Logging In To Your Account

Users that are part of an Organizational subscription have several ways to log in to RefWorks. The first is from an IP-authenticated computer at your organization. The second is from a computer that is not IP-authenticated (for example, your own personal computer at home).  Instructions for both methods are listed below.  In either case you should always see RefWorks User Login for "Your Organization's Name Here" on the page you log in from.

UK users using Athens authentication should log in from off-campus by clicking on the Athens Users link from the public RefWorks login page.  If you are on campus, you should be directed to your Athens login page.  Once logged in, you can select RefWorks from your list of services.  To create an account, simply enter your Athens login name and password at the RefWorks login screen and account will automatically be created for you.

Users using Shibboleth authentication should click on the Shibboleth Users link from the public RefWorks login page.  After clicking the link, select your Organization from the drop-down and click the Login button.  You can then enter your Shibboleth User Name and Password and you'll be brought into your RefWorks account.  

Individual Subscribers have only one method for logging in -- from the RefWorks Login Center which you access automatically when you go to www.refworks.com/ refworks.

To log in to RefWorks:

  1. Open your browser and go to www.refworks.com/ refworks.  Note:  Your login URL may be different.  Please check with your Organization for the appropriate RefWorks login URL.

  2. Organizational users from an authorized IP address simply enter your Login Name and Password. (Individual subscribers click on the Individual Log-In tab first, then enter the Login Name and Password.)

Logging in from Off-Site (Organizational Users Only):

  1. In your browser, go to www.refworks.com.  You'll be brought to the RefWorks Login Center where you'll see three tabs (Remote Access, Individual Log-In, Trial Log-In) .

  2. In the Remote Access tab, enter your organization's Group Code and click on Go To Login.

  3. Enter your personal Login Name and Password.

Note:  Some organizations use proxy servers or VPNs to allow access from off-site and do not distribute the Group Code.  Please contact your librarian for information on logging into the proxy server.

Using Group Codes

If your organization is using the Group Code for off-site access, this code is sent to you in the automated email you will receive when you create your RefWorks account. The Group Code allows you access to RefWorks from any computer.   If you do not see a Group Code in this email, this indicates that your organization prefers that you log in through an alternative path (usually a proxy server or VPN).  

Once you are logged in to the proxy server or VPN, you would log in to RefWorks as if you were on-site following the instructions above.

If you try to log in remotely and fail to enter the Group Code or gain access through a proxy server or VPN, you will not be able to access your existing database. If you create a new account, you will be considered a new, individual subscriber and at the end of the 30-day trail, you will be charged for this account.

For more information on Group Codes, see your department or library administrator or email us at support@refworks-cos.com.

Don't know your group code?

On your RefWorks login page, there is a link that says “forgot your login?”  Select this link and enter the e-mail address that you used when registering for your RefWorks account.  Your login name, password and group code will be e-mailed to you.  Be advised that some subscribing organizations have chosen purposely to omit information in these e-mails (some do not include group codes or passwords).  If this is the case, you will need to contact your local RefWorks Administrators (usually the librarians) for further assistance, or access RefWorks from an on-campus IP-authenticated computer.

See Also