PCC Instructors: Instructions on how to update database links in your courses can be found on the Faculty Library Tools Links page.
The online resources (databases) provided by the Library are paid resources that include information not typically found for free on the internet. In order to access these paid resources, it is necessary for you to log in. Throughout the Library's website, hyperlinks to resources that require a login from off campus are visually indicated by a bulldog pawprint icon with alt text stating that a username and password are required for access.
...or anyone with a myPittCC account.
The username and password to access databases is exactly the same as what you use to access myPittCC and Moodle.
Once you click a database link, you will see the Library's proxy login page.
Have a myPittCC account?
If you do not know your myPittCC login, Ask a PCC Librarian for help accessing the databases using the Community Login.
A login is available for community residents with a current PCC Library account, as well as others who are enrolled in or are affiliated with PCC programs and continuing education courses.
If you are a PCC, ECHS, or CCP student who is given a temporary username and password because your myPittCC login is not working, you will use the Community Login section to enter that login information.
Updated 1/2/2024
Your myPittCC (campus portal, Moodle) username includes your first initial, middle initial, and your entire last name followed by the last three digits of your student ID number.
Check to make sure you have correctly typed the last part of the e-mail address with the periods in the correct places.
Example: jdstudent000@my.pittcc.edu
Does your password autofill on the site?
If so, delete the password that came up automatically and type it in yourself.
Go to the Pitt CC homepage (opens a new window), and click the myPittCC link.
Using a desktop or laptop computer?
You should see the link in the top right corner of the campus homepage.
Using a mobile device or tablet?
You may need to click the MENU icon, then scroll down until you see myPittCC.
Try logging in to myPittCC.
If you can log in to myPittCC, you should be able to use the same password to log in to the Library's online resources.
If your password for myPittCC autofills, and you can't remember what it is, then you will need to contact PCC Technical Support.
If you are prompted by myPittCC to update or reset your password, it must:
Don't stress. You can get a temporary login.
If the Library is open, you can call or email us.
Another option is to use our chat service, which operates 24 hours a day except on holidays. This service is staffed by actual librarians who are there to help you.
Updated: 12/12/2023
Passwords that are saved in internet browsers can be viewed, updated, and deleted. We suggest that you visit the support or help site for the browser that you are using on your personal computer or device. Many times you will be required to enter an admin password in order to access this area, so if you are not sure what that is, this may not be something that you can do.
Below are links to the support sites for several popular internet browsers.
If you've successfully logged into myPittCC (campus portal) but you are getting a database level login screen or other access error, your Internet browser may be the issue.
It's always a good idea to have more than one browser on your computer, because different resources work differently in different browsers, and login errors can get saved in your cache even if they are just temporary. Many login errors are resolved by trying a different browser. If you can't use a different browser, try clearing your cache and search history.
Browser caches are designed to make your web pages load faster, but the cache can prevent you from reaching the correct page when using secure resources like library databases.
There are two options to clear browser cache problems. One option is to clear the entire cache for the browser. Another option is to bypass the cache with a hard refresh. A hard refresh clears the cache for a specific page, forcing it to load the most recent version.
Before you begin! Clearing your web browser's cache, cookies, and history may remove data such as the following:
While you should clear your web browser's cache, cookies, and history periodically in order to prevent or resolve performance problems, you may wish to record some of your saved information first.
In most browsers on PC and Mac, you can perform a simple action to force a hard refresh. Hold down the Shift key on your keyboard and click on the reload icon on your browser’s toolbar.
If you need to clear your cache, cookies, and history for troubleshooting purposes, but aren't yet prepared to lose your content such as saved password, shopping cart contents, etc., you may wish to consider using a private browsing window as a temporary solution.
On occasion a database is down for maintenance or there are issues that impact using a feature of a database. These outages and issues cannot be controlled the library or our IT department. Here are links to a few of our most popular database vendor websites showing the status of their products and services.