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Todd Wehr Library
MCW Libraries

Connect to MCW Libraries Resources from Off-Campus

Eligibility and How to Request Access

Access to MCW Libraries' electronic resources from off-campus depends on which user group you are in.
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MCW Faculty, Staff, Residents, and Fellows
Use your MCW credentials to log into OpenAthens. Note: your email username does not include @mcw.edu. If you have questions about your email password, contact MCW Information Services at (414) 955-4357 or help@mcw.edu.
MCW Students
Use your NetID to log into OpenAthens. If you have questions about your NetID, contact MCW Information Services at (414) 955-4357 or help@mcw.edu.
Children's Wisconsin, Froedtert Health and Wisconsin Diagnostic Laboratories Staff

Apply for an account using the OpenAthens Registration Form. After verification of your status is received, you will receive an email with sign in credentials and instructions for creating a password.

OpenAthens Registration Form


Volunteer Clinical Faculty, Adjunct Faculty, Emeritus Faculty
In order to be eligible for a library account you must be have an official appointment as a volunteer, adjunct or emeritus faculty member, and have approval from the Office of Faculty Affairs. To request access, please complete the OpenAthens registration form. After verification of your status is received, you will receive an email with sign in credentials and instructions for creating a password.

OpenAthens Request Form
Versiti Blood Research Institute Staff
Eligible BRI staff are designated by MCW research staff at the BRI. Contact your department administrator at the BRI to request access. If you have any questions, contact Kathryn Mlsna, Assistant Director of Scholarly Resource Management: kmlsna@mcw.edu, (414) 955-8305.
Joint Degree (MCW-MSOE, MCW-MARQ) Students

To be eligible for access, you must be currently enrolled in a joint degree program. To request access, please complete the OpenAthens registration form and provide your program coordinator's name and contact information in the explanatory notes field for verification of eligibility. After verification of your status is received, you will receive an email with sign in credentials and instructions for creating a password.

OpenAthens Registration Form

If you have any questions, contact Kathryn Mlsna, Assistant Director of Scholarly Resource Management: kmlsna@mcw.edu, (414) 955-8305.

Register for an OpenAthens Account

MCW Libraries uses OpenAthens to connect users to library resources. Most Froedtert and Children's Wisconsin employees, and MCW volunteer or adjunct faculty are eligible for access to MCW Libraries' subscription resources. Complete the registration form to request an account. After we verify our status, you will receive an email with access instructions.

MCW Libraries resources are available anytime, anywhere, and on any device.

MCW students, faculty, and staff do not need to create an OpenAthens account, one has already been created for you. Use your existing MCW credentials when prompted.

To connect to resources from off-campus, start out at the library's publicly accessible homepage or at any of our LibGuides. If you click a link to a subscription resource, you will be prompted to login to OpenAthens. Those with MCW accounts can use their existing MCW credentials to login. Other users, including Children's Wisconsin and Froedtert Health employees need to register for an account.

Logging in is easy! If you have an MCW account, choose the first option and sign into Duo. If you are staff at Children's Wisconsin or Froedtert, a volunteer or adjunct faculty use the second option and login with your OpenAthens account credentials.

More information can be found on our OpenAthens LibGuide.

OpenAthens UserGroups

Connect to MCW Libraries from Anywhere

Frequently Asked Questions

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How do users connect to resources from off-campus?
When you attempt to access subscription library resources through links on the library’s website, you will be prompted to log into OpenAthens. After logging in with either your MCW email information or your OpenAthens account, you will be connected to the resource.
I don't know my MCW username or password.

Your MCW username is the same as your:

  • Network login to the MCWCORP domain (collaborative services network)
  • Outlook Web Access (owamail.mcw.edu)
  • eBridge login credentials for MCW employees
  • MCW’s Citrix applications (portal.mcw.edu)

If you have forgotten your password, please contact MCW Information Services.

I entered my MCW email correctly, but I am not able to log-in.
Be sure you are entering the information under the heading MCW Users, and do not include the @mcw.edu part of your email address in the user name box.

If you continue to have issues, contact the Library at (414) 955-8302 or email LibraryTW@mcw.libanswers.com. We will respond to you as quickly as possible during staffed hours.
What do I do if I forget or have trouble with my password?

If you are using an MCW account to login, contact MCW Information Services at (414) 955-4357 or help@mcw.edu for assistance with resetting your password.

For other authorized users, click the link below to reset your OpenAthens password.

Reset Password

If you have further questions, contact the Library at (414) 955-8302 or email LibraryTW@mcw.libanswers.com. We will respond to you as quickly as possible during staffed hours.

Can I use VPN for off-campus access?
No. Close your VPN connection before using the OpenAthens. Using both VPN and the OpenAthens at the same time may result in the inability to access most library resources from off-campus.
Can I use Citrix for access to the Libraries' resources from off campus?
If you are logged into Citrix you will not need to go through OpenAthens to connect to the libraries’ resources. You may encounter issues with saving and printing documents, so we recommend not using Citrix to access the libraries’ resources. Instead, we recommend that you connect to OpenAthens through an up-to-date internet browser.
How do I get access to the libraries' resources from the VA?
MCW faculty and staff located at the VA who are not on the MCW network need to use the OpenAthens.
I’m an alumnus/alumna. Do I have access?
Unfortunately, alumni do not qualify for remote access unless you have a current enrollment, employment or teaching affiliation with MCW.

Alumni are always welcome to visit the library in-person. On-site users have full access to all resources.
Can I pay to have remote access to library resources?
We are unable to accept payment for off-campus access.

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