Authentication options

Authentication provides users secure access to your NetLibrary materials. NetLibrary supports four authentication methods. Some methods allow users to be authenticated automatically while others require user input (such as a library bar code). Most libraries use a combination of methods to provide access from inside and outside the library.

• EZproxy Single Sign-on
• IP (Internet Protocol) Address Recognition
• Secure Referring URL
• Proxy Server

If your library provides access to electronic resources, you probably already have one or more of these in place.

Considerations

As you begin to determine which method(s) will work for your library, you will want to think about your library’s specific situation and needs:

• What authentication does your library already use?
• Do you want to provide access to users in the library and at remote locations?
• Does your library have technical expertise available to create Web pages and/or set up servers?
• Do you want to be able to control access by criteria such as location, amount of overdue fines, etc.?

Which authentication options work best for my library?

Review the chart below to help identify which method(s) work best for your library. The options can be combined to work both inside and outside of your library. In all the options, users can be authenticated whether they begin their search at the library OPAC, NetLibrary.org or your library’s electronic resources page.