Final answer:
To access library resources off-campus, a client often needs to use a VPN or a proxy server, which provide secure remote access.
Step-by-step explanation:
To access library resources from off-campus, a client typically needs to use a Virtual Private Network (VPN) or a proxy server. A VPN allows users to create a secure connection to another network over the Internet, essentially putting the user on the campus network and bypassing regional restrictions. A proxy server, on the other hand, serves as a gateway between the user and the internet, providing another layer of security and, in this case, acting on behalf of the user to access online library resources. Both VPNs and proxy servers operate differently from firewalls, which monitor and control incoming and outgoing network traffic, or routers, which direct data on a network. For academic access, most higher education institutions provide either a VPN or proxy access to their students for securely connecting to library services remotely.