PATRONS CAN ACCESS SUBSCRIPTION DATABASES FROM HOME WITH . . . THE LEE COUNTY LIBRARY SYSTEM’S NEW RPA SERVICE. Books in Print, Electric Library, Ethnic NewsWatch, Gale Resource Center, GaleNet Ready Reference Shelf, Grolier Online Reference Collection, NoveList, Rosetta Stone, Sirs Discoverer & UMI Proquest

Patrons who usually go to the library for their research can now access electronic databases from outside the library, at any hour of the day or night, any day of the week, thanks to the Lee County Library System’s new Remote Patron Authentication (RPA) service.

Mindi Simon, Manager, Library Automation & Training, says the Lee County Library System (LCLS) offers several electronic databases, and until now, patrons had to visit the library to use these resources. RPA allows Lee County Library System patrons to access these databases away from the library, while ensuring that LCLS upholds the terms of its licensing agreements with subscription services.

“Remote use by library patrons is already included in the pricing of these databases, so making them available for at-home users allows us to make the most of the products we already have, while making them much more convenient for our patrons.”

Simon adds that patrons have been requesting access to the library system’s electronic databases from home. 

“RPA allows patrons access to the library’s resources on their own schedule, 24 hours a day, seven days a week, so they can do their homework or research whenever it suits them, whether it’s at midnight or on a Sunday afternoon.”

Patrons can access the library’s electronic databases in these simple steps:

1. Go to www.lee-county.com/library and click on “Internet Links We Recommend.”
2. Input your library card number. The RPA program will authenticate users against the LCLS patron database before providing access to paid electronic databases.
3. Some users may need to adjust their computer’s settings to access the information. Instructions are on the same web page, under “Configure Your Browser.”

Current electronic resources available via RPA include:

Books in Print, Electric Library, Ethnic NewsWatch, Gale Resource Center, GaleNet Ready Reference Shelf, Grolier Online Reference Collection, NoveList, Rosetta Stone, Sirs Discoverer, and UMI Proquest.