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Lean Library is a web browser extension that connects users to articles and e-books available through their library, when they're off-campus and searching directly on a publisher website or a search engine.
It also allows libraries to provides users with context-specific information, tips or guidance on selected websites and online resources. A number of academic libraries subscribe to it, including Cambridge, Manchester, UEA, Kent, and the Open University.
There are different versions of Lean Library. We are trialing Lean Library Access, which includes access to library subscribed resources, a highlight and search feature, enhancements for Google Scholar and PubMed and integration with Zotero.
We have a 3 month trial to Lean Library Access, for LCCOS staff, to review whether it would be helpful for UCL students and staff. At this stage we are not looking at it for NHS users. We're aware that there are alternative tools that offer at least some of these features, such as Browzine, Endnote Click and LibKey Nomad, and we'll be considering these separately.
If you'd like to participate in the Lean Library trial, you'll need to test it while working off-campus, so please install it on your work laptop or home laptop/computer.
The trial runs from 21 March to 20 June 2023 and we'd appreciate it if you could complete our feedback form to let us know about your experience of using Lean Library. On the form we ask you to rank the usefulness of the features available and also to comment on your experience of at least two of the features. See the Lean Library Access Features section for information on each feature, and suggestions for things you might like to try when reviewing each feature.
Note: the Lean Library browser extension is not available for mobile devices. There are some alternatives for phones and tablets, and more information is available under Installing Lean Library. However, these have limited functionality and we recommend using the browser extension your desktop or laptop.
Lean Library provides more information about user privacy on their website.
We'd welcome your feedback on your experience of using Lean Library. Let us know what worked well, or what didn't using our feedback form.
