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OpenAthens FAQs: About OpenAthens

OpenAthens (Authentication)

It is now even easier to access the libraries' online resources

In November 2024, we switched to a new login system called OpenAthens – making it simpler for you to access our online Library resources, whether you’re on campus or off.

What is OpenAthens?

OpenAthens is a secure, flexible login tool that lets you access Library resources using your University username and password (Single Sign-On).

With OpenAthens you’ve been able to:

  • Stay signed in as you move between databases, e-journals and e-books

  • Access Library content straight from Google or Google Scholar

  • Log in directly to major platforms like SAGE, Elsevier, and ProQuest

  • Use Library resources from anywhere – on campus, at home, or on the go

No more hitting paywalls or jumping through hoops – just easy access to the info you need.


  • When accessing online library resources, look for an OpenAthens or Institutional sign-in option.
  • Search for 'University of Auckland' in 'Find your organisation/institution'.
  • You will be directed to the University of Auckland Single Sign-On.

Not all databases and journals have the capacity to support Single Sign-On via OpenAthens. You can continue to access these resources via the library catalogue.

Updating your bookmarks

If you have bookmarked content and the link contains ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz, you will need to update this.

Link generator

Use the link generator to create an OpenAthens link that you can bookmark.

https://go.openathens.net/generate/auckland.ac.nz/81472283

Converting EZproxy links 

If your link contains EZproxy information, you will need to make some changes to the link before using the link generator.

  1. Remove EZproxy information from the URL
    • Delete ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz
    • https://bpspubs-onlinelibrary-wiley-com.ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz/doi/10.1111/bcp.16027 becomes https://bpspubs-onlinelibrary-wiley-com/doi/10.1111/bcp.16027
  2. Change the dashes in the URL domain to dots
    • bpspubs-onlinelibrary-wiley-com becomes bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com
  3. The final link should look something like this:
    • https://bpspubs.onlinelibrary.wiley.com/loi/13652125
  4. Enter the final link into the Link Generator to create an OpenAthens link.

Legal databases

Lexis Advance and the Westlaw databases are now all available via OpenAthens Single Sign-On. To bookmark these resources:

Use the copy link function within the database to generate the permalink and then append the highlighted text to the end of the URL:

Your reference manager will work as normal. However, if you use a tool such as RefWorks, EndNote or Zotero, you will need to update links that contain ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz.

Citation details such as author and title will remain the same, but you will need to update EzProxy links manually.

EndNote

Set up EndNote to use OpenAthens for full text access

  1. Open EndNote
  2. In the Edit menu (EndNote 21 on Mac) select ‘Preferences’
  3. Select ‘Find Full Text’
  4. In the field ‘OpenURL Path’ enter https://auckland.primo.exlibrisgroup.com/view/uresolver/64UAUCK_INST/openurl
  5. In the field ‘Authenticate with: URL’ enter https://go.openathens.net/redirector/auckland.ac.nz?url=
  6. Select Apply and then OK

Zotero

If you are using the Zotero Connector browser extension it is recommended you disable the proxy settings.

Access the settings for the extension, go to the Proxies tab and then uncheck the Enable proxy redirection box

Mendeley

Mendeley does not require any OpenAthens configuration.

RefWorks

RefWorks has been set up to login using OpenAthens. You can login using the 'Use login from my Institution' option on the RefWorks site. If you have an existing account, you will be prompted to link your accounts so you can view all of your existing saved items. 

If you prefer, you can continue to use your individual login for RefWorks. The OpenAthens login option is useful only if you wish to be able to use University of Auckland Single Sign-On to access the site.

Some platforms with personal accounts may require action to link an existing account to your new OpenAthens account.

EBSCO for Research | City of Portsmouth

New and returning users signing in via OpenAthens authentication for the first time will have a new Personal Folder created on EBSCOhost.

How to merge personal user accounts


Home - Proquest eBook Central ...

How do I access items saved to my bookshelf after OpenAthens go live date?


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How can I link my new to my old institutional/SSO credentials?

The project team will update internal links such as the library catalogue and Talis reading lists.

If you are using EzProxy links (links that contain 'ezproxy.auckland.ac.nz') in other places, you will need to update these before 18 July 2025 to prevent any broken links.

Talis reading lists

The project team will update all Talis reading lists for current courses.

If you find some reading lists items have broken links, please use the broken links function (available from the ‘student view’ of a list). For more help with broken links please see the Reading List Hot Tips’ section of Talis 101 - Best Practice.

Course content on Canvas or faculty websites

You will need to update any resource links in your Canvas course content and on faculty or course websites that contain EzProxy links.