Library Passwords

Passwords Types at the NWU

Central Authentication Service (CAS) password

• The NWU uses a Central Authentication Service (CAS) to gain access to most of the services provided by IT (eFundi, email, MS Office 365 suite, to log into computers etc.)
• If you are a registered NWU student or staff member access to the Library databases is also provided via CAS.
• Your CAS password is used in conjunction with your NWU University number. Your initial password is either your ID number or password number followed by @Nwu e.g. 1234566789012@Nwu
• Click here
  • to reset your password (Video on how to reset you password.)
  • if you forgot your password
  • or contact the T&L Technologies Helpdesk at (018 285 5930) to create one for you. They are available on weekdays from 08:00 - 16:45.

Student PIN

• Your student PIN is used for academic systems e.g. registration, account enquiries, exam results, participation marks and personal exam timetable.
• You can reset or create your PIN on each of the above forms. Contact your campus IT if you have trouble resetting your PIN.

Library PIN

• Your Library PIN is used to access your Library Patron record.
• On your Library Patron record, you can renew your books, see overdue charges etc.
• North-West University staff and students log in with their surname, university number and Library PIN. This PDF explains how to create a library PIN. If you need help creating your PIN please contact the Loan Services Department.

VSS password (only for authorized NWU staff)

• This service manages student study admissions, residence admissions, registrations etc. Click here for more information regarding this service. Remember that your CAS password is not your VSS password.
• Click here to reset your VSS password.
• VSS password reset app

Database Access - NWU Students and Staff

• On-campus access

  • You must be a registered student/staff member of North-West University to access library databases.
  • Access is given automatically via IP authentication.
  • Some of the e-journals are individual subscriptions that do not work via IP authentication and require a unique password e.g. LexisNexis. Please contact your faculty librarian if you are not authenticated via CAS.

• Off-campus access

  • You must be a registered student/staff member of the North-West University to access library databases off-campus.
  • Access is given via CAS (Central Authentication Service).
  • CAS uses the same username and password that you use when you log into eFundi or your computer on campus.
  • Example of the CAS login screen.
    
    
     
  • If you do not have a CAS username and password call the T&L Technologies Helpdesk at 018 285 5930 (Monday - Friday: 08:00 - 16:45), and ask them to help you set up your CAS username and password.
  • If you want to change your CAS password click here.
  • Some of the e-journals are individual subscriptions that do not work via IP authentication and require a unique password e.g. LexisNexis. Please contact your faculty librarian if you are not authenticated via CAS.

Database Access - Non-Affiliated Users e.g. prospective Masters and PhD students

• External users not registered with the University can arrange for access to our databases via our Loan Services Department.
• Not all external user categories have access to databases. Click here for a complete list of our user categories and services. 
• You will receive a username and password via email from the library once you have registered at the Library. If you did not receive your username and email please complete his form.
• Example of the login screen:
  
  

Patron Record Access

• You will need a Library PIN to access your patron record. From your Patron Record you can access the following pages:
  • loans - see your current loans and renew them if possible
  • overdue charges - details of fines issued by the library
  • blocks and messages - to see reasons for blocks on your record. For full details of blocks and messages, inquire at your nearest Loan Services desk.
  • personal reading history list
  • saved searches
  • personal settings - to view your contact information
• North-West University staff and students log in with their surname, university number and Library PIN. This PDF explains how to create a library PIN. If you need help creating your PIN please contact the Loan Services Department.
• External users log in with their surname, library barcode and Library PIN.
• Example of the login screen:
  
  
   
• When using a public computer, please remember to sign out when you have finished using your Library Record account so that your searches and personal details remain private.