Frequently Asked Questions

Connecting to the UI Libraries

How can I connect to library resources from off-campus?
Many of the UI Libraries resources are restricted to University of Iowa faculty, staff, and students. If you choose one of these resources from off-campus, you will be asked for your Hawk ID and password to continue. There is no other setup required.

Information Technology Services (ITS) provides remote access (dial-up) service for faculty, staff, and students. The service is free to students and available at a nominal cost for faculty and staff. The library recommends this solution for free or low-cost access to the Internet, including all library resources. For more information, see ITS' Remote Access (Dial-Up) Resource Center.

If I am having trouble connecting, who can help?
If you are having trouble connecting to the internet or are having problems with your Hawk ID and password, contact the ITS Help Desk, phone (319) 384-HELP or e-mail its-helpdesk@uiowa.edu. They can assist with most technical problems.

If you are having trouble connecting to InfoHawk or any of the library's other electronic resources, contact the Information Desk, phone (319) 335-5299 or e-mail lib-ref@uiowa.edu. Check library hours to find out when reference and information desks are open. Questions that cannot be answered immediately will be forwarded to the appropriate staff person.

Where can I use my laptop to access the Internet?
At present, you may use your laptop to access the Internet at wired-in ports in the Information Arcade and Information Commons. Your laptop will need to support an ethernet connection (not a telephone modem).

Wireless access is available almost everywhere in the Main Library, including the entire first floor, the central corridors and study areas on all floors, all graduate student carrels on fourth floor, and the faculty offices on the fifth floor. For information on configuring your laptop to access the wireless network, see ITS' Network Resource Center - Wireless. The Information Arcade in the Main Library and the Main Library ITC also provide laptops and wireless cards for checkout.

Also visit the Laptops and Wireless Access guide.

Where can I check my e-mail and use the Internet?
You can access the Internet at any of the public workstations in any of the libraries. Because these machines are intended primarily for UI research, non-UI-affiliated access may be blocked. Students may also use any of the Instructional Technology Centers (ITCs) across campus, including a large facility on the Main Library's second floor. Because these facilities are funded with student computer fees, access is restricted to those currently enrolled, though guests may obtain temporary login IDs at the Main Library ITC.

The libraries also provide two public computing facilities with complete e-mail and Internet access. The Information Arcade is located on the first floor, northwest corner, of Main Library. The Information Commons is located on the second floor of the Hardin Library for the Health Sciences. In addition to e-mail and Internet access and Microsoft Office, these facilities provide a wide range of software, hardware, and services, including multimedia development. Because of high demand for the two facilities, there may be occasions when people using the facilities for resources that are uniquely available there will have priority over e-mail and Internet use.

ITS also provides a number of express e-mail stations across campus, including several in the Iowa Memorial Union. These machines will provide access only to WebMail, the University's web-based e-mail service for students.

Where can I find computers to do word processing?
Students may use any of the Instructional Technology Centers (ITCs) across campus, including a large facility on the Main Library's second floor, east side. Because these facilities are funded with student computer fees, access is restricted to currently enrolled students.

Word processing software is also available in a limited capacity in the Information Arcade and the Information Commons. Besides Internet access and Microsoft Office, these facilities provide a wide range of software, hardware, and services, including multimedia development. Due to high demand for the two facilities, there may be occasions when people using the facilities for resources that are uniquely available there will have priority over word processing use.

last revised: 3/3/07