Frequently Asked Questions

KnowBC can be accessed free of charge by students and teachers at most BC schools, and by members of most BC libraries, both academic and public. See if your school, your public library or your post-secondary institution have purchased a subscription to KnowBC on your behalf. We have done our best to make this process trouble-free and easy-to-use and we test it regularly to make sure the process is working as it should. However, login problems do arise sometimes because of user unfamiliarity or because subscribing parties have not updated their contact information. These questions will assist you in dealing with routine issues.

Jump to: FAQ for libraries

Accessing Know BC from school

I tried to access KnowBC and was asked for a password. I don't have a password.

Your school may not have a subscription to KnowBC. Check to make sure. If your school is not on the list, we encourage you to speak to your teacher or school librarian so that they may subscribe on your behalf. You may also visit a public library or purchase an individual subscription.

My school is on the subscriber list, but I am still being asked for a password.

Even if your school is a subscriber to KnowBC, in most cases you can only access KnowBC automatically from a school computer. If you are using your own computer or any computer not part of the school's system, you will require a password to access KnowBC. Ask your teacher or school librarian for the KnowBC password.

My school is on the subscriber list and I am using a school computer, but I am still being asked for a password.

There is a problem with your school's login process. Please notify your teacher or school librarian and ask them to contact us.

The most common login problem is caused when a school's IP addresses change and KnowBC is not notified.

My school is not on the subscriber list but I would still like to access KnowBC.

If you are a student, we encourage you to speak to your teacher or school librarian so that they may subscribe on your behalf. You may also visit a public library or purchase an individual subscription.

If you are an educator, you can learn about site licensing for schools or purchase an individual subscription.

Accessing Know BC from a public library

I am a member of a BC Public Library. How do I access KnowBC?

First check to make sure your library is a KnowBC subscriber. If your library has home access enabled, go to the library's web site, find the link to KnowBC or the Encyclopedia of BC and click on it. This will generally be found listed under "Electronic Resources" or "Databases." You will asked to enter your library card information. Once you are authenticated as a library patron you be redirected and logged in at KnowBC.

If your library does not have home access enabled, you will only be able to access KnowBC from a library computer.

I am accessing KnowBC from within a public library but I am still being asked for a password.

There is a problem with your library's login process. Please notify a librarian and ask them to contact us.

The most common login problem is caused when a library's IP addresses change and KnowBC is not notified.

My public library is not on the subscriber list but I would still like to access KnowBC.

If you are a library patron, we encourage you to speak to a librarian so that they may subscribe on your behalf. You may also have access through a school or post-secondary institution, or you may purchase an individual subscription.

If you are a librarian, you can learn about site licensing for libraries or purchase an purchase an individual subscription.