Frequently Asked Questions

1. How can I access AVL from home?
2. Is there a fee to access this information?
3. Can my family share one AVL account?
4. Can I change my password?
5. When does my password expire?
6. How do I renew my card?
7. How do I renew my card if I have moved away from the issuing library?
8. How can I retrieve my password if I forget it or misplace my card?
9. How do I let someone know that a password has been compromised or shared with others who should not have access?
10. What are the minimum browser requirements for remote access?
11. Where do I log in?
12. Something isn't working. Who do I call?
13. Is there a time limit on my access to AVL during a single session?
14. What constitutes abuse of AVL access?
15. I tried to log in, but it wouldn't let me. What could be wrong?
16. I was able to log in, and I can access the AVL resources. But when I do a search, I get an error message about having "insufficient credentials". What could be wrong?
17. Does AVL have any listservs that I could join?
18. What is AVL's Home Access policy?
19. I am a K-12 media specialist. What are the policies regarding K-12 card use, and how do I issue cards to my students?
20. How do I cite AVL resources?
21. Why can't I get the multimedia resources from Britannica to play on my computer?
22. How can I create an AVL icon for my desktop that will link to the AVL webpage?
23. My question is not listed here. What do I do now?
    
    
    

1.   How can I access AVL from home?
Any Alabama resident may access the Alabama Virtual Library from the home, office, or other remote site.Visit your local public library to request a remote access card. K-12 students/staff in public schools may obtain a card from their school library. This will allow you to access the AVL resources from your home, office, or other remote location. Sign in. top

2.   Is there a fee to access this information?
No. AVL resources are provided to all Alabama citizens by funding from the Alabama Legislature. top

3.   Can my family share one AVL account?
We encourage each person to register for a card. The remote access system is designed to permit only one session at a time per user ID. If one family member is using the card at home, that session will be terminated when another family member attempts to use the same user ID from another location. top

4.   Can I change my password?
Yes. Once you login via Home Access with your AVL Card, you will notice a Change Password icon at the top of the screen. Simply click on the Change Password icon, and follow the instructions to change your password. NOTE: Changing your password will require you to create a unique username, and your username can no longer be your last name.top

5.   When does my password expire?
Cards should be renewed every 3 years at the issuing library. If patrons move out of the community or public school students move to another school system, they would then need to obtain cards from the public library or school system where they currently reside upon expiration of the card. Cards are not "reissued" to students or patrons, but simply "renewed" when patrons continue to reside in the same community or attend school in the same public school system. A message will notify the patron 30 days before the card expires. top

6.   How do I renew my card?
To renew the card, contact the issuing library to request a renewal. The password will be reset to expire three years from the time the record is updated. Note: access can be denied at any time by the AVL system if access is abused. top

7.   How do I renew my card if I have moved away from the issuing library?
Visit the local Alabama library in your new community. K-12 students/staff in public schools may also visit their new school library. A new card will be issued, and the previous one will automatically expire on the preset date. top

8.   How can I retrieve my password if I forget it or misplace my card?
The issuing library can search its records for your information and give you the new password.top

9.   How do I let someone know that a password has been compromised or shared with others who should not have access?
Contact your local Alabama library and provide as much information as possible including the user name of the compromised account. The AVL technical staff will review access records to verify the report. If the review indicates that the account has been shared with others, the password will be deactivated by the AVL technical staff. top

10.   What are the minimum browser requirements for remote access?
The remote access system relies on cookies to authenticate users. Acceptable browsers are Netscape 7.0 and higher, Internet Explorer 5.5 and higher, Firefox 1.0 and higher, and Safari 1.2 and higher. top

11.   Where do I log in?
After obtaining an AVL password, you can access AVL resources clicking on the AVL Home Access button at http://www.avl.lib.al.us. top

12.   Something isn't working. Who do I call?
Contact the issuing library to verify that you have entered the correct password. If an error message or warning is displayed, copy the message exactly as you see it, including the URL showing in the location/address bar. Indicate the date and time, and forward this information, along with the browser version you used, to the staff at your library. The library staff will forward the information to the AVL technical staff. top

13.   Is there a time limit on my access to AVL during a single session?
The AVL session will expire two hours after the last recorded AVL activity. If the session has ended, the patron will be prompted to re-enter the user's last name and password. top

14.   What constitutes abuse of AVL access?
An AVL user may not sell, distribute or commercially exploit a product nor make an AVL database available on a network or through remote access technology. Misuse of services provided by AVL may result in denial of service. top

15.   I tried to log in, but it wouldn't let me. What could be wrong?

If your login attempt failed:

1. Are you logging in to the correct page?
   Go to http://www.avl.lib.al.us. Choose the light blue 'Home Access' button. On the next page, you should be able to enter your AVL information. When you have successfully logged in, you are sent to a special page: http://www.avl.lib.al.us/cgi-bin/protected/librarypage.cgi

   The links on this page are designed to work with the AVL card. The links on the page for schools, colleges, and libraries do NOT work with the AVL card.

2. Are you entering your password correctly?
   Verify your password. Did you transpose i/1/I or o/O/0? Passwords do not contain numbers.

3. Do you have a Y2K compliant browser that has cookies and JavaScript enabled?
   Confirm that you have cookies and JavaScript enabled. See the HELP feature for your browser for more information on resetting these options. You can check your browser's compatibility with our confirmation page which will attempt to set a cookie and check your referral status.

4. Is your computer's clock set correctly?
   Make sure that your computer's clock is set to the correct time. Your AVL cookie is valid for a two hour time period.

5. Have you previously set up your computer to access the AVL through the Jefferson County Library Cooperative?
   The JCLC offers remote access to all AVL databases along with additional databases licensed for Jefferson County patrons. If you are a Jefferson County library patron, you do not need a separate AVL card. If your computer is already configured for JCLC, you will see an error if you attempt to be authenticated with an AVL card. Visit the JCLC web site for additional information. Bottom line: If you are already configured for access through JCLC, do not use your AVL card; use the JCLC system.

16.   I was able to log in, and I can access the AVL resources. But when I do a search, I get an error message about having "insufficient credentials". What could be wrong?

Here are some reasons why you might get that error message.

1. Are you using AOL or CompuServe?

   Some AOL/CS users may experience difficulty accessing certain AVL resources. This stems from the non-standard way that the integrated AOL/CS interface handles referral pages. We are asking AOL/CS users to minimize their special browsers and to use Netscape or Internet Explorer to access the AVL. At the browser's location prompt, type in www.avl.lib.al.us and proceed as normal.

2. Do you have a firewall/security software installed?

   If you use Norton's Suite of security programs, you may find it necessary to disable Pop-up Blocker (Norton AntiSpam) and Privacy Control (Norton Personal Firewall).

   Some vendors use referral pages to authenticate AVL card users. The vendor's server needs to recognize that you just left the home access page before it allows you to access their content without additional passwords. Some personal firewall/privacy software can strip this referral information from your document requests. It is the network equivalent of blocking caller ID on your phone system.

To work around this problem, you need to add those companies to a bypass list. Many vendors include excellent help files in their software. Search for words such as "bypass list" or "exception list". The specific domains to include are:

140.234.*.*
63.208.197.*
*.epnet.com
*.oclc.com
*.galegroup.com
*.sirs.com
72.164.152.*
204.179.122.*

3. Is your Internet Explorer privacy setting set too high?

   Your Internet Explorer privacy settings may be set too high. Go to the "Tools" menu and select "Internet Options". Click the "Privacy" tab and make sure your settings are "medium" or lower.

4. Are you using a Macintosh computer?

   If so, EBSCO recommends that Macintosh users use Netscape 7.0 or higher, or Safari 1.2 or higher.

If you still need help, please contact the AVL Help Desk. top

17.   Does AVL have any listservs that I could join?

AVL Mailing Lists

The AVL has created three lists to keep our users up-to-date with AVL news.

List: avl@list.virtual.lib.al.us

Audience: Open to anyone with an interest in the AVL
Purpose: The AVL list-serv was created for general discussion about the AVL. Service bulletins, technical updates and other announcements are sent to this list by AVL council members, AVL vendors, and AVL supporters. List members may also send messages to the list with questions or comments about AVL.
Subscribe: http://list.virtual.lib.al.us/mailman/listinfo/avl

List: aplsadmin@list.virtual.lib.al.us

Audience: Open to the staff members of Alabama's public libraries. Must be approved by APLS staff member
Purpose: The APLSadmin list serves the public library community in Alabama. APLSadmin is an important tool for communicating with public library staff about AVL issues, funding opportunities and grants, APLS statewide programs, and other issues of interest to the directors and administrative staff of Alabama's public libraries.
Subscribe: Send e-mail to Kelyn Ralya, kralya@apls.state.al.us to be added. Please include your name, library name, and position as an introduction to the list owners.

List: alms@yahoogroups.com

Audience: Open to K-12 media specialists. Coordinated by the Office of Technology of Initiatives, Alabama State Department of Education
Purpose: ALMS is an online community of library media specialists who share their knowledge and skills. New library media specialists are encouraged to ask questions and join in the discussion. All staff members involved in issuing AVL cards are encouraged to subscribe.
Subscribe: Send e-mail to Ginger Eastman at geastman@alsde.edu.

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18.   What is AVL's Home Access policy?

Home Access Policy

The Alabama Virtual Library (AVL) provides a world of quality library information licensed for Alabama library users. Materials include magazine articles, newspapers, encyclopedias, and other reference sources. Access is granted to all Alabama citizens at Alabama public libraries and at libraries of public education facilities. Home access is also provided to Alabama citizens through local public libraries. To register for an access card, an individual must visit his local public library and meet local library registration policies.

The AVL will use the personal information collected during AVL card registration only to authenticate users for AVL access and to provide updates on the AVL and its databases to registered home users. The personal information collected will not be released, sold, or used for other purposes.

AVL databases accessed via Alabama Virtual Library card are for personal use only. The databases are licensed for use only by Alabama citizens and by users of Alabama public libraries. Please make full use of these databases, but keep your personal password secure and private. Use of the AVL by unauthorized users outside of Alabama will jeopardize use of the databases by all Alabama citizens.

An AVL user may not sell, distribute or commercially exploit a product nor make an AVL database available on a network or through remote access technology. Misuse of services provided by AVL may result in denial of service.

An AVL user must have Internet access. General knowledge of web browser and simple search forms is recommended. Searching tips and general database information are available through help screens, tutorials and the AVL webpage at http://www.avl.lib.al.us. To learn specifics of using a database, visit your local public library.

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19.   I am a K-12 media specialist. What are the policies regarding K-12 card use, and how do I issue cards to my students?

K12 Home Access Card FAQs

Some students who have cards issued by the public libraries need new cards since theirs have expired. Do we issue them a whole new card, or will they be in the system and be counted as a renewal even though the issuer is not the same?

Each student can decide. If they have a card issued by the public library, they may return to the issuing public library to have the card renewed. They can have a new card issued by the K-12 school; it simply means they will have a new password. Only active cards are counted; therefore, the student would not be counted twice.

If we didn't put an expiration date on the card, wouldn't the child be able to keep the same card year after year? This would be much better than reissuing cards in order to avoid the expense of the cards and time given to each card.

The card must be renewed not reissued every 3 years. All renewal requires is that the student go to the issuing library, the librarian pulls up that student's record and clicks the "renew" button. The 3-year renewal period is a requirement of the vendors to assure that the users are legitimate. However, you are not required to put an expiration date if you choose not to. We provided this area on the card as a visual reminder to the student that the card expires 3 years from the date of issue. Thirty days prior to expiration of the card, upon patron login, the AVL will give the user a warning of expiration. Once the card expires, the user will no longer be able to login until they renew the card.

Who do I contact to find out about our system's cards?

Each system has one primary contact to coordinate this program with SDE and the AVL helpdesk. All AVL card issue information will be sent to this representative named by the school system. Each contact should have a copy of all the information that explains the issue, along with copies of the training manuals and passwords.

If you do not know who the contact person is in your system, please email Ginger Eastman at geastman@alsde.edu.

How do I get more K-12 AVL cards?

E-mail Ginger Eastman at geastman@alsde.edu.

I tried to log in but my password did not work.

There is an error in the training manual. Please make sure the address is correct:
https://www.avl.lib.al.us/cgi-bin/students/student.cgi.

Easy mistakes to check:

• https:// --You must have the S for the secure page.
• www.avl.lib.al.us/ --There was an error in the training manual and the 'al' was omitted from the address on one page.
• cgi-bin/ --The second letter is a lowercase 'G'.
• students/ --The directory is 'students' (plural).
• student.cgi --The file is 'student' (singular), and, again, there is a 'G' in the cgi extension.
  
  

How will you notify schools of changes in the program?

We will primarily use the ALMS listserv. Please encourage other librarians in your system to join the alms list. E-mail Ginger Eastman at geastman@alsde.edu for more information.

Will private schools be able to issue cards?

The AVL card issue is a K-12 public school initiative. The card issue involves the issue of cards to students attending public schools and faculty/staff employed by the public school systems. Parents, volunteers and others associated with K-12 public school, but not on staff, will obtain cards from the public library. Independent school students, as well, will obtain cards at the public library in their community. Public school students who have AVL cards issued by the public library may choose to continue to use and renew them at the public library.

 

Can I issue a card to staff at the central office?

Yes. We added a "Central Office" option to the pull-down listing of schools for each system. Please use this option for system administrators and support staff who are not based at one particular school.

 

Can I just e-mail you a list of my students? Why do I need to enter this information when I already have a copy electronically?

There is no batch upload option at this time. A staff member at each school will need to enter the student information to generate a unique AVL card.

 

How can I delete students?

There is no "delete" button. The easiest way to have students deleted is to

• login to the site where you issue cards
• mark each student (that you wish to delete) as "Access Denied"
• notify the AVL Help Desk that you are ready to have the "Access Denied" students deleted

Our school has grades 6-8. At the beginning of the year, our 6th grade students are still listed under their elementary school, and our last year's 8th grade students (who are now 9th graders) are still listed under our school instead of the high school. How do I fix this?

Each year, AVL Technical Support automatically increments the grade level for each student with a card. However, media specialists at the individual schools must coordinate with each other to manually change the school that the students are associated with. To manually change the school affiliation of each student,

• login to the site where you issue cards
• edit the students that need to be affiliated with a different school
• make the changes and "Submit" or "Renew"

20.   How do I cite AVL resources?
Opinions vary about how to cite online resources. Some AVL databases have information about how to cite their resources. For example, on the main page for SIRS Knowledge Source, there is a button in the upper right of the screen (Cite) which provides information about how SIRS recommends citing sources. There is also a webpage that you might find helpful,

http://www.apastyle.org/elecsource.html

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21.   Why can't I get the multimedia resources from Britannica to play on my computer?
If you're having problems with any of the multimedia on Britannica Online and Britannica Online School Edition, please review the following information and share it with your technical support staff.

SOFTWARE PLUG-INS

The the following 3 software plug-ins are required to play the video and audio clips on Britannica Online:

Microsoft Media Player (TM) (version 7.1 or highest version available for the computer's platform)
Apple QuickTime (TM)
Real Player (TM)

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22.   How can I create an AVL icon for my desktop that will link to the AVL webpage?

To create an AVL icon on your desktop that will link to the AVL webpage:

• Steps to create an AVL icon on your Desktop:
• Right click on AVL icon image and select "Save Target As"
• Make sure it says Desktop next to "Save in:" and then click on "Save"

• Link the AVL icon to the AVL webpage
• Open the AVL page in an internet browser
• Go to a blank spot on the webpage, right click, and select "Create Shortcut"
• Answer Yes when asked if you want to create a shortcut on your desktop
• Go to the desktop and right click on shortcut to the AVL webpage and select "Properties"
• From the "Web Document" tab, click "Change Icon"
• Browse to the desktop, select the AVL icon, and click "Open"
• Click "OK"
• Now click "Apply" and then click "OK"

The shortcut to the AVL webpage that you just created should now be an AVL icon. Test it out to make sure it links to the desired webpage.

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23.   My question is not listed here. What do I do now?

Additional Help Required

• Your name, e-mail address, and a phone number for any required follow-up;
• A description of the steps you took to access a particular database, including where you started the process, the URLs displayed or links visited, and the complete error message you were given;
• The date and time of the problem;
• Indicate which browser version you are using (Internet Explorer, 5.0; Netscape 4.0, etc.)