Widener Proxy
Quickly access resources off-campus through the Widener University proxy.
Proxy Bookmarklet
Whenever you are on a site that requires licensed access, click on the "Widener proxy" bookmarklet. You will be asked to login, and then redirected to the "proxified" version of the site.
What is OpenAthens?
OpenAthens is a single sign-on service that lets Widener University students, faculty, and staff securely access the university’s online resources from anywhere. Once you're logged in with your Widener credentials, you can explore journals, databases, and other academic content—just as if you were on campus.
Why use OpenAthens?
Due to licensing agreements with publishers, most of Widener University’s online academic content is limited to authorized users. OpenAthens bridges the gap by verifying your identity and granting access from anywhere, without requiring you to connect through the university’s internal network.
What’s the difference between EZproxy, OpenAthens, and VPN?
EZproxy and VPNs have traditionally been used to simulate on-campus access by rerouting traffic through university IPs. OpenAthens represents a shift away from IP-based models by using a cloud-based authentication system that identifies users individually. This allows OpenAthens to be more flexible and scalable across platforms, and it often requires less maintenance for IT departments. VPNs remain useful for broader internal network access, but for licensed digital content, OpenAthens often provides a more streamlined experience.
Quick access to popular databases and journals
- NCBI PubMed
- SCOPUS
- Web of Science
- Nature
- Science
- Ovid
- JSTOR
- Oxford Academic Journals
- APA PsycNET
- ScienceDirect