Pence Law Library has transitioned from EZproxy to a new authentication platform, OpenAthens, for accessing most of our electronic books, journals, and articles. This change will improve security and better serve learning and research from off-campus. In most cases, this transition will require no action on your part. In some situations, you may need to make a one-time update to links you have saved before using them again for instruction. Below you will find information about this shift. 

Why is the Library making this change?

OpenAthens offers increased security and access controls beyond the Library’s current system. OpenAthens is also tightly integrated with electronic resource vendors. In many cases, this means you will be able to access journals and articles directly from the web without needing to go through the Library’s database list or catalog. Also, the AU main library has been using OpenAthens since July 2022. 

How will this affect you?

Your experience will be the same as it is now. The sign in screen will be the same one you currently use to access most other University platforms and applications. If you are already signed into a University platform - like your Library Account, Canvas, or MyAU - you won't be asked to log in again per browser session. 

What do you need to do?

If you have links to electronic resources saved or embedded in syllabi or course materials, you may need to update them before they can be used again for instruction. Any links containing “proxywcl.wrlc.org” will need to be changed using a tool, Construct OpenAthens Links, included in the OpenAthens guide. Links to the Library catalog can remain as they are. Links to resources of the main library remain as they are. Please reach out to us reach out to us if you’d like assistance updating course materials that you’ve prepared. Resources that were added to your courses in Canvas by the Library’s Course Reserve department will be updated on your behalf.

On-site visitors will be directed to a specific page and given OpenAthens credentials to log in. See the 'Onsite visitors' tab in this guide for more information.