Systems Support FAQs

OpenAthens uses a different technology to manage access to resources than proxy-based authentication, which will change the syntax of the links the Library uses to access subscribed databases and content.

NOTE: Students, faculty, and staff will need to update any bookmarks, saved links, or reading list links they maintain apart from the Library's web presence. 

Library links that include the previous proxy information (proxy1.ncu.edu) will no longer route properly and will need to be updated. 

You can edit the link to remove the proxy information. To generalize this link, remove the proxy1.ncu.edu and replace the hyphens (-) in the link address with periods (.). See the following example:

• Incorrect Proxied Link: https://journals-sagepub-com.proxy1.ncu.edu/doi/full/10.1177/0013161X18769048
• New Generalized Link: https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/full/10.1177/0013161X18769048

Students, faculty, and staff are encouraged to follow these basic steps for updating saved links and bookmarks to the Library's resources:

1. Start from the Library's homepage https://library.ncu.edu/.
2. Search for and locate the saved or bookmarked resource in the Library's collection using NavigatorSearch (formerly Roadrunner) or Find A Resource.
3. Save a new link or bookmark using the permalink provided by the database or publisher's website.
4. You can also use the OpenAthens Redirector Link Generator to create an OpenAthens link to the resource.

If you experience any difficulty with retrieving a previously saved library resource, please contact the Library during live help hours.

For more information about OpenAthens and updating proxied links, visit the OpenAthens LibGuide.