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?
There are two types basic types of desktops in the Libraries with different functionality:
- Regular Library Workstations: Most computers in the Libraries provide full access to the Internet, licensed library resources and Microsoft Office software (MS Word, Excel, and Powerpoint)
- York Internet Access and Catalogue Express Stations: Some computers in the Libraries (for instance in Scott Library near the Welcome Desk) provide an option which does not require an individual login, but web access is restricted to pages in the yorku.ca domain and printing is not available. In order to consult websites beyond those based at York University or to use our licensed eResources, you will need to login using your Passport York account (for current York students, faculty or staff members) or a Library Guest Account.
Visitors and Library computers
COVID-19 update: Guest access to YUL computers is unavailable due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
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 use a York “Internet Access and Catalogue Express” computer to consult the library catalogue or 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 to a wireless (AirYork) connection.
Visitors from other institutions may use Eduroam to connect to wireless on campus using the credential of their home institutions. The Eduroam network at is intended for visiting scholars from other participating eduroam institutions. More information on Eduroam at York.
Visiting scholars (usually faculty members from other institutions) who plan to do research in the Libraries on an ongoing basis 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.