Off-Campus FAQ

Whom do I call for help?

Please test My VWCC before you call. Then choose a number below.

• Brown Library ( 857-7303) - call us if you can access My VWCC, but not the library databases.
• Help Desk ( 857-7354) - call the help desk if you are unable to access both My VWCC and library databases. Instead of calling you may choose to fill in a help desk request form.

How do I log in to the restricted library databases?

• You log in with a user name and password.
• All VWCC students are provided a user name and password when they enroll.
• All VWCC employees are provided a user name and password when they are hired.
• The password and user name are the same ones used for Blackboard, email, and the Student Information System. (My VWCC)
• Look up your user name and password.

When I try to log in I see this message, "web server specified, not contacted".

The Virginia Western server may be down. Visit the college home page to test it out. If Virginia Western is down, then you can go to the home page for another Virginia Community College, since we share many of the same databases. This link will take you to the page for Tidewater Community College Library Here you will see an alphabetical list of databases. Choose EbscoHost, Issues & Controversies, Factiva, and CQ Researcher to complete the English 111 Library Worksheet.

Still having problems?

• Your office network may be behind a firewall. To find out, ask your employer.
• None of the library databases work with AOL or CompuServe. After making a connection, minimize your browser. Then open Internet Explorer or Netscape. We recommend that you choose Internet Explorer. The library databases work better with it. If you do not have Internet Explorer, click here to download a free version.
• If you get a cookie error you may need to set your privacy setting to low. In Explorer, choose tools, internet options, and privacy tab. Then move the arrow to the low setting.
• The Factiva database will only work with Internet Explorer version 5.01 or higher. It will not work with Netscape.