OpenAthens - The New Authentication Method for Library Resources: Home

How will this affect your courses? 

Beginning January 2021, your course links to items such as articles, ebooks, videos, and other library online resources may need to be reviewed and updated in Blackboard, on your syllabus, and in other instructional areas. Converting links to OpenAthens is easy and disruption should be minimal. However, we want to support you to ensure that library resources are linked and ready for student usage.

How can you receive help?

Please contact your campus library for help locating and linking to online library content or reach out to your OpenAthens Campus Expert if you have any questions or concerns. We are happy to assist you!

Need technical assistance? See a discrepancy in this guide? Reach out to the developer:

Angel Hernandez

aherna19@mdc.edu

OpenAthens: The New Authentication Method for Library Resources

Using your MDC credentials to access Library content!

The Florida Virtual Campus Library Services (FLVC) has been working on upgrading access to e-resources for the 40 public academic libraries across the state. This new authentication system, called OpenAthens, will enhance the research experience through an intuitive, seamless e-resources environment. It made its debut on 8/24/20 and provides a faster and easier way for students and employees to access Miami Dade College's rich online library collections by simply using their MDC Username and Password instead of their ID Number and PIN. This new login method has the following advantages over the old method which include:

• Gives you access to content directly from the publisher's website via WAYF or from Google Scholar
• Allows you to use a single credential (your MDC user name and password) to access all resources
• Is integrated with the MDC network, which let's you manage your user name and password via the MDC self-help automated password management tools instead of having to contact the library
• Requires you to login to MDC's network only once, which provides continuous access for hours
   

Your Library Account

In addition, you will soon be able to login with your MDC credentials to access your library account and use the statewide union catalog, which provide access to college & university library holdings as well as resources that are available based on the user’s library affiliation. This will also allow you to place interlibrary loan requests that are handled through the UBorrow service using your MDC credentials.

Each campus has an OpenAthens expert on site to assist faculty and staff. See the list below: