Experiences and lessons learned from two years of our Controlled Digital Lending programme

Event Page | Check out the program in the Google Sheet [coming soon]

Our annual event is held in a hybrid format, with most sessions accessible both to on-site attendees and to those joining via Zoom.

Most people's initial remark these days upon hearing about Controlled Digital Lending is along the lines of "isn't that illegal now?"

In this presentation, I will clarify the current status of CDL (in different jurisdictions), discuss our risk-managed approach when we started up our programme in the Library, and share our findings on the value of the initiative after our first two years.

I will give a brief overview of the process within Alma and Alma Digital for setting up digital loans, and provide an analysis of the current functionality within the systems. I will recommend developments on the patron side that I feel are currently required to ensure that digital loans operate on the underlying 1:1 "owned to loaned" principle of CDL.

I will also look to future possible enhancements between digital loans and Leganto, and CDL's potential in the ILL sphere in the next five to ten years.

IGeLU 2026

October 19–22, 2026

Taipei

Experiences and lessons learned from two years of our Controlled Digital Lending programme

Event part

Abstract

Track

Products or Areas of Focus

Presenters

Kevin O'Donovan, London School of Economics, Library Acquisitions and Subscriptions Manager