"FirstSearch won't let me in!"

We share our FirstSearch databases with other libraries in Oklahoma. Occasionally, too many people try to search databases on FirstSearch at the same time. When this happens, you’ll get prompted for an authorization and a password. You’ll also see this message:

"The number of simultaneous users for the consortia has been exceeded. Please try again."

The only solution is to keep trying. It’s likely that someone will exit FirstSearch soon and you’ll be able to get into the database you need. 

The busiest times for FirstSearch are Monday through Wednesday from 10:00AM to 3:00PM. Getting blocked from FirstSearch is likeliest early in the semester when Oklahoma libraries are teaching classes on how to use FirstSearch databases. 

The library receives a monthly report that shows how often FirstSearch refuses connections because too many patrons are trying to use it. If the problem becomes severe, it’s likely that SWOSU and the other Oklahoma libraries that lease access to FirstSearch will look at ways to add more simultaneous users. Adding more simultaneous users is expensive, however, so it’s unlikely that we would be able to add enough simultaneous users that some patrons wouldn’t still be occasionally blocked .

If you have any questions about access to FirstSearch, call the Reference Desk at (580)774-7082.