Smarter searching with library databases
Monday, 13 January, 2025 - 19:30
Learn how to access library databases, take advantage of the functionality they offer, and devise a proper search technique.
You might be accessing an older, stored version of the page. Please try clearing your browser’s cookies and cache.
If a page appears asking you to log in with an OpenAthens username and password, please follow our OpenAthens guidance.
Follow these steps to see if you can access it through your Open University login.
Please contact the Library’s Helpdesk if you think your login doesn’t grant you access to Library Search and our resources but allows you access to other OU websites.
You can use a Library tool we have developed to add a bookmarklet to your browser favourites bar. This will allow you to access content directly without having to login everytime you visit academic articles, journals and databases licensed by The Open University Library.
Please ensure you’re signed in. On the top right corner, ensure your name is displayed. If it says “Sign in”, please click on this and you’ll be prompted to log in.
Sometimes an article you have found in Library Search may not take you to its full-text. It may be taking you to the journal homepage or even give you an error message. If this happens, there are a couple of ways to check if you can access it.
If you didn’t save the permalink and you have only kept the URL, it’s very likely the resource will not open. Try to locate the AN number found in the url you have. For example:
You have kept the following URL and no other details. https://web-p-ebscohost-com.libezproxy.open.ac.uk/ehost/detail/detail?vid=1&sid=0ee8d424-56ec-4401-9048-600089c472bf%40redis&bdata=JnNpdGU9ZWhvc3QtbGl2ZSZzY29wZT1zaXRl#AN=110516782&db=a9h
The first time you use Westlaw, you will be prompted to create an account with One Pass. Once you have created an account you can access Westlaw via Library Search or the Databases list and login as normal with your OUCU and password.
Please note that the Safari browser may ask you for a registration key when you try to create a One pass account. Please try opening Westlaw UK in Google Chrome instead.
Monday, 13 January, 2025 - 19:30
Learn how to access library databases, take advantage of the functionality they offer, and devise a proper search technique.