Digital Lending Summit
Hosted by the Boston Library Consortium
BLC invites you to join a national conversation on the future of digital lending. This fall, attendees will gather in Boston to explore strategies for expanding and improving digital lending practices.
Wednesday, October 29, 2025
Boston College
Yawkey Athletics Center
10:00 AM - 4:30 PM EDT
Schedule and Format
Join us for an exciting day to learn about the landscape of digital lending practices in libraries, collaborate across organizational silos, and chart the foundations of a broader community of practice to bring actionable and aspirational change to the digital lending ecosystem.
This day-long event will feature a mix of panels and brainstorming sessions, featuring practitioners and leaders across the world of digital lending to identify actionable steps for attendees to effectuate as they return to their home institutions.
Panel sessions will be focused on the following topics:
Panel 1: Access & Ownership
- The library licensing ecosystem
- What does true “ownership” of digital content look like?
- Strategies to scale digital ownership
Panel 2: Discovery & Systems
- The landscape of digital lending systems
- Discovery of digital resources
Panel 3: Practitioner Experience
- Collaboration in lending digital resources
- Navigating licenses as practitioners
- User experience & digital lending
The day will conclude with a forward-looking conversation on sustaining a community of practice, ensuring that the momentum from the Summit carries into ongoing collaboration and impact.
The panels will be streamed for virtual attendees.
A light breakfast and lunch will be provided to attendees. The Summit will conclude with a reception at the McMullen Museum of Art from 5:00 to 7:00 pm ET.
A full agenda and schedule is forthcoming.
Registration
Registration is free and open to all library workers.
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In-Person Attendance: Space is limited. If you plan to join us on site, we encourage you to register and make your travel arrangements as early as possible. In-person registration includes parking and meals during the event.
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Virtual Attendance: A remote viewing option is available for those unable to attend in person.
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Travel Support: A limited number of travel stipends are available to help offset costs for attendees who would not otherwise be able to attend in person. More details are available through the registration link above.
Complete your registration for both in-person and virtual streaming options using the link above.
Travel Information
Hotel
A limited block of rooms has been reserved for Digital Lending Summit attendees at a discounted conference rate of $239/night for stays between October 28–30, 2025. This special rate offers convenient access to all Summit activities and nearby attractions. Reservations must be made by September 30, 2025 to secure the discounted rate. After this date, rooms will be subject to availability and standard pricing. To book a room, you can call (617) 730-3660 and request the Boston Library Consortium Group Block or follow the link here.
Parking
Parking is free and available to attendees at the Beacon Street Garage via a parking pass that will be shared with attendees.
Directions
By Public Transportation (MBTA)
Boston College is located at the end of the "B" line branch of the T's Green Line. One-way fares are $2.75 and travel time from downtown Boston outbound to Boston College is approximately 45 minutes. Once you exit the T at Boston College, cross to the other side of the street (Commonwealth Avenue) and enter the campus.
From Logan Airport: Take the SL1 (silver line bus) to South Station. Take the Red Line of the T towards Alewife to Park Street. Take the "B" Boston College Line of the Green Line outbound to Boston College. Boston College will be the last stop on this line. Estimated travel time: 1 hour and 15 minutes.
By Car From the West
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (Route 90) to Exit 127. At the first set of lights after the exit ramp, take a right onto Centre Street. Follow Centre Street to the fourth set of lights, and turn left onto Commonwealth Avenue. Follow Commonwealth Avenue 1.5 miles to Boston College.
From the North or South
Take Interstate 95 (Route 128) to Exit 24. Proceed east on Route 30, also known as Commonwealth Avenue, and follow for about five miles to Boston College.
From the South
Take I-93/Route 3 (Southeast Expressway) north to Boston. Exit onto Storrow Drive (Exit 26). Continue on Storrow Drive to the Kenmore Square exit. Follow Campus Directions below.
From Downtown Boston
Take the Massachusetts Turnpike (Route 90) to Exit 127. Take a left over the bridge after passing the Crowne Plaza Hotel. Take the first right onto Centre Street. Follow Centre Street to the fourth set of lights, and turn left onto Commonwealth Avenue. Follow Commonwealth Avenue 1.5 miles to Boston College.
Campus Directions
Directions to the Yawkey Athletic Center at Boston College can be used via this navigation link. GPS directions to Beacon Street Garage can be found here.
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Funding & Support
This project was made possible by the Institute of Museum and Library Services [IMLS grant number LG-254935-OLS-23]. Learn more about this grant here.
The views, findings, conclusions or recommendations expressed in this program do not necessarily represent those of the Institute of Museum and Library Services.