Banner Health FAQs

What is OpenAthens?

OpenAthens is an authentication system that provides access to multiple online resources with a single username and password. OpenAthens runs in the background when users connect to any of the library resources. Starting March 1, 2021, OpenAthens was integrated with the Banner Health login system which eliminated the need for users to have a separate OpenAthens login. Banner employees can now use their Banner Health email, password and Microsoft authenticator to access library resources on any device. Library users without a Banner Health email account will need an library issued OpenAthens login. OpenAthens is engine for all Banner employees and affiliates to log in from any device to use library books, journals, and databases with a single user name and password.

Who Can Use OpenAthens

• Banner Health library resources are available all employees, providers with privileges, affiliated staff, and partner organizations. 
• Affiliated interns or students on rotation should contact the library to determine eligibility. 
• Former (inactive) Banner physicians that have been designated as "Emeritus" or "Honorary" may have access to the electronic library resources.

The OpenAthens Collaboration

Banner Health Library Services signs license agreements with publishers when subscribing to online resources. The terms of these agreements allow unfettered access while using a Banner Health computer or device but limits off-site access to eligible users. To facilitate access off-site for eligible users we use OpenAthens, a single sign on software (SSO). OpenAthens is an identity and access management software that manages and maintains identity information for publishers and users. Publishers feel secure in that only eligible users are accessing resources and users benefit because they do not need to remember a unique username and password for every publisher.  Our goal, at Banner Health Library Services, is to make accessing resources easier for our customers. An SSO, like OpenAthens, enhances usability of our resources by reducing password fatigue and provides better security.

With the help of OpenAthens, Banner Health employees are able to use their Banner Health email and password to log into resources off-site. 

OpenAthens has worked in this middle space between publishers--libraries--users for 25 years. 

When in doubt, click on the OpenAthens link

1. Must publishers have an OpenAthens link. It also might be called Institutional Access

How to Log In to OpenAthens

1. Users who have been issued an OpenAthens account MUST log in at #1
2. Users with a Banner Health email should log in at #2

MyAthens, the OpenAthens Resource Page

Are you looking for something else? Check out some of our other OpenAthens FAQs under Related FAQs