Lean Library

Lean Library – browser extension for easy access to e-resources

Lean Library is a browser extension that makes it easier to access licensed electronic resources of Charles University. It detects whether the university has access to a requested article or e-book and automatically offers login via remote access or another available access method (including directing you to print alternatives available at CU).

The extension is useful both on and off the university network – for example, when searching for articles via Google, Google Scholar, or directly on publishers’ websites.

Trial period: Lean Library is available in trial mode until 30/11/2025. We would appreciate your feedback at [admin-eiz@cuni.cz].

What Lean Library can do

• automatically detects availability of an article or book via the university’s subscriptions,
• redirects you to the correct login page or signs you in automatically,
• offers alternative legal versions (e.g. Open Access or a printed version available at CU),
• simplifies searching directly from regular web pages,
• can generate citations.

How to get the extension

The extension is free to install for common web browsers:

• Google Chrome
• Mozilla Firefox
• Microsoft Edge
• Opera
• Safari

How to install

1. Open the link for your browser (see above).
2. Click the Add to browser button.
3. After installation, click the Lean Library icon in your browser toolbar.
4. Select your institution – Charles University.
5. Optionally, you may create an account in Lean Library Workspace if prompted.

After signing in, the extension activates automatically as you browse the web. When you encounter content available through the university, Lean Library will offer to open it directly via the university’s Central Authentication Service.

How to know it’s working

A small Lean Library pop-up notification will appear in your browser, indicating that:

• the article is available via Charles University, or
• an Open Access version is available, or
• the content is not available, but the extension will suggest an alternative legal access point.

Support and feedback

If you encounter any issues or have questions, please contact [admin-eiz@cuni.cz]. We also welcome your feedback on the usefulness of the extension during the trial period.

Lean Library user support.