The University of Sheffield
The University Library

eResources & access management

The Library pays publishers for eResources on behalf of the University & these are protected by publishers using a variety of authentication technologies to ensure only authorised users can gain access to full text content. We pay to license electronic content for educational purposes only. The University has an access management system which handles the different authentication technologies & delivers access via MUSE within a consistent interface to all registered students & staff. This is linked to your University UCard & institutional user name & password.

National & local changes, April 2008 onwards

A new more secure federated system under the auspices of the UK Access Management Federation For Education & Research is currently being introduced nationally. This initiative is intended to cover the full spectrum of UK education & is being sponsored by both the JISC & Becta. It is often referred to as a Federated Access Management (FAM) system.

Here at our University we have made technical changes in the background to introduce this improved system & you will see some changes to the eResources pages on the Library Web & the Library tab in MUSE. 24/7 on & off campus access to all networked eResources will be maintained. We have integrated the new system with MUSE so that you will not need any credentials other than your institutional user name & password to access Library eResources.

Athens system no longer in use at Sheffield, August 2008

The old Athens system has been decommissioned & is no longer in use at Sheffield; you will not need to use Athens at all. eResources previously protected by Athens will remain available through MUSE. If you have any queries about Federated Access Management (FAM) please contact the eServices Technologies Team in the Library. We can be reached on extension 27280 or by email at lib-eservices@sheffield.ac.uk.

On & off campus access to eResources

To access eResources whether on or off campus, simply login to MUSE with your institutional username & password and connect via the eResources links located on the Library tab. (Or access via the eResources A to Z links on the Library Web pages - you'll be prompted to login to MUSE as necessary.)