Enabling OpenAthens Single Sign On (SSO) Remote Access Authentication to eResources
A Case Study
Abstract
Accessing the library’s subscribed electronic resources remotely by users has always been a challenge for the library. KMC Health Sciences Library, Manipal relied on proxy-based authentication to remotely cater its e-resources to library users. To enhance the secure usage of electronic resources and to provide user-friendly authentication, the library has considered a Single Sign-On (SSO) remote access through OpenAthens. The article demonstrates the setup process of OpenAthens and the various steps involved in the transformation of the library from proxy-based authentication. The single sign-on setup at the library has benefited users in having a single set of credentials to access all the library e-resources, reducing the hassle of remembering multiple login credentials. Features such as cloud hosting, granular usage reports, and the admin dashboard gave complete hold on the usage of library e-resources. Although OpenAthens has its merits, the setup process involved challenges in the integration of existing library-subscribed e-resources. This article provides insight into the step-by-step process of enabling OpenAthens, addresses troubleshooters, and makes recommendations to libraries looking towards SSO remote access.
Except where otherwise noted, the Articles on this site are licensed under Creative Commons License: CC Attribution-Noncommercial-No Derivative Works 2.5 India