Promote and Bring Your Print Collection Online with Lean Library

Academic libraries play a crucial role in providing students and researchers with access to both digital and physical books and other collections. While digital resources offer convenience and easy access, physical books remain an essential part of the student and research experience, ensuring permanence, mitigating screen fatigue, and addressing access inequities, ensuring accessibility for all users.

Our Lean Library product originally focused on connecting users with the library’s digital collections when they search online on sites like Google Scholar. We’re pleased to share that Lean Library has now introduced Print Alternatives to also connect users with the library’s physical, print resources when they search on the open web.

What is Print Alternatives?

Print Alternatives is a new enhancement to Lean Library’s existing Alternatives feature that seamlessly surfaces the library’s print book availability when users search for books online. When a user is browsing for books online (whether on Amazon, Waterstones, or any book seller site) and an ISBN is detected, the Lean Library browser extension will now alert users to whether a physical copy of the book is available in the library’s collection instead. This ensures that users are aware of all available formats—digital and print—at their point of need.

How Does Print Alternatives Work?

Print Alternatives functions as part of Lean Library’s existing Alternatives flow, which links users to alternative ways to access content they are searching for online, whether:

• Licensed eBook Alternatives: If a licensed eBook is available, the extension provides access.
• Open Access eBook Alternatives: If an Open-Access version is found, it is surfaced.
• Print Book Alternatives: If no digital copy is available, the extension highlights the availability of a physical copy in the library’s holdings, thereby reducing unnecessary Interlibrary Loan (ILL) requests.
• Interlibrary Loan (ILL) or Document Delivery Service (DDS): If no other options exist, patrons are guided to request the resource via ILL or DDS.

When a print book is identified, the extension provides a “Find copy” button that pre-generates a search in the library’s catalogue, directing patrons to locate the print title. This feature increases the visibility and circulation of physical collections while offering students and researchers greater flexibility in accessing materials.

Supported Discovery Systems

Print Alternatives works with the major library discovery system providers, including:

• Ex Libris Primo
• EBSCO EDS

For institutions using other discovery systems, the original Print Book functionality, which included a “Check for print” button, remains available, allowing patrons to navigate to their library’s website for print book searches.

Why Print Still Matters

In an increasingly digital world, print books continue to provide unique value. They offer a break from screen fatigue, ensure longevity, and support equity by providing access to students who may not have reliable digital access. By integrating Print Alternatives into Lean Library, we’re helping institutions maximize the impact of their print collections alongside digital offerings.

For more insights into the importance of print, explore our blog post.

Learn More

With Print Alternatives, Lean Library can make the library’s print collections as accessible as digital resources, ultimately increasing engagement, improving resource usage, and supporting a diverse range of learning preferences.

Discover how Print Alternatives can amplify your library’s impact today by requesting a demo.