About OpenAthens

OpenAthens is a system that supports HarvardKey authentication for licensed online resources, including journals, ebooks, and databases. OpenAthens is a more secure and effective way to access library resources

and it will

gradually replace EZProxy.

Key Points

• Works with HarvardKey

• (Single sign-on

Project Information:

• )
• Users can go directly to provider platforms and databases without needing to start at a Harvard website
• Comes with a link generator to share with other Harvard users
• Support for IPv6

Why are we doing this?

• Some new e-resource subscriptions under consideration only support OpenAthens
• Transition of existing subscriptions away from EZProxy
• A new trend of access errors in EZProxy has been emerging as internet browsers and ISPs tighten security

OpenAthens Update Presentation May 2024

Phased Implementation:

OpenAthens will be implemented with a phased approach. Initially, we are prioritizing resources that are problematic with EZProxy and resources that are new. Please see the memo shared with DEAK for more information on the decision to pushmove forward with a phased implementation approach. 

Phase 1 (Summer/Fall 2024)

The initial phase of OpenAthens implementation will include the following resources: 

• China Social Science Library
• Journal of the History of DentistryBrill
• JSTOR
• Project MUSE
• Taylor & Francis eBooks
• Taylor & Francis Journals
• Wiley Online Library

These resources were chosen to include some moderate-use resources (based off of course reserve usage data), platforms with IPv6-related authentication issues, and other platforms that present EZProxy or related CAPTCHA issues. 

EZPRoxy EZProxy links will remain active, but links in HOLLIS will be changed once configuration and testing are completed. Bookmarks Resources such as LibKey Nomad, Lean Library, and the bookmarklet will continue to work. If an EZProxy link has been bookmarked, it will continue to work for the time being, but not indefinitely.

Secondary Implementation Phases

To be updated once the next phase plans are finalized. 

Background Information: 

Overview of E-Resource Authentication

White Paper: "The Future of Authentication for Harvard Library"

View filenameAuthentication Technologies Final.pdfheight250LTS and ITS will establish a timeline for any changes to EZProxy and communicate the plan to library staff. Any links to e-resource records in HOLLIS that are bookmarked will not need to be updated. 

Phase 2 (January - March 2025)

Phase two includes approximately 150 resource platforms that will be migrated from EZProxy to OpenAthens. These resources were prioritized because the method they use for authentication is based on IP addresses. Open Athens will provide more security because it relies on single-sign on, rather than IP address for authentication. Starting in January, we will configure these resources for OpenAthens and test access, with a plan to go live over Spring Recess (the week of March 17-21, 2025). At that time, the links in HOLLIS will be updated to use OpenAthens. EZProxy links will continue to remain active. Resources such as LibKey Nomad, Lean Library, and the bookmarklet will continue to work. If an EZProxy link has been bookmarked, it will continue to work for the time being, but not indefinitely. LTS and ITS will establish a timeline for any changes to EZProxy and communicate the plan to library staff. Any links to e-resource records in HOLLIS that are bookmarked will not need to be updated. 

For a list of resources included in this phase please see the spreadsheet linked below. 

OpenAthens Phase 2 Resources.xlsx

Phase 3 (Spring/Summer 2025)

The timeline for Phase 3 is not finalized, but this Phase will include the remaining resources in EZProxy, with a few exceptions. The exceptions are platforms that cannot support both EZProxy and OpenAthens at the same time and these are listed under the Phase 4/Final Phase. The resources in this phase will be listed here once it is finalized later in the spring and will include resources that do not currently support single-sign on. These resources will continue to use IP-based authentication and will be proxied through OpenAthens. 

Phase 4/Final Phase (Timeline TBD)

These resources must be implemented last because the vendor platform require a hard cutover from EZProxy to OpenAthens. They cannot support multiple authentication methods at the same time. As of January 2025 this list includes: 

• ProQuest
• Gale