[Database] Web of Science Research Assistant is Now Available

 On 2026-03-09 (295 reads)

We are pleased to announce that Web of Science Research Assistant, an AI tool for literature searching, is now available.

Web of Science Research Assistant is a generative AI tool in Web of Science. It allows users to ask questions in natural language, including Japanese and English, and helps with finding relevant papers, reviewing literature, and exploring research trends and topics. Its answers are based on trusted data in Web of Science. Users can also check the source records and search criteria in the results.

We hope you will find this tool useful for literature surveys and topic exploration.

How to Use

Access Web of Science (via the authentication system).
Then select the “Research Assistant” tab at the top of the screen.

Further Information

 

[Solved] Technical Issues with the E-Journal/Database Authentication System

 On 2026-03-08 (402 reads)

The issue has been resolved. We apologize for the inconvenience. (March 9, 2026)

 

We are experiencing a technical issue with our E-Journal/Database Authentication System (As of March 8, 2026, 10:00 AM). When attempting to access electronic resources, the error message "EZproxy is currently unavailable. Please contact your system administrator for assistance" is displayed, and resources cannot be accessed.

We apologize for the inconvenience and ask for your patience while we work to restore service.

[University Library Electronic Resources Team]

 

[Library Network] Conditions of Use and Licensing Restrictions for E-Resource

 On 2026-03-03 (415 reads)

Prohibited Actions When Using Electronic Resources

Mass Downloading Strictly Prohibited

  • Automated operations or bulk downloads using programs
  • Rapid consecutive clicks (prohibited even manually)
  • Access via browser prefetch functions
  • Copying, redistribution, or use beyond personal purposes
Penalty If detected as excessive access, not only the individual but access from the entire university may be blocked.

Cases of Unintentional "Excessive Access"

Cases where actions are considered "attacks" by system specifications are increasing, even without malicious intent.

Case 1. Group Division of Work

Multiple people in a lab divided download tasks manually. Since the access source (university IP) was the same, it was detected as concentrated access in a short period.

Solution: Space out your downloads and only retrieve what you need
Case 2. Continuous Abstract Viewing

Clicking through HTML abstracts and full texts one after another. Even without opening PDFs, the request frequency to the server was considered "downloading".

Solution: Use abstract databases (Web of Science, etc.) for research
Case 3. Automatic Retrieval by Tools

The "auto-import PDF" setting in reference management software was ON, causing repeated mass access in the background.

Solution: Turn OFF the settings below immediately
Case 4. Physical Accident

A book fell on the keyboard, holding down the F5 key (refresh). Hundreds of accesses were recorded in just a few minutes.

Solution: Be careful around your PC when away

Essential! Settings Review Checklist

Reference Management Software (Turn OFF Auto-DL)

Prevent unintended background communication.

Paperpile Settings > Storage & Sync
OFF "Automatically download PDFs"
EndNote Click
Mendeley		 Disable the extension or uncheck "Automatically add PDFs" in settings.
Zotero Do not run "Find PDF" on multiple selections.
Turn OFF Connector proxy settings when off-campus.
ReadCube Do not use "LOCATE PDF" on multiple selections.

Web Browser (Turn OFF Prefetch)

"Page loading speed improvement" features access sites in the background.

EEdge Settings > Cookies and site data
OFF "Preload pages for..."
CChrome Settings > Performance
OFF "Preload pages"
SSafari Preferences > Search
OFF "Preload Top Hit in..."
FFirefox about:config > network.prefetch-next
false Change value to "false"

Generative AI & Data Mining

Using electronic resources for AI training or data mining may require special permission or contracts from publishers. Please contact the library in advance.
* Uploading content to cloud-based generative AI may constitute copyright infringement.

Strict Account Management

Please manage your ECS-ID (students) or SPS-ID (faculty/staff) carefully.
"Lending your ID to others" or "using someone else's ID" is prohibited under Kyoto University's Information System Usage Regulations.

Posters & Flyers

Proper use of electronic resources
 

[Important] Introduction of Multi-Factor Authentication for E-Journal and Database Access

 On 2026-02-19 (3804 reads)

*Multi-factor authentication has been introduced. Please refer to the explanation below when using it. (2026.2.19).

*Added a note that short-term IDs are not subject to multi-factor authentication (no one-time password required) (2025.12.25).

Starting Thursday, February 19, 2026, as part of our security enhancement measures, we will introduce the university's multi-factor authentication (at our university, "two-factor authentication" combining two elements) operated by the Institute for Information Management and Communication for access to electronic journals and databases.

There will be no major changes to the procedure itself, but the login screen flow and input fields will change. This is the same as logging into student email (KUMOI) or faculty/staff email (KUMail).

Multi-factor authentication image
[Please Confirm]
With the introduction of multi-factor authentication, in addition to your ECS-ID/SPS-ID and password, you will need to enter a "one-time password" generated by your smartphone or an authentication app.
*Access with a short-term ID is not subject to multi-factor authentication (no one-time password is required).

1. Overview of Changes

In addition to conventional ID and password authentication, we will require a second factor (one-time password) for identity verification, thereby improving the security level.
This will reduce the risk of unauthorized use due to leakage of IDs and passwords.

Before Change (Current) ECS-ID or SPS-ID + Password
After Change (From February 19, 2026) 1. ECS-ID or SPS-ID + Password
2. One-Time Password (6-digit or 8-digit number)
*If you use a short-term ID, a one-time password is not required.

2. How to Use After Multi-Factor Authentication Introduction

The basic flow of "clicking the bookmarklet to authenticate" remains unchanged.

Connection Procedure

1 Access the electronic journal or database website
2 Click the authentication system bookmarklet (EJDB) registered in your browser's bookmarks
3 Enter your ECS-ID/SPS-ID and password on the authentication screen
4 [Additional Step] Enter the one-time password
*Please enter the code from an authenticator app such as Google Authenticator, a browser extension, or an email notification.
5 After successful authentication, the full text of the electronic journal will be displayed

3. Advance Preparation Required

To use multi-factor authentication, you need to complete the university-wide multi-factor authentication setup in advance.
If you have not yet completed the setup, please refer to the following manual.

Multi-Factor Authentication Getting Started Manual (Institute for Information Management and Communication)
https://u.kyoto-u.jp/mfa-start-en

[Contact]
Main Library, Electronic Resources Team
https://www.kulib.kyoto-u.ac.jp/form/14106?lang=en

 

[Solved] IEEE Xplore Access Problems

 On 2026-01-09 (606 reads)
✓ This issue has been resolved. We apologize for any inconvenience caused. (2026.1.9)

Currently, when accessing "IEEE Xplore" through the E-Journal and Database Authentication System, an error (code 418) occurs and the service is unavailable.

We apologize for the inconvenience. The provider is currently working on the issue. Please wait until the service is restored.