Aligarh Muslim University: Workshop on ‘Research Support Services using OpenAthens Remote Access Tool’
Aligarh : For uninterrupted services and access to library resources during the pandemic, the Aligarh Muslim University (AMU) faculty members and researchers were provided with hands-on-training to easily access library resources via OpenAthens, using any device (mobile, tablet or computer) from anywhere, anytime.
The training was imparted in an online workshop on ‘Research Support Services using OpenAthens Remote Access Tool’, organized by the Maulana Azad Library in collaboration with EBSCO Information Services, New Delhi.
“AMU is dedicated to facilitate the access of e-resources to researchers with the modernizing of library and digital access for teachers and researchers. I am sure that this training programme is a transformative accomplishment benefiting all library users with the knowledge of simplified access to thousands of online resources for a seamless experience”, said AMU Vice Chancellor, Prof Tariq Mansoor in his presidential address.
He added that the timing of the workshop is apt as the academic world continues remote learning, teaching and research due to the pandemic.
Speaking on the importance of e-resources in the Covid era, Prof Nishat Fatima (Officiating Librarian, Maulana Azad Library) said that digital libraries are ensuring continuity as Covid brought academic activity to a halt.
“Since the pandemic outbreak, there has been a transition to distance learning on an unprecedented scale. The Maulana Azad library provides access to subscribed e-resources through the OpenAthens facility and the benefits of it are not just theoretical, but measurable. OpenAthens remote login solution is an important research support tool in the pandemic period”, she added.
Dr Asif Fareed Siddiqui (Deputy Librarian) spoke about research support services offered by University Library.
He delineated key features of OpenAthens and discussed the use of e-resources during the pandemic enforced lockdowns.
In the first technical session of the online workshop, Sanjay Goswami (EBSCO Information Services) about services offered by EBSCO and how it has made remote access simple through a single sign-on.
Lakhpat Singh (EBSCO Information Services) gave a live demo of OpenAthens Remote Access tool and pointed out that through OpenAthens, library administrators can manage authentication for a variety of resources from different vendors and users will only need one set of passwords to be able to access all of those resources.
Dr Habibur Rahman Khan (Deputy Librarian, Maulana Azad Library) conducted the programme and Dr Monawwer Eqbal (Deputy Librarian and Coordinator, User Awareness Programme) extended the vote of thanks.
Around 270 faculty members and research scholars participated in the workshop.