Start-up story: IP and access challenges: introducing RedLink Network – a new community-based registry to create efficiencies for libraries

A major pain point for librarians and publishers is the work involved in keeping authentication credentials (IP addresses, Shibboleth and link resolvers) current and ensuring their accuracy. Yet, the infrastructure of the internet has solved similar problems like this before. RedLink Network is a free, community-driven platform, run by a public benefit company. It allows librarians to broadcast their access credentials and branding, track uptake across their publishers and platforms, and solve access issues collaboratively. It also enables mapping of hierarchies (consortia and subsidiaries). This article describes what inspired the creation of RedLink Network, how it benefits librarians and publishers and, ultimately, how it can help ensure access for students, researchers and knowledge workers