Accessing SciFinder Scholar

Public access for SciFinder Scholar is available on certain workstations within the Christopher Center (namely, the computers in the reference area on the second floor). Certain faculty workstations on campus may also have the software. Only one person can use this database at a time. If someone else is using it, you will get an error message. Please allow other VU researchers to use this resource by minimizing connect time and logging out as soon as searches are completed.

Note: On the first Saturday of each month, SciFinder will not be available from 4:00 PM - midnight.

If you are at one of the workstations with the software, and would like to access SciFinder Scholar, please read these steps below.

For Internet Explorer Users

  1. Enter "C:\SFSCHLR\sfschlr.exe" (without the quotes) into your browser URL box; then hit enter.
  2. SciFinder Scholar will be launched to the desktop. You must "Accept" the License Agreement prompt before beginning your session.

For Mozilla Firefox Users

  1. Enter "file:///c:\sfschlr\sfschlr.zzx" (without the quotes) into your browser URL box; then hit enter.
  2. A gray box may appear asking you to choose whether to "Open" the file or "Save to disk." (If not, skip to #5)
  3. If you are given the option, choose the button next to the "Open" option, and then click "OK".
  4. If you cannot select "Open", select "Save to disk", and then a download menu will appear, select "open".
  5. SciFinder Scholar will be launched to the desktop. You must "Accept" the License Agreement prompt before beginning your session.

If you have any questions, use our Ask Us! service to contact the reference desk.