Himmelfarb Library offers two methods of off-campus access for our electronic collections. Both methods require a GW NetID and password. Users can use either method - or both - depending on their needs and location.
VPN is software, Cisco AnyConnect, which can be downloaded from GW and installed on your personal computer. The VPM works well if you are working from your own computer, or from a work computer which you use regularly.
You can login to the Cisco AnyConnect VPN (go.vpn.gwu.edu) using the first part of your GW NetID (everything before the @) and password. The Cisco AnyConnect VPN will make your computer function as though you're working from the library so you won't be prompted to enter additional login/password information when you access Himmelfarb's databases, e-journals, and e-books.
As an alternative to the VPN, Himmelfarb's web-based login works well if you're accessing Himmelfarb's online collections from a computer where you can't install or run the VPN. For example, users accessing Himmelfarb Library from clinical locations or from computers which they do not use regularly will find the web-based login useful. Himmelfarb's web-based login will prompt you to login just as you login to your GW email - i.e. by entering your full NetID (netid@gwu.edu or netid@gwmail.gwu.edu) and password and completing two-step authentication.
You will be prompted to login using your GW NetID and password for the first Himmelfarb resource that you access, but the browser will 'remember' your information after that so you won't need to enter your login/password repeatedly.
Some users who access Himmelfarb's online resources from other institutions (e.g. Children's National, GW Medical Faculty Associates, etc.) have reported issues with the web-based login. The issue seems to be that GW's system automatically picks up your other institution's login and does not give you the opportunity to enter your @gwu.edu address and password. We've developed two methods to get around this issue:
- Use one web browser for most work and reserve a second web browser for logging into Himmelfarb Library and other GW functions. This option works well if you are working from a computer that you use regularly as you can remain logged in.
- Open an 'incognito' browser window. This option works well if you are working from a computer that is shared with other users.
If you run into login issues, please ask a librarian! We can help you login and troubleshoot any issues that you enter. We are here to help!
