Posted on: April 7, 2025
Welcome to the future of seamless library access at Thompson Rivers University! If you’ve ever found yourself juggling multiple passwords just to access journal articles or e-books, the library’s new single sign-on service, OpenAthens, is here to change the game.
Why OpenAthens?
OpenAthens offers a simpler, smarter way to connect to library-licensed resources. Whether you’re delving into a database, exploring e-books, or skimming through scholarly journals, OpenAthens ensures you can log in just once and enjoy uninterrupted access to all these resources. Whenever you see the OpenAthens icon, click “Sign in via institution,” and you’re good to go! Better still, your session remains active for up to 8 hours—so feel free to close your browser or start fresh. OpenAthens works seamlessly from platforms like Google Scholar, publisher websites, or shared resource links.
And there’s more:
Enhanced Security: OpenAthens uses the same authentication technology as Moodle and Office 365, safeguarding your data while providing a private browsing experience.
Better Insights, Better Library: By understanding how resources are used, the library can make informed decisions to develop collections that meet your needs.
Controlled Access: Unauthorized usage is restricted without compromising access for legitimate users.
What’s New?
Signing In: Whether you’re on campus or off-campus, you’ll need to log in to access materials:On campus: No multi-factor authentication (MFA) is needed—just your TRU email and password.Off-campus: Use your TRU credentials and complete MFA via the Microsoft Authenticator app for a secure experience.
Links in Moodle or Course Materials: Embedding links to library resources? Make sure they’re compatible with OpenAthens! As part of this change, links to library resources in your Moodle course or other materials will become broken. Starting May 5, use the Library’s Discovery Service to regenerate library resource links. Need help? Just send your list of links and resource details to library@tru.ca, and the library team will handle the rest.
Please reach out to the library if you have questions or need support. Happy researching!
