This page provides brief guidance on Athens accounts, what they are, how to use them and what to do if you forget your Athens username and password. For any further help regarding Athens accounts please contact the Library.
Please note that because access to Athens accounts is restricted, the specific information required to set up an AUCB Athens account is not provided on these pages. If you need to set up an Athens account please contact the Library or ask at the Library counter.
What is ATHENS?
Athens is an identity account that provides you with a unique username and password. It identifies you as a member of AUCB and gives you access to the protected resources that the Library subscribes to, accessible through the Library Online such as the e-books or e-journal resources. Your Athens username and password are not the same as your AUCB network login.
How do I get an ATHENS account?
You will normally be instructed on how to get an Athens account during your Library Skills session at the beginning of your first year.
It is a quick online registration process, after which you will have created your account. To complete the registration you will need to be enrolled on a course at AUCB, have a valid email address and have access to the AUCB computer network.
If you miss your Library session you can contact the Library using the E-resources & Athens email on our contacts page. We will provide you with details on how to register.
How do I use my ATHENS account?
If you try to access any of the protected resources through the Library Online, particularly if you are off-campus you will presented with a login box on your screen. You will need to enter your Athens username and password before you will be given access to the resource.
If you have logged in to one resource and not closed your browser window you should be able to access other protected resources without having to log in again.
How long will my ATHENS account last?
Your Athens account will last a long as you are a student or staff member at AUCB. You do not have to re-register each year, however your account may expire, particularly if you change courses or have been a member of staff for a while. If you experience any access difficulties please contact the Library.
I'm trying to create an ATHENS account off campus but it's not working?
You must be on-campus to create your Athens account. If you try to create an Athens account off-campus you will receive the following error message:
You are not allowed to login from your current location. This account is restricted by IP address. For further information please contact your Athens administrator.
Please follow the instructions for setting up an Athens account using a computer on campus. After you have successfully created an Athens account you can use it from any internet connection.
What if I forget my ATHENS password?
If you remember your Athens username but have forgotten your password you can reset your password by following these steps:
- Go to MyAthens at www.athensams.net/myathens
- Underneath the login box click the 'Login Help' link.
- On the Help page the second section is on 'Forgotten Passwords'. This provides instructions on how to reset your password.
- To reset your Athens password you will need to enter your Athens username and your Athens registered email address (the email address you entered when creating your Athens account).
Once you have submitted these you will be sent an email to your registered email address with further instructions.
What if I forget my ATHENS username and registered email address?
If you forget your Athens username and registered email address please contact the library using the E-resources & Athens email on our contacts page for help. We will be able to retrieve these details for you so that you can then reset your password using the instructions given in the previous paragraph.
My Athens account username and password are correct but I can't get access from home?
The Athens system requires that your web browser supports SSL (all recent browsers will do this) and that you have cookies enabled in your browser. You can get further information on both of these issues from the Eduserv website by following this link. Eduserv developed the Athens system.
Other causes of access problems from off campus may be due to network security or firewall settings. Because these factors vary so much from one set up to the next we are unable to help you with your home network settings.
What if my username, password and home settings are correct but I still can't get access to resources?
If you are entering the correct ATHENS username and password but are being denied access to resources, please contact the Library using the E-resources & Athens email address on our contacts page giving the name of the resource you were trying to access, the day and time you were trying to get access and whether you were on or off campus.
