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Connect to Resources: OpenAthens

Learn how to access, use, and link to the Library's online resources.

Related Info & Tools

OpenAthens Logo in Pink

This guide contains information about OpenAthens, the library's identity and authentication tool for accessing library-subscribed online resources remotely.

Remote Access to Library Resources

If you want to access library resources remotely, you can first sign into My OpenAthens to authenticate your account before accessing library resources.

 

You can also click the following link to sign in: 

https://libguides.mssm.edu/myathens_login

What is OpenAthens?

OpenAthens is an authentication tool that provides access to the library's licensed online resources via single sign-on (SSO) technology. It is replacing our previous system, EZ Proxy.  OpenAthens allows users to access Library subscriptions directly from the publisher websites in addition to the current method of accessing resources through links from the Library website and catalog.  

Almost all library resources have migrated to OpenAthens. To avoid broken links, please update your resource links and bookmarklets.

FAQs

See all OpenAthens FAQs

Accessing Online Resources

I want to access online resources...

Accessing online resources via library websites

When accessing online resources via any library website (Library catalog, Databases A-Z list, etc.), users will be prompted to sign in through Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai. Once you click this link, you will be redirected to the Mount Sinai single sign-on page.

Enter your Mount Sinai email address and password or Mount Sinai username and password and you should be directed to the resource you identified.

If you are accessing a resource off-campus/remotely, you will be redirected to the Microsoft Account and/or Mount Sign in page and will be prompted to authenticate your account through the two-factor authentication (2FA) process. If you do not have VPN with two-factor authentication set up, please visit the IT Security website and contact IT Help Desk for assistance.

NOTE: Volunteer Faculty, employees, researchers and PSON students who do not have a Mount Sinai email address (@mountsinai.org, @mssm.edu, @icahn.mssm.edu), review the sign in process for users with no email addresses here: https://askalibrarian.mssm.edu/faq/401512

Screenshot of Mount Sinai SSO login pages

 

Accessing online resources directly from publisher or resource websites

OpenAthens enables direct access to library-subscribed online resources via publisher and other resource provider websites (i.e. PubMed, NEJM, AccessMedicine, SPIE, etc.) as long as this feature is configured on their website. While procedures may vary among providers, users are required to follow these general steps to sign in:

  1. Find the log in link on the publisher or resource website. The button is typically located at the top left of right corner of the webpage and may contain the terms:
    • "Access through your institution"
    • "Check access"
    • "Institutional login"
    • "Login"
    • "Sign In"
  2. If available, select OpenAthens as the sign in method (Some provider websites may first ask to sign in via your institution, then select OpenAthens).
  3. In the Find your organisation search box, enter Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai.
  4. Click on Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai and you will be redirected to the Mount Sinai single sign-on page.
  5. If you are accessing a resource off-campus/remotely, you will be redirected to the Microsoft Account and/or Mount Sign in page and will be prompted to authenticate your account through the two-factor authentication (2FA) process. If you do not have VPN with two-factor authentication set up, please visit the IT Security website and contact IT Help Desk for assistance.

NOTE: Employees and PSON students who do not have a Mount Sinai email address (@mountsinai.org, @mssm.edu, @icahn.mssm.edu), review the sign in process for users with no email addresses here: https://askalibrarian.mssm.edu/faq/401407

Screenshot of Mount Sinai SSO login pages

NOTE: Successful log in to Open Athens does not mean that you will be able to access all of a publisher's journals or databases. There are many resources from publishers to which the Library does not subscribe.  If your login is successful, but you are denied access to specific content, please contact the Library at refdesk@mssm.edu as we can confirm whether or not we should have access or provide other avenues to get you what you need. 


Signing into OpenAthens Using PubMed

Click on the PubMed link in the Popular Tools section of the library homepage or use this link: https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/?otool=mssmlib Accessing PubMed in this way will create links to the Levy Library.

NOTE: You will not immediately be prompted to sign in to OpenAthens when you access PubMed.

Next, perform your search. Once you have found the citation and want to find the full-text of the item, click on the Find it at the Library button in the top right corner of the page.

You will be redirected to sign in through OpenAthens. 

If you have already signed into OpenAthens in the same web browser to access another library resource, you will not be prompted to sign in again.

 

Affiliated Users Sign In Process

Library-managed Mount Sinai affiliated users must select OpenAthens Managed Directory when accessing online resources via Levy Library or content provider websites. 

All Library-managed Mount Sinai affiliated users must sign in with their provided OpenAthens username.