Databases
Finding Databases
We offer a comprehensive range of licensed subject‑specific databases, research portals, and learning platforms where you can find scientific papers, proceedings, statistics, company data, facts, and content from journals, newspapers, and much more.
Our entire portfolio is listed in the Database Information System (DBIS). There, you can search directly by database title or browse by subject area. The subject lists also highlight top databases recommended by our subject librarians.
Accessing Databases
Most of the databases licensed by the University Library are access‑restricted and located behind providers’ paywalls. To access search functions and database content free of charge, you must be an active member of TUM or use the services on site at the library.
Depending on the provider, different authentication methods are available. In DBIS, you can find a list of the available access options for each individual database:
- Via the main link “Go to database”, we offer the fastest and most convenient login option for active TUM members.
- Alternative access options can be found in the individual database record. To view them, click on the database title.
eAccess
For databases that support eAccess, active TUM members can authenticate using the option “TUM Login (eAccess)”. Open the requested database in DBIS and click “TUM Login (eAccess)”. You will be automatically redirected to our authentication portal eAccess and prompted to log in with your TUM ID.
If you are already logged in elsewhere with your TUM ID, single sign‑on applies, and you will be taken directly to the database without having to log in again.
Institutional Login (Shibboleth)
For databases that support Shibboleth, active TUM members can authenticate via TUM Login. If you are already logged in elsewhere with your TUM ID, single sign‑on applies, and you will be taken directly to the database without additional login steps.
Logging in via Institutional Login / Federated Login
Open the requested database via DBIS and click the option “TUM Login (Institutional Login)”. You will then be redirected to the provider’s website. There, look for login options such as “Institutional Login” or “Federated Login”. Select Technical University of Munich as your home institution and log in using your TUM ID.
Logging in via Direct TUM Login
Some databases offer a direct TUM Login. In this case, click the option “TUM Login” in DBIS. You will be redirected directly to TUM’s central authentication service without any intermediate steps. Selecting a home institution is not required.
TUM-LAN (Proxy)
Another option for accessing databases is via TUM-LAN network. This requires configuring a proxy in your web browser. Your affiliation with TUM is verified based on your IP address. This authentication method works only on computers connected to the wired network (LAN) and not via Wi‑Fi.
Registration with the Provider
Some databases require a one‑time registration with the provider. Please follow the provider’s instructions to complete the registration and verify your status as a TUM member.
Registration creates a personalized account for you within the database. Please note our information on data tracking by publishers and read the provider’s privacy policy carefully.
Access for External Library Users and TUM Alumni
Due to licensing restrictions, remote access to databases is not available to external library users and TUM alumni. However, you can access our electronic resources at research PCs in our branch libraries.
Terms of Use for Databases
- Licensed online resources provided by the TUM University Library may be accessed remotely by active TUM members via eAccess, Institutional Login, or TUM-LAN (Proxy), provided the respective providers support these access methods. External library users and TUM alumni may access these resources only on research PCs in the branch libraries.
- Full texts and data may be printed or saved only for personal use and non-commercial purposes (science, research, and teaching).
- Sharing with third parties is not permitted, either electronically or in printed form.
- Systematic downloading of data, papers, or search results, especially through automated tools or robots, is prohibited.
Violations of licensing terms are monitored by publishers and may result in the suspension of the entire campus license for all of TUM.
Data Tracking by Publishers
Some publishers and providers of scientific information track the research behavior of users on their websites. They create profiles and evaluate the data for their own purposes without the consent of those concerned.
How We Protect You from Data Tracking
The authentication mechanisms used by the TUM University Library for licensed resources do not pass on personal data to publishers.
- Our authentication portal eAccess uses a rewrite proxy method in which only the IP address of the University Library's eAccess server is transmitted to our business partners.
- TUM uses the Shibboleth authentication service for the Institutional Login / TUM Login. When logging in, you can check the option “zu übertragende Daten anzeigen” to verify which data is shared with publishers. The data set generally does not allow any conclusions to be drawn about individuals.
- If you use the access option TUM-LAN with proxy configuration, only the IP address of the central LRZ proxy server is transmitted to our business partners.
Whenever possible, the University Library does not accept licensing models from publishers or agencies that aim to identify users and rely on corresponding technologies.
How You Can Protect Yourself from Data Tracking
Regardless of our authentication mechanisms eAccess, Shibboleth, and TUM-LAN with proxy configuration, many publishers offer personal accounts, for example to save settings and search histories.
We recommend avoiding these functions where possible, adjusting privacy settings, and carefully reading the providers’ privacy policies. In general, most scientific resources licensed by the University Library can be accessed without creating a personal account with the provider.
To protect yourself against common website data tracking technologies, we recommend using your browser’s built‑in protections (e.g. Firefox Enhanced Tracking Protection) and following the Electronic Frontier Foundation's recommendations.