We know that the best way for our users to find scholarly resources, such as articles and books, to support their research, is to use Explore, our subject guides, our databases A-Z list and other tools and guides that we manage. However, we also know that students use Google Scholar or web browsers to access content on publisher websites, and encounter paywalls, not realising that the content may be freely available to them through their library.  

There are tools available to connect users (when they are off-campus) with the full-text of resources they come across during web searches, if the library has access to them. These include Lean Library, LibKey Nomad and Endnote Click.  

Lean Library is a browser extension that works with multiple browsers to connect users to journal articles, and ebooks available through UCL Library Services. Several other academic libraries have subscribed to it, including Cambridge, UEA, and Cardiff.  

Library Services has a trial of Lean Library Access, for LCCOS staff only, from March 21st – June 20th 2023. The trial is being led by the Service Improvement and E-resources teams. A group has been created to support the trial, led by Margaret Stone and Karen Jeger, with Angela Young, Lindsay Ure and Dan O’Connor representing liaison colleagues. 

If you’d like to try out the browser extension, and help us by providing your feedback, please see our Lean Library trial guide for more information on how to install the extension, an overview of the features of Lean Library, and to access our feedback form.