Problems with Online Resources

You need to be logged in to access any Library Online Resources unless they're Open Access.

Sometimes you will be taken directly to the resource you want to access through single sign on. Other times you will be asked to log in / authenticate.

Different websites have different ways of authenticating using your University of Roehampton credentials.

Single sign on means that once you have logged onto the library catalogue, you should be given access automatically to any resource that you search for and access through the library catalogue.

For easy access to resources, we always recommend:

• using links on resource lists / Moodle where available;
• accessing databases through the A-Z Database List;
• searching in UR Library Search.

In some cases, you won't be able to authenticate if you search for the resource on a search engine such as Google.

Special Usernames & Passwords

For some resources, you will need to access them differently or use special login details. Information on these can be found on our A-Z Database List, next to the databases that need them. See how to authenticate with your Roehampton username and password to see the special passwords, if you need to.

If you are asked to log in, you will see either OpenAthens or Shibboleth.

Some platforms will ask you to authenticate / log in through Shibboleth. This screen may look slightly different depending on the platform.

You will usually be asked to log in this way if you've come via UR Library Search.

This guide will show you how to login through Shibboleth.

Search for your resource using UR Library Search.

1. You’ll see a pop-up box telling you that authentication is required. Select sign in.
   
2. You will be taken to the Shibboleth login page. Enter your Roehampton username and password.
   
3. Remember that your Roehampton username is the start of your email address – don’t include the @roehampton.ac.uk part.
   
4. You should now see the results of your search.
    

Note that if you are accessing a platform directly – not going through UR Library Search – and it asks you to log in using Shibboleth, you may need to search for our institution first.

Once you have searched for and selected University of Roehampton, you will be taken to the above University of Roehampton Shibboleth Identity Provider Login page (step 3 of this guide).

Some platforms will ask you to authenticate / log in through OpenAthens. This screen may look slightly different depending on the platform.

You will usually be asked to log in this way if you've come to a resource through a resource list or the A-Z Database list.

This guide will show you how to login through OpenAthens.

1. On the OpenAthens sign in page, go to “Find your Institution” and type “University of Roehampton” into the search bar.
   
2. A University of Roehampton link should appear below the search box. Select this link.
   
3. You will be taken to the University of Roehampton login page. Enter your full Roehampton email address and password.
   
4. You should now have access to the item.