Technical questions

Is it possible to create copies of books that are available for viewing in the special collections reading room?

No, single-handed reproducing is not allowed in the special collections reading room. Reproductions of media (manuscripts, rare prints) that are supposed to be received in the special collections reading room are exclusively produced by the SLUB.

Further information:

I am not a member of the TU Dresden. Can I access licensed electronic resources?

Yes. You can fully access databases, e-journals und e-books at all SLUB locations. To do so, you will need a valid SLUBCARD.
In addition, there are a number of licensed databases and e-books which are available to all users with a valid SLUBCARD from outside the TU Dresden campus.

 

How can I access licensed electronic resources from home?

Access is only granted to TU Dresden members.
Many databases / e-journals are fee-based and licensed by the SLUB. The access is therefore limited. Members of the TU Dresden can access these resources via VPN or DBoD (Databases on Demand) with their SLUBCARD user number and password.

A certain number of licensed databases and e-books are now available for all users with a valid SLUBCARD from home

Further information:

What does "Access via DBoD" or "Shibboleth" mean?

Access via DBoD - Databases on Demand: The initial access to electronic resources happens through a so called EZproxy-Server that redirects the user to the requested content. In this way, unlimited access to licensed databases is possible also beyond the campus net. When a connection is made via proxy , the URL contains the supplement wwwdb.dbod.de/login=

Shibboleth: The user signs in with their user number and password. It is checked whether the user is authorized to access location-independent services or licensed contents of several providers.

I am visually impaired - is there a PC workstation available for me?

Yes. The PC workstation for the blind and visually impaired is located at the Central Library, level 0, room 0.44. There, the software JAWS - Job Access with Speech is installed. The PC is equipped with a screen reader, a text-to-speech audio reader and a scanner for book edges. Please contact our staff at the Service Counter.

Can I edit my own texts at the library's PC workstations?

Yes. At all PC workplaces there is LibreOffice installed. You can edit own texts, presentations or tables - also if they are created in MicrosoftOffice - via the Viewer. It is important to save the file in your editing format.
Please note: after ten minutes of inactivity the current user will be logged out, following a respective warning. At this point at the latest, all your personal data such as downloads, forms, histories and passwords are permanently deleted.

What do PC workstations at the SLUB offer?

Our PC workstations are based on a Linux Mint system with a Firefox and Google Chrome browser. The language of the system and the application programs can be switched from German to English. Zotero is pre-installed. LibreOffice is available at all workstations. Research results can be sent by email or to a printing station, or can be transferred to a USB flash drive.

 

Can I renew my SLUB CARD online?

No, the extension of the validity of the SLUBcard is not possible via an online form or any other web option of the user account.

But you can renew the validity of your SLUBcard via the contact form on the SLUB homepage, via SLUB Chat or by phone at +49 351 4677-390.

For this purpose we need the following data from you:

  • user number
  • name, first name
  • date of birth
  • current address
  • Students of the TU Dresden: photo/scan of your student ID or certificate of enrollment (in case of renewal by phone, please present it at the service desk during your next SLUB visit

What is Shibboleth?

Shibboleth is a method for distributed authentication and authorization for web applications and web services. The web services are services of the SLUB Dresden, such as the user account, room booking or DBoD. In addition, Shibboleth enables the use of many of our licensed offerings, including Springer, Elsevier and De Gruyter.

The concept provides that users only have to authenticate themselves once in order to be able to access services or licensed content from different providers from anywhere. This behavior is known as single sign-on (SSO).

In order to use the online offers, the providers require information for the allocation or checking of authorizations. Users must agree to the transmission of this information. In order to save data, in most cases only the user number and the affiliation are transmitted.

In order to be able to guarantee the advantages of this distributed access by different parties, a relationship of trust between the participants is a prerequisite. In Germany, the DFN association organizes the legal framework and provides the necessary infrastructure. The result is the DFN-AAI federation.

Due to the provision of the DFN, Shibboleth is already very common in the scientific environment. More and more content providers recognize the advantages and support this form of access.

Shibboleth is based on an extension of the SAML standard. Three components are used in this process:

  1. Identity Provider (IdP): Located at the home institution. This is where the login information is entered.
  2. Service Provider (SP): It resides with the provider and manages access.
  3. Location Service or Discovery Service: In most cases, the user must tell the provider which home institution he/she belongs to prior to access. Once this is done, it is forwarded to the IdP.

Can I use Wi-Fi at the SLUB?

Yes. SLUB users can access the Wi-Fi net at every library location. All you need is a WiFi-enabled device and a valid SLUBCard or eduroam login. You can find further information on this page: secured WiFi in the SLUB