(i)SDL Insight Digital Lending pathways in Italy, Poland, and Spain - Final Report

The (i)SDL Insight project, promoted by Knowledge Rights 21 and coordinated by Deborah De Angelis (KR21 Italy Coordinator), with the participation of  DDA Law Firm, CLAKP (CNR – IGSG, Italy), Centrum Cyfrowe (Poland), and Fesabid (Spain) explores the status and barriers of Independent Secure Digital Lending (i)SDL across Italy, Poland, and Spain.

Through a structured comparative survey conducted in Italy, Spain, and Poland, the project identifies the systemic factors hindering the implementation of (i)SDL services and outlines the key steps needed to unlock their potential within European library systems.

The  surveys’ results  reveal a shared aspiration to implement (independent) Secure Digital Lending - (i)SDL services, but significant systemic barriers continue to hinder progress. 

Across all contexts, the main barriers identified are legal uncertainty, technological limitations, inadequate funding, and insufficient human resource capacity. Many respondents perceive the legal framework as ambiguous or unknown, creating institutional hesitation and a lack of confidence in offering (i)SDL services. From a technological perspective, most libraries lack essential digitisation equipment, DRM systems, and archiving solutions, alongside staff trained to manage these processes effectively.

The (i)SDL final report summarises the results of the survey conducted in Italy, Poland, and Spain, offering a comprehensive overview to define the future strategies to implement secure digital lending. Unlocking the full potential of (i)SDL will require coordinated efforts at both national and international levels.