OpenAthens

OpenAthens logo

Monash University Library is enabling seamless, secure access to Library electronic resources anytime, anywhere through OpenAthens.

OpenAthens is an identity and access management service that’s integrated with Monash's Multi-Factor Authentication (MFA) service Okta, so you can use your Monash account and be confident your personal data is not released to external organisations. With single sign-on (SSO), you can move from resource to resource faster.

You can access content you find from a web search and then sign in directly, or you can use Library Search or the Database search page. Whichever way you prefer, you’ll be able to access subscription-based content seamlessly.

OpenAthens replaces EZproxy, offering a more secure, reliable and flexible service and will reduce the frustrating ‘Pay for full text’ limitations you experienced when attempting to access resources directly using the previous service.
While accessing online resources you should look for an OpenAthens or Institutional sign-in option. Search for Monash in ‘Find your organisation/institution’. The Monash sign-in screen will then display for you to sign in.
No, it will be resource specific. Look for sign-in or login links, usually in the top right corner, choose OpenAthens, then choose Monash. If you don’t see OpenAthens try the Institutional option.
Some resources might ask you to select your Federation;choose OpenAthens Federation.
OpenAthens uses cookies to remember your device’s IP address. If you change web services – from Firefox to Chrome for example – you will be asked to sign in again. Additionally, if you change devices, for example from a laptop to a mobile, you will be asked to sign in again.
Your link will contain “ezproxy.lib.monash.edu”, like in these examples:
- http:// ezproxy.lib.monash.edu /login?url=https://www.sciencedirect.com
- https://www-sciencedirect-com.ezproxy.lib.monash.edu.au
From Monday 25 July 2022, the Library will no longer support EZproxy. This means existing EZproxy links won’t work and need to be updated to OpenAthens. If you’d like to manually update any EZproxy links you currently have in any personal bookmarks you’ve saved in your browser, you can follow these instructions.
- Signing in to my.monash or Moodle will also sign you in to the Library’s authentication service
- Using Library Search or the Database search page as a starting point will trigger the Library’s authentication service
If you start your research from a Google search or your favourite resource such as Informit or ScienceDirect do the following to sign in to the Library’s authentication service. The experience on different platforms can vary but, on many platforms, you will have an option to sign in with OpenAthens.
1. Find the Signin or Login button (usually located in the top right corner)
2. If it's available, select "OpenAthens" as your sign in choice. Look under “Institutional/Organisation Signin” or “Other Signin” if you can’t see OpenAthens
3. Enter "monash" in the "Find your organisation/institution" search box and click on Monash University or, select "Monash University" from a drop-down list
4. Sign in through the Monash Signin page

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

Use our Link Generator tool to create a stable link for a library resource. The generated link will use the new Library authentication service and can be shared with fellow Monash staff and students.

In your research you may come across a resource which the Library does not subscribe to, in that case, you will not be able to gain access. Check the Library Databases to confirm if we have a subscription. You can then access the resource via that list.

For help with access and other issues related to the change to OpenAthens, please contact lib-eresources-l@monash.edu.