Frequently Asked Questions
- Why is there a "Sign In" at the top that doesn't actually log me into INSPIRE?
The "Sign In" button is part of the INSPIRE search interface that allows the user to create an account with EBSCO, the vendor we use to power INSPIRE. When you create an account there, you can save searches and results and share those with others. It is a feature for advanced searching. If you see a yellow banner across the top of the page that says, "Indiana Residents Please Log in for Full Access to INSPIRE" this is where you would create an account validating that you are in Indiana.
- How will I know if I'm actually signed in or showing in Indiana?
If you see the yellow banner that says, "Indiana Residents Please Log in for Full Access to INSPIRE" you are not appearing to be in Indiana. You'll need to log in. Alternatively, when you try to access the full-text content, if you don't appear to be in Indiana, you'll see a pop-up window directing you to log in.
- What link should I use to get to INSPIRE?
http://inspire.in.gov
- Where can get help with logging in?
Email: [email protected]
- How can I change my password?
To change your password you must first login to your account. Once you have logged into your account you can change your password at: https://secure.in.gov/apps/ISL/inspire/www/change_password.aspx .
- How do I get access to TeachingBooks.net?
Teachingbooks.net is available to Indiana users who log into INSPIRE. If you go to a page requesting that you create an account when you input the address http://www.inspire.in.gov, the you are not logged in. Indiana residents may create an account to gain access to this resource.
- Are the folders and files I used to have available somewhere?
Yes. All the content for INSPIRE has remained the same. The only change has been to the centralized searching.
- How can I search a database through the native interface?
See the Databases A-Z page.
- Where can I get tutorials for using this interface?
EBSCO Discovery Service offers a number of help pages and video tutorials.
- Can I download a logo?
The logo may be downloaded here.
- What is INSPIRE?
INSPIRE is Indiana's Virtual Online Library. INSPIRE is a collection of academic databases and other information resources that can be accessed by Indiana residents using any computer equipped with Internet access in Indiana.
INSPIRE began in January 1998 as a project of the Indiana State Library, funded by a one-time development grant from the Lilly Endowment Inc. Since that time, INSPIRE has been supported by the Indiana General Assembly through Build Indiana Funds and the Institute of Museum and Library Services (IMLS) under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act (LSTA). Since 2009 the Academic Libraries of Indiana (ALI) have partnered with the State Library to supplement the funding for online resources.
- What kind of information is available on INSPIRE?
INSPIRE includes full-text magazine and journal articles, websites, pamphlets, images, almanacs, full-text historic newspapers, multimedia, library catalogs, and much more. In most cases, INSPIRE provides cover-to-cover indexing and abstracts of all articles that appear in every periodical with the exception of some newspapers.
- Who can access INSPIRE?
INSPIRE is a free resource available to all Indiana residents who have Internet access at school, home, in their library or at their place of business. Other states may offer similar services to their own residents.
- How much does INSPIRE cost to use?
INSPIRE is provided at no cost to all residents of Indiana.
- Who is paying for INSPIRE?
INSPIRE is a service of the Indiana State Library. INSPIRE is supported by the Indiana General Assembly through Build Indiana Funds, the Institute of Museums and Library Services under the provisions of the Library Services and Technology Act and in partnership with Academic Libraries of Indiana.
- Why do I get a message that I need to log in?
If you use a Internet Service Provider (ISP) that serves areas other than Indiana, your IP address may not be recognized. If this happens, you will need to apply for an INSPIRE Password.
- My local ISP is in Indiana but I cannot access INSPIRE from my computer. Why not?
We may need to update our authorization files with details of your ISP. Please use the INSPIRE Helpdesk form to send us your name, address and a telephone number for your Internet Service Provider so we can update our list of IP numbers. If you need immediate access, please apply for an INSPIRE Password.
- How do I get support if I have a problem?
You can contact INSPIRE support staff in the following ways:
- • By Telephone at (317) 232-3720. Telephone support is available Monday through Friday (except state holidays) from 8:00 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. (Eastern Time).
- • By Email at [email protected] Please include a detailed description of the problem and the exact wording of any error message you may have seen. Emails will be answered within one (1) business day of receipt.
- How are the contents of INSPIRE selected?
The Indiana State Library awards contracts with information vendors to provide content for INSPIRE. The content of INSPIRE is constantly under review and every few years the Indiana State Library issues a Request for Proposal (RFP) to vendors requesting bids on new products and services might be offered in the future.
- Can I find genealogy material on INSPIRE?
At the present time, INSPIRE does not contain a genealogy oriented database however it does include some resources that may help with genealogy research search, such as the Hoosier State Chronicles which contains the full text of a growing number of historic Indiana Newspapers.
- My computer uses a firewall [filter, etc.] to limit Internet access. What URLs do I need to allow in order to search the INSPIRE databases?
You will need to allow or white list the following sites in order to access INSPIRE.
- • inspire.in.gov
- • epnet.com
- • ebscohost.com
- • galegroup.com
- • litfinder.com
The exact format for entering these URLS will depend on your firewall or filter.
- How do I cite INSPIRE materials for the paper I am writing?
There are a number of resources available to use. Purdue University has an excellent website on how to cite sources, https://owl.english.purdue.edu Within INSPIRE there are a number of tools to aid in citing sources as well.
- How do I add an embedded searchbox on my webpage?
The code to add a Geo IP search box can be obtained by clicking here. -
