Library onboarding guide

There are a number of different information sources from OpenAthens to assist with the setup process. This guide is a good place to start as it will take you through step by step.

If you have any questions related to the onboarding, timeline, and what to expect, your implementation team can help you.

Group of people laughing while sat with laptops

The library onboarding process at a glance

  1. Kick-off meeting

    The first step to successfully moving across to federated access with OpenAthens Compass is the kick-off meeting.

    Learn more about the kick-off
  2. Create accounts

    There are two main options for creating user accounts – connecting to your institutional directory or creating new OpenAthens Compass accounts.

    Learn more about creating accounts
  3. Activate resources

    Perhaps the most crucial element of your OpenAthens Compass onboarding process as far as users are concerned is making sure all the resources that your institution subscribes to are set up.

    Learn more about activating resources
  4. Update links

    Using a new resource authentication system requires that you update any links on your library portal to either give users access to relevant content or send them to the login page.

    Learn more about updating links
  5. Integrate with other apps

    OpenAthens Compass is designed to interact successfully with many third-party applications in a number of ways, from devolving sign in to their authentication systems to enabling access to their resources through the OpenAthens Compass login.

    Learn more about app integration
  6. Handover

    The final step of the set-up process is to make sure that all users know about the new system for accessing resources and where they can go if they need further help or information.

    Learn more about the handover

Library onboarding resources

Accounts management

You’ll need to decide how best to manage access to your OpenAthens Compass resources so different users can gain access to what they need while protecting valuable content.

Learn about best practice

User journey

Depending on the user’s preferred research practices and institutional setup, there are different ways users could start an OpenAthens Compass session.

Discover the user journey

Reporting and statistics

We know how important reporting is to libraries in order to track usage and monitor access. OpenAthens Compass offers helpful reporting tools to ensure you have the tools needed to monitor and enhance your library services.

Make the most of reporting

Training and development.

Discover the online tools and videos we have available to help you learn and develop your OpenAthens Compass knowledge.

Improve your understanding

Be part of our community

Visit our staying connected page to learn about how you’ll hear from us, and why. And how to get involved!

Join the community

What can you expect from your onboarding experience?

Our onboarding customer charter outlines our approach, our support and your role as a customer.

Check out our customer charter
Two people using a laptop

What publishers and service providers are we compatible with?

Search our database of publishers and service providers that are compatible with the OpenAthens service. Filter on those that are in identity federations, or compatible with the OpenAthens Redirector or managed proxy.

Search for compatible providers