SeamlessAccess for Libraries

Libraries recognize that users do not always begin their access journey on the library website, or start with a proxied link. When users begin outside the library environment, they may end up on a publisher’s site and may encounter frustrating paywalls, or confusing and non-standardized login pathways. SeamlessAccess is designed to make access more consistent and understandable for users.

Libraries also care deeply about patron privacy. When implementing federated access on publisher sites (for example, using Shibboleth), libraries may find themselves negotiating with individual vendors regarding what information to release. SeamlessAccess provides standards and guidelines that ensure patron privacy.

If your library is already set up to use federated authentication with a publisher, there is nothing further you need to do!

What libraries can do

Libraries can ask resource vendors whether or not they are implementing SeamlessAccess, and can partner with their campus IT to implement federated identity management (FIM) for resource vendors. Librarians can also stay up to date with news and new features in the FIM space by joining the Seamless Access mailing list.

By beginning these conversations about SeamlessAccess, libraries can begin to improve the access experience for our users.

How can my library get started with SeamlessAccess?

Here are a few things libraries can do to get started with SeamlessAccess and federated authentication:

1. Find out if your institution already participates in an identity federation such as InCommon, the Australian Access Federation, OpenAthens, or others. This may involve reaching out to your IT department or whoever manages identity and access management (IAM) at your institution. If your institution doesn’t yet participate, begin to advocate for membership.

2. If your institution already supports federated authentication, work with your identity and access management team (often your IT department) to determine what their standard attribute release policy is and whether it is appropriate for library resources.

3. You can read more about the technical implementation of SeamlessAccess on the Getting Started section of this site. Ask your library’s e-resource vendors if they participate in SeamlessAccess. For those that don’t, encourage them to consider adoption in order to provide library users with a consistent experience across platforms.