Lean Library Partners with OpenAthens to Enable Single Sign On

Lean Library, a SAGE Publishing company, announces a partnership with OpenAthens, an identity and access management software company, to support libraries accessing content using single-sign on authentication. This partnership expands Lean Library’s current program of supporting libraries with user-focused access to digital content.

Lean Library brings library services directly into a patron’s workflow via their web browser using a browser plugin. In the past year, the company has expanded its three core products, Library Access, Library Assist, and Library Alternatives, to better support ebooks and scholarly literature. The company was acquired by SAGE in 2018.

OpenAthens makes it easy for people to access the knowledge they want, when they want it, by removing the need to remember multiple user names and passwords and supporting off-site access. OpenAthens seamlessly slots into existing systems, such as Lean Library, to provide an optimal user experience.

“It’s Lean Library’s mission to support as many users as possible and with this partnership, we are one step closer,” says Johan Tilstra, founder of Lean Library. “We’re thrilled about our collaboration with OpenAthens – they’re a great team with a great product. Combined with Lean Library, it makes for a near perfect end-user experience.”

OpenAthens recognizes a shared purpose and mission. “The collaboration with Lean Library has been productive and exciting. We’d both spotted aspects of single sign-on that can be improved and working together, we’ve taken a step forward in creating a superior experience. We have removed the hoops and hurdles users sometimes need to jump through and over.” says Jon Bentley, commercial director of OpenAthens.

Lean Library provides software solutions to the library community, supporting researching accessibility and improving remote user experience. Connecting content to its user, Lean Library consists of three core products: Library Access, Library Assist and Library Alternatives.

Sara Miller McCune founded SAGE Publishing in 1965 to support the dissemination of usable knowledge and educate a global community. SAGE is a leading international provider of innovative, high-quality content publishing more than 1,000 journals and over 800 new books each year, spanning a wide range of subject areas. Our growing selection of library products includes archives, data, case studies and video. SAGE remains majority owned by our founder and after her lifetime will become owned by a charitable trust that secures the company’s continued independence. Principal offices are located in Los Angeles, London, New Delhi, Singapore, Washington DC and Melbourne.