libraries are encouraged to ask the Chair or Director of a York University research unit (e.g., an academic department or research centre) with which they may have a relationship, to arrange for them an account for the duration of their visit to York. The sponsoring unit will need to complete the online Guest Account Request Form. A minimum of 48 hours will be needed for generation of the account.

Librarians at any YUL reference desk will be pleased to assist with related questions.