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Off Campus Access: OpenAthens

This guide provides information about OpenAthens and EZproxy authentication to access the library's subscribed resources from off-campus.

 

The NJIT Library is pleased to introduce a new Single-Sign-On (SSO) technology powered by OpenAthens for off-campus authentication. OpenAthens is an identity and access management system for libraries to manage authentication, specifically off-campus access. OpenAthens provides a more secure, reliable, and streamlined positive experience via single sign-on (SSO) technology for library patrons to access electronic resources and systems, including databases, journals, articles, ebooks, media, ILLiad (Interlibrary Loan), etc. Once fully implemented, OpenAthens will replace EZProxy software.

OpenAthens Experience

We understand that many library patrons do not come directly to the library website to search for the resources they need. Typically, they start their research on Google and Google Scholar. Therefore, a solution that does not require patrons to start their research at the library is needed. We have found a solution in OpenAthens.

OpenAthens enables library patrons to access electronic resources from anywhere: not only from the library curated routes (e.g. the library catalog or discovery layer, reading list system, etc.), but from Google Scholar, and publisher/vendor websites. It requires one set of login credentials for the users to access all online resources. This contributes to a better user experience and more secure authentication.

What will change?

There will be no change to the number of library resources we subscribe to, so you should still be able to continue with your work and research with very little disruption to your workflow. You will be able to use your NJIT credentials to authenticate to your favorite online resource platforms both on and off-site, giving you the flexibility to start your research wherever you are.

On-site IP authentication
The library will continue to provide an IP authentication service, there will be no change to the way you access online resources when on-site.

Off-site OpenAthens authentication
For off-site authentication to the publishers' platforms, you will be able to use your NJIT credentials. You will only need to authenticate once to start an 8-hour long OpenAthens session. During that time, you will not be asked to authenticate again regardless of the number of different content platforms you visit.

How to use OpenAthens

If you haven't authenticated already, you can do so after your Google search. You will be able to access any resource in the search results as long as our library subscribes to it.

Suppose you search in Google and find this article, "ranking programming languages by energy efficiency".

After you click on it, you'll be directed to ScienceDirect. Notice that there is button called "Access through your institution".

Click on the "Access through your institution" button, you come to this page. Type in NJIT, you'll find "New Jersey Institute of Technology Library". Select "New Jersey Institute of Technology Library", and click on "Continue".

You're directed to our school's authentication site. Type in your NJIT credential, and click on "Login". Now you’ve got the access to the full-text of this article.

 

Navigate your way to your favorite online resource platforms. The experience on the different platforms can vary but on some of the most popular platforms, you will have an option to log in with OpenAthens. Select "New Jersey Institute of Technology Library" from a list and enter your NJIT credential.

Some platforms may ask you to select your federation when logging in, so please select OpenAthens Federation if needed.

Suppose you're interested in searching content from IEEE Xplore. When you visit IEEE Xplore website, it will provide you with an option, "Institutional Sign In". After clicking on that, follow the same above process, and then you'll gain access to IEEE Xplore subscriptions.

 

 

If you are off-campus and are accessing online resources through the search box on the library website or through the Primo discovery layer, once you click on the source under View Online you will get the Access through your institution button or Institutional Sign In button as mentioned above. Access to databases through the A-Z Database list will also be authenticated through OpenAthens.

 

What do you have to do?

If you have saved permalinks or URLs to the library resources, you will need to:

  • Update your bookmarks and links to our subscribed electronic resources
  • Update your bookmarks and links to Interlibrary Loan (ILLiad)

OpenAthens uses a different technology to manage access to resources, which will change the syntaxes of the links currently in use to allow seamless user authentication.

If you have any questions or encounter any problems, please contact the library!

New Jersey Institute of Technology
University Heights, Newark, New Jersey 07102-1982
(973) 596-3206
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