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The National Book Council of Malta is an independent public entity operating under the Ministry for Education, Sport, Youth, Research and Innovation dedicated to serving the Maltese book industry and providing essential services for authors, publishers, editors, translators, illustrators and booksellers. The Council’s markedly cultural mindset and multimedia approach enables it to work with different partners to achieve its goals.
The National Book Council is actively involved in multiple activities, ranging from large-scale international and national events to smaller-scale initiatives. Our flagship events include the Malta Book Festival, usually held in November, and the National Book Prize as well as other literary contests. Additionally, we administer Public Lending Rights payments (in close collaboration with Malta Libraries) and are the ISBN & ISMN agency for Malta. We promote the interests of the book industry’s stakeholders and act as mediators for authors and publishers at foreign book fairs, both directly and through a growing advisory board, and facilitate translations and export projects via the Malta Book Fund.
Subsidiary Legislation 605.12 establishing the National Book Council can be found here.
For more information about the Freedom of Information Act and how to submit requests, kindly access this document.
The National Book Council (NBC) is a public entity under the Ministry for Education whose aim is to support the local publishing industry through public funding mechanisms, cultural events and international outreach initiatives. It is also the main ISBN and ISMN issuing body on the Maltese islands.
The NBC offers direct financial support through the Malta Book Fund and the Public Lending Rights Scheme.
The NBC also supports the industry through initiatives which aim to foster a wider culture of reading and book-buying, chief of which is its flagship annual event: The Malta Book Festival.
Stakeholders in the book industry also benefit from the visibility bestowed upon their work by the National Book Prize. The NBC also invests in promotional campaigns throughout the year which highlight various aspects of the industry, and which serve to further increase the presence of Maltese books among the general public.
The offices of the NBC are located at the Bice Mizzi Vassallo Complex, Arnheim Road, Pembroke.
No, that would be the responsibility of the National Literacy Agency (NLA). However, the NBC often collaborates with the NLA on various initiatives, and welcomes them at the Malta Book Festival.
No, administration of public libraries is the responsibility of a separate government entity – Malta Libraries. However, the NBC frequently collaborates with Malta Libraries on various initiatives, while also supporting them with an annual donation of books which have won the National Book Prize that year.
You can get in touch with us through the online form in the Contact Us section of this website. You may also send us an email on nationalbookcouncil@gov.mt, or give us a call on +356 27131574. Should you wish to visit it us at our offices, you may do so from Monday to Friday during office hours (08:00-16:00) at the following address: National Book CouncilBice Mizzi Vassallo ComplexArnheim RoadPembroke, PBK 1776Malta
The Malta Book Festival is the leading book-based event on the island, organised by the National Book Council. An annual celebration of book culture in Malta, the Festival invites all stakeholders to participate – from publishers and booksellers to self-published authors as well as public entities and the cultural arms of diplomatic institutes from all countries who have a presence on the island. First established in the late 1970s, the event was rebranded into a Festival in 2013, after which it has also welcomed leading international literary figures as special guests. A family-friendly event which welcomes thousands of visitors each year – with school visits by pupils featuring strongly during its weekday-morning slots – the event offers a dynamic programme of events which caters to various age groups and interests.
Visit the Malta Book Festival page on this website for more information
The National Book Prize is the highest literary prize assigned to authors, editors, translators, publishers and illustrators for books published in Malta during the preceding year. Titles are shortlisted and awarded according to the various categories of the National Book Prize. The National Book Prize is evaluated by an independent adjudication board ensuring the highest degree of transparency and fairness.Visit the National Book Prize page on this website for more information.
The Malta Book Fund open to applications for five types of grants:i) Publishing Grants for New Books;ii) Publishing Grants for New Editions of Out-of-Print Works;iii) Translation and Export Grants Category 1: Grants for the Translation and Export of books by Maltese authors;iv) Translation and Export Grants Category 2: Book Translation Pitch Grants (Sample translations);v) Grants for Translations into MalteseAll grants awarded may support up to 100% of the proposed project up to a maximum of €5,000 for all grants except the Book Translation Pitch Grants, which may support up to a maximum of €500 per pitch proposal.
For more information visit the Malta Book Fund page on this website.
An author/translator/editor or co-author/photographer/illustrator can apply to join one or both of schemes (Malta Libraries and the University of Malta Library) by submitting the filled-in and signed application form and a detailed bibliography of works listing the i. Title of Publication, ii. Name and Surname (as printed), iii. Role in Publication, and iv. ISBN, to the Secretary of the NBC at the address below.ISBN Manager,Kumpless Bice Mizzi VassalloTriq ArnhemPembroke PBK1776
Visit the PLR page on this website for more information.
If you have any queries, feel free to get in touch with us through the contact details below or by submitting an Enquiry Form.
National Book Council Bice Mizzi Vassallo Complex Arnheim Road Pembroke, PBK 1776 Malta
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