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How do I authenticate remotely via OpenAthens?

  • Updated

There are two separate types of authentication for Lean Library Workspace:

  • User account authentication: signing in to the Workspace website
  • Subscription authentication: linking your signed-in Workspace account to your institution’s subscription

Note: OpenAthens only handles subscription authentication. You will still need to sign in to Lean Library Workspace separately using your email address and password or your Google account.

First, check with your librarian to confirm that your institution supports OpenAthens authentication for Lean Library Workspace.

If OpenAthens is supported, use one of the following options:

  • If your account has not previously been linked to your institution’s subscription: Go to your subscription settings. You should see an option at the bottom of the page to authenticate through OpenAthens.
  • If your account is already linked, but your roaming access is about to expire: Select the OpenAthens link shown in the “x days left” notification.

Click the OpenAthens authentication link, then follow the instructions to find your institution and sign in using your institutional credentials.

If authentication does not work

If you are off campus and the steps above do not work:

  1. Open a new browser session.
  2. Go to MyAthens.
  3. Check whether MyAthens recognises you as being signed in through your institution:
    • If you are already signed in, sign out and then sign in again.
    • If you are asked to sign in, you do not currently have an active OpenAthens session. Sign in using your institutional credentials.
  4. Return to Lean Library Workspace and try authenticating again.

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