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Remote/Off-Campus Access

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Only current Caltech students, faculty, and staff have remote-access privileges to Caltech-licensed library resources. Review the options below for remote off-campus access.

Obtain an up-to-date access.caltech account

Use proxied links on Library web pages

Links to resources on Library webpages, including LibGuides, the Library Catalog, and the Journals list, are automatically proxied. Enter your access.caltech username and password to proceed to the resource of interest. When clicking on a proxied link for the first time in the session, remote users are prompted for their access.caltech username and password. One successful login establishes access to most Caltech-licensed resources.

(Optional): Establish a VPN account

  • Information about VPN accounts and installation of VPN software.
  • You must use the “Caltech-Tunnel All” option (Option 2).
  • VPN slows down connections to all IP addresses. For most library resources, proxied links are the preferred method.

(Optional): Install the Caltech Library proxy bookmarklet

  • The Caltech Library Proxy Bookmarklet can be installed in a browser and will allow users to reload pages through the Proxy to determine if the Library has access to a specific electronic resource.
  • Users will be prompted for their access.caltech credentials when reloading the page with the Proxy.
  • Please visit the Proxy Bookmarklet Library Guide for instructions on how to install in desktop browsers and iPads.

(Optional): Configure Google Scholar

  • If you use Google Scholar, you can configure it to have the Caltech Connect links appear off-campus by changing your Scholar Preferences.
  • Scroll down to the "Library Links" section. Type Caltech in the search box and click on "Find Library". Check the box to the left of "California Institute of Technology - Caltech Connect" and then click the "Save Preferences" button.
  • See this FAQ for additional information about configuring Google Scholar and Casa

(Optional): Install the EndNote Click plug-in

  • EndNote Click is a browser plugin developed by Clarivate, the parent company of Web of Science. It works behind the scenes in your browser to get you the best PDF copy of articles that you're looking for.
  • EndNote Click  can be used both on or off campus and uses existing authentication infrastructure to leverage library subscriptions.

(Optional): Configure ADS

JPL staff: please contact the JPL Library (library@jpl.nasa.gov) for available options.
Caltech staff at JPL: Our proxy server will not work for you at JPL. You will need to use VPN.

You are a remote user if your IP address falls outside the range 131.215.*.*. This includes Caltech offices at LIGO, OVRO, and Palomar.

  • If you use the Astrophysical Data System, it's worth setting your preferences so that Caltech Connect links appear in your search results. You can do this by signing in to your account at ADS.
  • Select "User Account Update" and then "Library Links Settings". Use the drop down menu to select "California Institute of Technology" as your library link server. Once you've saved your settings, the Caltech Connect button will display in your search results.