LibAnswers

If you usually access our eLibrary and online Research resources from outside the library, occasionally your web browser (Chrome, Safari, Firefox, Edge, etc.) may get stuck in a redirect loop or have trouble connecting to our resources.

Possible Solutions

Typically you can solve this issue by clearing your browser's cache and cookies. For instructions, look in the "Help" section of your web browser's menu or find guidance online, such as these guides for how to Clear Your Cache, Cookies, and History from WhatIsMyBrowser.com.

Note: For an easy first step, start by clearing just the cache. If the issue persists, then consider clearing cookies. Deleting cookies usually requires you to re-login to any websites that you're currently logged into through that web browser.

Try connecting to the internet using a different network. If you've connected to the internet through a network at work, school, or a business, these may have firewall restrictions that prevent you from fully accessing resources through the library. Virtual Private Networks may also have more restrictive firewalls, so you can try disconnecting from the VPN. Home networks generally have fewer restrictions than corporate, government, or education networks.

Check your antivirus software, browser settings and extensions/add-ons. If your web browsers are protected by security programs that monitor and manage your web traffic, such as antivirus software, pop-up blockers, ad blockers, and script blockers, you can allow jocolibrary.org and ezproxy.jocolibrary.org as safe sites so that the resource you're trying to access receives the necessary data that verifies you are a valid library patron.

If the issue continues after following those steps, please contact us with this information:

• Resource(s) you're attempting to access
• Web browser version (one option is WhatIsMyBrowser.com for a quick check)
• Steps you've taken that lead up to the error
• The exact error message that displays

Why this happens

If you access our online resources from outside the library, you are asked to login with your Library account details. In many cases, this creates a "cookie" that your browser uses to tell the resource that you are a valid Johnson County Library patron and allows you to access it. It's like a ticket for admission.

Redirects can happen when your browser has stored cookies from many past visits. Just like admission tickets, eventually that cookie will expire, prompting you to login for a new session, but the old cookies are still saved in your browser. Sometimes data from previous sessions interferes with new logins, getting the browser stuck in a loop or failing to securely connect as it tries to get a valid ticket. By clearing the cache and cookies from your browser, it deletes the old expired data so the browser only uses the newest login data when trying to access a Library resource.

Connection errors can also happen when firewalls and various blockers prevent cookies from ever being picked up by your browser and delivered to the resource, which is like losing your admission ticket before you get to the entrance — no cookie (ticket), no entry. Telling your security programs that library websites are "safe" can allow the browser cookies to be delivered to the Library resource.