Activate and Log In to Your OpenAthens Account
❗Your OpenAthens account is separate from your CWL and requires its own login credentials.
Some of our programs require access to UBC Library resources. Learners registered in these programs will receive access through a UBC Library OpenAthens community account.
Before you can access your library resources, you will need to activate your OpenAthens account. Your account will be set up by a member of the UBC Library technology team after your registration has been processed through the Lifelong Learning registration portal.
Need Assistance? Contact us if you have any questions or need technical support.
Please Note: OpenAthens account provisioning is a manual process completed by the UBC Library technology team and is not instant. If you register close to the start of your course, or after the course begins, there may be a delay before your OpenAthens account is available.
Activating your OpenAthens Account
Your Email:
Once your UBC Library OpenAthens account has been set up, you will receive an email from noreply [at] openathens.net titled UBC Library OpenAthens account activation.
Please check both your inbox and spam or junk folders for this email. Once you receive it, we recommend activating your account as soon as you are able, as the activation link will expire after a set period of time.
Please Note: This email will be sent to the email address that you used when registering for your credential on the Lifelong Learning registration system.
Your OpenAthens Username
Your OpenAthens username can be found in your OpenAthens activation email.
If you no longer have access to this email, your username is usually formatted using ubc, followed by your first and last name, with no spaces.
For example, if your name is John Smith, your OpenAthens username would be:
ubcjohnsmith
Activation Link
Once you have noted your username, select the activation link listed under the message: “The following link should be used to activate your account.”
Selecting the link will take you to Step 2: Set your OpenAthens password.
OpenAthens Activation Email:
After selecting the activation link, you will be prompted to create a password for your OpenAthens account.
Your password must be:
- At least 10 characters long
- Strong (using special characters, capital letters, and unrelated words when possible)
Once you have entered your password, select the Confirm button to complete your account activation.
Set Your OpenAthens Password:
Once your password has been created, you will be brought back to the UBC Library webpage.
Please Note: Record your OpenAthens username and password and keep them in a secure place. You will need this information to log in and access your UBC Library resources.
Logging in with your OpenAthens account
You can access the OpenAthens login page directly, or through the UBC Okanagan Library website.
Option 1:
Select the link below to go directly to the OpenAthens login page. You may wish to bookmark this page in your browser for future use:
Login to OpenAthens
Option 2: Access OpenAthens through the UBC Okanagan Library website
From the UBC Okanagan Library website navigation, select the downward chevron ▼ next to the Login button. From the drop-down menu, select OpenAthens Login.
Once you are on the OpenAthens login page, continue to Step 2: Log in with your OpenAthens account.
❗Reminder:
Your OpenAthens account is separate from your CWL and requires its own login credentials.
Your OpenAthens account is separate from your CWL and requires its own login credentials.
Once you are on the OpenAthens login page, you will see two login options.
The first option is CWL Login. Although you may have a CWL, your CWL is not connected to your OpenAthens account. Non-credit learners cannot use CWL to access OpenAthens resources.
Under the CWL Login option, you will see OpenAthens Login. This option is for faculty, community library card holders, hospital staff, guests, and other non-CWL users.
Non-credit learners should use the OpenAthens Login option at the bottom of the page, highlighted in green below. Enter the OpenAthens username and password you created when activating your account.
Frequently asked questions
CWL access to OpenAthens is intended for UBC learners in credit programs, such as undergraduate, graduate, and PhD programs.
Learners in select non-credit programs access UBC Library resources through an OpenAthens community account instead. To access your course-related library resources, please use the OpenAthens username and password provided through your OpenAthens activation email.
If you are having trouble logging in, please contact the Continuing and Professional Education team through our Contact Form for assistance.
Your OpenAthens username can be found in your OpenAthens activation email.
If you no longer have access to this email, your username is usually formatted using ubc, followed by your first and last name, with no spaces.
For example, if your name is John Smith, your OpenAthens username would be:
ubcjohnsmith
If you need to reset your OpenAthens account password, please use the Reset Your OpenAthens Password form.
You will need to enter either the email address, or username associated with your OpenAthens account and follow the instructions provided.
Reset Your OpenAthens Password
Need Assistance? Contact us if you have any questions or need technical support.
OpenAthens resources are specific to each course. If your course requires access to UBC Library resources, your instructor will typically provide the relevant links or instructions within your Canvas course.
Please check your course for information about required readings and library resources. If you are unable to locate the resources in Canvas, please contact the Continuing and Professional Education team through our support form for assistance.