E-lending in Polish libraries: Co-creating guidelines for implementing the (i)SDL model

A pilot process around the (independent) Secure Digital Lending model, which was developed as a result of extensive research of the Knowledge Rights 21 initiative. The process aims to establish practical solutions for implementing the (i)SDL model, co-created with four public and academic libraries from Poland.

The project is a continuation of work carried out by Centrum Cyfrowe as part of Knowledge Rights 21, in cooperation with Jagiellonian University (Future Law Lab and the Department of Intellectual Property Law). The process is grounded in insights of two in-depth reports: “e-Books and Secure Digital Lending in European Libraries: Comparative Analysis Under National and International Law” and “Insight Digital Lending Pathways in Italy, Poland and Spain – Report for Poland.”

These analyses showed that it is possible to implement an e-lending model for Polish library collections within the framework of current regulations. However, this requires the clarification of technical and legal conditions. A key recommendation of the reports was for the library community itself to create a practical “guide” – a framework for action that could translate the theory and potential of the (i)SDL model into practice.

The pilot process aims to test the operability of the (i)SDL model within the context of Polish institutions – taking into account national legal conditions, technological capabilities, more individual organizational issues, and obstacles that may require systemic changes. Recommendations and guidelines will be developed in cooperation with experts from four Polish libraries:

• The University Library in Poznań,
• The Wrocław University of Science and Technology Library,
• The Voivodeship Public Library in Krakow,
• The Joseph Conrad Korzeniowski Municipal Public Library in Gdańsk.

The work is being conducted by a team of experts from Centrum Cyfrowe: Maria Drabczyk, Konrad Gliściński (Centrum Cyfrowe/KPWI UJ), and Katarzyna Ślaska.

Results of this work will be published in autumn of 2026.

The project is made possible thanks to the financial support of Knowledge Rights 21.