Access from Home

The digital services of the University Library are available to all registered users within the Ruhr-Universität campus network. You need a LoginID to access the electronic resources.

RUB students and employees can also use the electronic resources licensed by the University Library (e-books, e-journals, databases) from their home Internet connection using their LoginID and password. This is possible via a VPN connection (VPN = Virtual Private Network) or via Shibboleth.

Access via VPN

To access the University Library's electronic media from outside the campus network, you must connect to the campus network via VPN using your computer, notebook or smartphone.

What is VPN?

The abbreviation VPN stands for "Virtual Private Network" and describes encrypted remote access to campus applications and shared resources without the persons accessing them having to be on the RUB campus. Put simply, a VPN makes the network believe that your computer is located on campus.

After configuring and starting the client, you will be asked for your LoginID and password. Once you have entered these, the VPN connection is established. As the number of simultaneous VPN connections is limited, it is important to terminate the VPN connection immediately when it is no longer required.

What do you need?

Please note: After configuring and starting the VPN client, you will be asked for your LoginID and the corresponding password. Please use your LoginID with the extension ".bib" for the connection (example: obermxsp.bib). As the number of simultaneous VPN connections is limited, it is important to terminate the VPN connection immediately when it is no longer required

Do you need help with the installation?

  • On the RUB IT.SERVICES website you will find step-by-step instructions for each system.
  • For legal reasons, external access to licensed services of the University Library is blocked for emeriti and alumni, although exceptions can be made for emeriti in justified cases. Please contact IT.SERVICES if you wish to continue using the VPN tunnel..
  • Please note: Apple's Safari browser often prevents the license from being validated even if the connection is correct. We advise against using this browser.
Access via Shibboleth
logo shibboleth

Some of the electronic resources licensed by the University Library can be used by RUB members from home not only via the VPN tunnel. Alternatively, you can authenticate yourself using Shibboleth and the LoginID.

If you click on one of the links, you will - depending on the provider - either be directed to the login screen of our Shibboleth server, or you must first select "German Higher Education and Research" and then "Ruhr-Universität Bochum" from a pull-down menu and then log in.

So far, Shibboleth access has been set up for the electronic services listed below: