Limestone University Library is in the process of transitioning to a new electronic resource authentication system. If you have ever tried to access a journal article, eBook, or database from off-campus, you have used an authentication system to access the material. The old system, EZ Proxy, is being replaced by a new system called OpenAthens that is integrated with Google. This guide will explain what OpenAthens is and how users can create links that work with OpenAthens.

OpenAthens

OpenAthens is a cloud-based single sign-on system that allows users to access electronic resources such as journal articles, ebooks, and databases at the Limestone University Library. We've integrated OpenAthens with Google to sign in through your Limestone University account.

EZ Proxy

EZ Proxy is a self-hosted proxy server that allows users to access electronic resources at Limestone University Library. EZ Proxy authenticates users and routes their traffic to publishers' websites through an on-campus IP address to access electronic resources.

This is the screen you may see when accessing resources (only from off-campus).  You will find your institution by typing Limestone University in the "Find your institution" search box:

If you see this screen, Limestone faculty, staff, and students will use their Limestone University email login and password when accessing Library resources from off-campus.

You can create OpenAthens links that will allow off-campus users to access electronic resources that Limestone University provides access to.

1. Enter the name of your institution (Limestone University).
2. Enter the URL of the resource you want to link to.
3. Test the link to make sure it works as expected.

Type "Limestone University" (example):

Next, paste your URL into the box that you are trying to connect to.  Example displays a link to Films On Demand.  Once generated, copy the link and paste into a browser.

If you're a faculty or staff member at Limestone University, you may have to create links to electronic resources for course materials. OpenAthens and EZ Proxy both use redirector links to route users to electronic resources, but the links are created in different ways.

EZ Proxy redirector link example for Films On Demand

  http://digital.films.com/portalplaylists.aspx?cid=1637&aid=4891 

OpenAthens redirector link example for Films On Demand

  https://go.openathens.net/redirector/limestone.edu?url=[Encoded destination URL]

https://go.openathens.net/redirector/limestone.edu?url=http%3A%2F%2Fdigital.films.com%2Fportalplaylists.aspx%3Fcid%3D1637%26aid%3D4891

We recommend using the OpenAthens link generator tool to create links. It is important to keep in mind that not all resources support this kind of targeted page-specific linking with the redirector. For example, If you enter a book chapter URL in JSTOR, OpenAthens will redirect you to the book's table of contents.