A database is a collection of information, and in the context of libraries, it's often a database filled with scientific articles and/or abstracts. You can find those databases in our library's catalogue, lib.ugent.be.

If you're a student, researcher or staff member at Ghent University, you can access the databases at one of the Ghent University libraries. You can also access most databases from home. Logging in with your UGent account on lib.ugent.be is sufficient to gain access to UGent-only collections from home or on the go. Using a VPN is no longer necessary to consult library resources. The Lean Library browser extension helps you seamlessly access UGent-only resources when using tools such as Google Scholar or PubMed.

If you're not affiliated with Ghent University as a student, researcher, or staff member, you can access the databases in one of the UGent libraries.

Levels of access

By and large, there are 4 levels of access:

• Open Access: everyone can browse the database, regardless of affiliation
• UGent only: you can access the databases within the UGentNet. This means any computer on campus, at home via the catalogue or Lean Library, or at home via VPN connection
• Only accessible for a certain faculty
• Not accessible

Are you not sure which level of access applies to the source you want to use? Go to the library's catalogue, lib.ugent.be, and look up the source, you will find all access-options on the record's detail page.

No access

Why can't I access a database or online source? Here are some possible reasons:

• It's a UGent only source and you are not connected to the UGentNet.
• The publication is confidential and cannot be viewed by anyone.
• The publication has not been published yet.
• Ghent University has a license for a limited amount of users (at the same time) and the maximum number of simultaneous users has been reached.
• The publisher placed an embargo on the source. This happens often with recent years of a journal.
• You can only access the database or source from certain faculties, and you're elsewhere.
• The publisher only allows for on-campus access and you're trying to access the source via the catalogue, with the Lean Library extension or a VPN connection.

If you can't access a source that you should be able to access, or if you have other access-related issues, you can contact the University Library via libservice@ugent.be.