OpenAthens

When you follow a link found in the GW Libraries search, database list, etc., you will get the usual GW Single Sign-On (SSO) screen. You should not see a special OpenAthens sign-in screen.

If you are already signed in, you should be sent directly to the resource without having to sign in again. 

 For help with signing in, see GW IT's guide to using Single Sign-On.

The procedure for visitors is different -- see For On-Site Visitors below.

OpenAthens allows you to use login links on many (but not all) sites. 

• The right link to use is usually called Institutional Login, Find Your Institution, or something similar. It might also be called something like "Federated/OpenAthens." Search for George Washington University or Gelman Library. Select that, and you will go to GW SSO. 
• Do NOT use the Sign In with Your OpenAthens Account link.
• Many sites also have a "sign in" link for your own account to save searches, etc. Unless they connect to the Institutional Login option, these sign in links usually will NOT authenticate you via OpenAthens.

Sometimes you may be asked to choose which GW library you are affiliated with. This may come from OpenAthens or from the GW Libraries search (Primo). 

• If you are in the schools of Medicine, Nursing, or Public Health, select Himmelfarb Library
• If you are in the Law School, select GW Law (or Burns Law Library) if that is an option. Otherwise select Gelman Library
• If you are not in any of the schools above, then select Gelman Library 
• If only one option for GW is shown, everyone should select that one. Do not use the "Sign in with a personal OpenAthens account" option -- that is not connected to GW SSO.

On-site visitors at German Library can get a guest login for OpenAthens. For full instructions, see E-Resource Access for Visitors. Guest accounts are temporary and only work inside the library. When using a guest account, you do not enter your password in the GW Single Sign-On system described above. Instead, you should sign in at my.openathens.net.  After you sign in there, our regular OpenAthens links will work for you.