Using Alma Digital for Controlled Digital Lending

Abstract

Controlled Digital Lending (CDL) is the practice of circulating a digital surrogate of an item in place of its physical copy. The Alma extension that allows libraries to associate digital representations with existing bibliographic records (Alma Digital) is ideal for delivering CDL service. This presentation will provide a description of the CDL process and its copyright implications, as well as introducing Alma Digital as a tool for loaning digital items. The presentation will include demonstrations of Alma Digital's backend workflow and the frontend user experience of a CDL loan. The presentation will conclude with an open forum discussion about CDL, which should be a lively conversation since CDL is still a somewhat controversial practice.