Slow Connectivity

The college and library try to keep the loading of all its pages to the optimum. Specific bandwidth is reserved solely for the library. All the library's web pages load in less than 1 minute even with a dial-up connection. However, the library cannot control the loading of databases and ebooks since they are maintained by their provider on their servers.

Some other causes may be your Internet provider, computer, home networking equipment, or the equipment on the Internet that neither you, your Internet provider, or the college owns.

Here are some troubleshooting tips in no particular order that may correct a slow connectivity:

• Reboot ALL of your home network equipment.
   
• Do a complete virus scan.
   
• Try using Internet Explorer (or a different browser if IE is what you are using). Learners have told the library that Google Chrome is faster than other browsers.  Links to the downloads
   
• Test the bandwidth between you and your Internet provider at http://speedtest.net.
   
• For mobile users, try switching to an opposite connection type (i.e. wired if you are wireless, or vice versa)
   
• If using Wi-Fi, make sure there isn't any interference.
  • Various other electronic devices such as cordless phones, garage door openers, baby monitors, microwave ovens, Bluetooth enabled, and neighbors' Wi-Fi may use this same frequency range. Any such device can interfere with a home network, slowing down its performance and potentially breaking network connections. more information
  • Water and building materials such as cinder blocks may also interfere with Wi-Fi.
     
• Try connecting via another Internet service provider (free Wi-Fi at a local library, coffee shop, bookstore, etc). Or, try from work if it is allowed.
   
• Downloading and streaming music, videos, etc can also cause connectivity to slow. Try only accessing the library without any other operations running on the your computer. If you are at home, make sure no other computers are downloading or streaming as you are accessing the library.
   
• Make sure no installed programs conflict with your Internet connection.
   
• Contact your Internet provider to see if they have any recommendation on how to improve your connectivity.
   
• Networks may slow periodically throughout the day as more users access the Internet. Try a different time.
   
• Browser configurations aren't known to slow loading but you can speed them up by blocking the download of pictures and images. In Internet Explorer, go to Tools > Internet Options > Advanced > scroll down to Multimedia and uncheck the "Show Pictures" option.

If none of the above works, please contact the library (email), 866.734.1275, Text a Librarian or IM. Tell us what database you are using, what search terms, what browser you are using, are you using Wi-Fi, or any other information to help us diagnosis the problem.