G2

Chris C.

Deputy University Librarian

Mid-Market (51-1000 emp.)

6/4/2026

"OpenAthens Takes the Hassle Out of e-Resource Troubleshooting"

5/5

What do you like best about OpenAthens?

When there are inevitable technical issues with a particular e-resource, this is handled centrally by OpenAthens. Previously, Library staff needed to troubleshoot these problems. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What do you dislike about OpenAthens?

Many niche e-resource vendors still don’t support OpenAthens, which means we often have to persuade them to adopt this authentication system. Although OpenAthens support is helpful when we’re trying to onboard new vendors, success ultimately depends on how receptive each vendor is to the idea. In a few cases, we’ve even had to cancel planned subscriptions because the vendor would not support OpenAthens. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

Recommendations to others considering OpenAthens:

Ensure that your mission-critical e-resources already support OpenAthens. Communicate widely about the planned change, and emphasise the benefits both in terms of seamless access as well as enhanced user privacy/security. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.

What problems is OpenAthens solving and how is that benefiting you?

In an era of information overload and with our faculty/students having so many options, it is vitally important that our Library's e-resources can be accessed as seamlessly as possible. OpenAthens is an important part of HKBU Library's strategy to realise this vision, by enabling our patrons to login to the hundreds of resources that we subscribe to with their University credentials. The SAML-based solution provided by OpenAthens is also robust from a privacy and security perspective. Review collected by and hosted on G2.com.