What Is Athens?

A huge amount of the library’s information is now made available online, e.g. electronic journals, e-books and databases. Athens is an Access Management system used by UK universities for controlling access to these type of online services. Authenticating to Athens enables you to access many of the Library's online databases, electronic journals and e-books seamlessly and without further challenge for usernames & passwords.

For a full list of the databases that authenticate via ATHENS, go to the Library Databases page and select Show only Athens Resources. Alternatively, Athens protected resources listed on the databases page, Library website or Portal are usually identified by the following symbol:

Authenticating to Athens

Access to the Library's online resouces via Athens is restricted to staff and students of the University.

You are automatically authenticated via Athens when you:

• Login to the University Portal (more details here: Guide to Passwords: Portal)
• Login via WebCT and click on the 'Library Services (inc. Athens)' link in the 'External Course' box on the left hand side.
• Click on the 'Library Databases via Athens' link on the Library homepage. You will be prompted to enter your user ID and network password (more details about your network password here: Information Services - Quick Guide to Accounts & Passwords).

A small number of returning students (who joined the University prior to academic year 2009-2010) and members of staff may still need to use an 'old style' Athens personal account (username beginning 'uls'). If this is the case please refer to the 'Old Style' Athens Personal Accounts section below.

All users must adhere to Terms and Conditions of use with regard the Library's e-resources. Please remember, you must not divulge your usernames and passwords to anyone and that use of the Library's e-resources for commercial benefit is strictly prohibited.

Athens Authentication: Troubleshooting

• Some services do not permit off-campus use. Check the Databases page for details.
• A few databases do not use Athens Authentication (more details here: Guide to Passwords: Other Passwords)
• Sometimes you may be challenged to enter an 'old style' Athens username and password when you enter a site. If this happens, use the Alternative Login route [more...]. Alternatively, prevent this from happening by setting your 'default login page' [more...].

Accessing 'Old Style' Athens Personal Accounts

'Old style' Athens personal accounts, with the username beginning 'uls', continue to work. However, it is recommended that you access Athens using your Student ID and network password or your Staff number and active directory password rather than use your old Athens personal account.

Refworks users please note, Refworks data from 'old style' personal accounts will not be available when you login into Athens using your network password. If existing Refworks data is important to you, you should transfer your Refworks database from your old personal account.

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Last updated: 06/09/11
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