Help accessing online resources

Lean Library is a free browser extension that helps you access library-subscribed resources, including journals, ebooks, and newspapers. It's designed to make research easier, especially when you’re working off-campus or not connected to the University network.

Download the extension

You can use Lean Library by downloading the extension to your browser. The extension is supported by Firefox, Chrome, Opera, Edge, Safari – but does not currently work on mobile devices. Get download support.

Watch this video to see how to download the extension:

Why use Lean Library?

When you search online, Lean Library will present you with library-subscribed items. By integrating with your preferred research tools such as Google Scholar, Lean Library streamlines your access to library content and resources.

Lean Library will:

• simplify access to library content and resources, saving you an average of three minutes per search
• automatically detect and provide access to library resources when you search using search engines such as Google
• use simple pop-ups to direct you to resources with minimal clicks
• provide library tips for accessing resources when you’re on external webpages
• search for open access content and redirect you to freely available sources when you hit a paywall
• show you citations as you research, including Leeds Harvard
• allow you to search our library catalogue from any webpage with a right click, without navigating to Library Search.

Watch this video to see the main features in use:

Lean Library privacy notice

Understand how Lean Library uses your data.