Can I have an Athens password?

Your Open University Computer Username (OUCU) and password are all that is required to access the majority of library eresources.

In order that you are recognised as an OU user when you login to eresources, we suggest that you always use the Open University Library website, or links from your module websites, as your starting point.

To check if the OU subscribes to a particular journal article, and access it if we do, follow the instructions at How can I get access to a particular journal article?.

There are a small number of resources which you cannot log in to using your OUCU. Details of the usernames and passwords for these resources are available on the Specific passwords page.

Normally you will only be asked for Athens details if you try to access eresources that the OU does not subscribe to, or you try to access them in a way that does not allow you to be recognised as an OU user e.g. from a Google search.

I am having problems accessing a resource via Athens will guide you through how to log in to a subscribed eresource using your OUCU via the Athens ‘Alternative login’ link.

If you want to access OU eresources via a search engine, you can Access eresources using Google Scholar. If we subscribe to the journal you are trying to access, and you are still being asked for an Athens password after logging in via Athens e.g. the alternative login route, there may be a technical problem with the resource. In this instance please get in touch with the Library helpdesk, giving the details of the problem (which resource you are trying to get into and any error message you are receiving).