This document discusses how OpenAthens is working to improve access to online resources for organizations through a single redirector link structure. It notes that individual users need to authenticate themselves as subscribers to access publisher websites. OpenAthens' redirector checks a user's IP address and either directly sends them to the resource URL if on the organization's network, or constructs an OpenAthens authentication URL to log the user in if off the network. This provides a consistent linking method for libraries to use in their portals to seamlessly direct both on and off-site users to subscribed resources through a single URL format.

1. www.eduserv.org.uk/openathens
Improving your end user experience
Adam Snook – Technical Consultant

2. Library resources
• Organisations subscribe to resources
• Use of electronic resources has grown exponentially
over last 10 years (many organisations are now 100%
electronic)
• Individuals go to publisher websites
• Need to identify themselves as subscribers
• Both on and off-site

8. Improving access to your
online collection

18. EBSCO A-Z list – with IP & Athens links

19. WAYF pages

22. WAYF pages

24. Providing appropriate links
• Publishers automatically do IP authentication…
• But don’t automatically check for federated or
Shibboleth-like authentication
• User typically has to navigate WAYF
• i.e. choose their organisation from a list
• OpenAthens works with publishers to provide seamless
links for OpenAthens users

25. But at the moment…
• OpenAthens URLs are different from IP authenticated URLs
• All different - each publisher has its own unique structure
• http://www.sciencedirect.com/science/journal/01406736
• https://auth.elsevier.com/ShibAuth/institutionLogin?entityID=https%3
A%2F%2Fidp.eduserv.org.uk%2Fopenathens&appReturnURL=http
%3A%2F%2Fwww.sciencedirect.com%2Fscience%2Fjournal%2F01
406736
• http://ajs.sagepub.com
• http://openathens.highwire.org/initiate-
login?returnURL=http%3A%2F%2Fajs.sagepub.com%2F

26. The Redirector
• OpenAthens can provide a single link structure that will:
• Authorise users on-network without logging in
• Authorise users off-network with a single
OpenAthens login

27. The Redirector
• Single proxy-like structure for all publishers
• Checks user’s IP address and if on-network, sends them
straight to target URL
• If not, OpenAthens constructs the OpenAthens URL and
sends the user there

30. How does it work: on-network?
START
Library uses the
same format for all*
resources
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/novanth
ealth.org?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bmj.co
m%2Fthebmj
User clicks resource link
Redirector checks
where the user is
located
IP ADDRESS
I’m using a work PC!
User taken staright there

31. How does it work: off-network?
START
Library uses the
same format for all*
resources
https://go.openathens.net/redirector/novanth
ealth.org?url=http%3A%2F%2Fwww.bmj.co
m%2Fthebmj
User clicks resource link
Redirector checks
where the user is
located
IP ADDRESS
I’m on a device off
the network
User taken staright there
Redirector creates
OA link and sends
user there
Redirector creates
OA link and sends
user there

32. This means…
• The same URLs can be used in the library portal for
on-network and off-network users
• Third party journal A-Z and link resolver products can
generate these easily
• OpenAthens manages the special OpenAthens links
• Updates these when the publisher makes changes

33. Summary
• Think about where you promote your resources
• Tailor the links to provide seamless access
• Use the Redirector
• Examples of good experiences

34. Thank you.
adam.snook@eduserv.org.uk
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