PUBLIC LENDING RIGHTS (PLR) – REMUNERATION FOR PUBLIC LENDING OF BOOKS FROM PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN MALTA AND GOZO

The National Book Council has introduced a remuneration scheme which benefits authors whose books are available to borrow from the Public Libraries of Malta and Gozo. The scheme in question also remunerates:

i) co-authors of a publication.*

ii) illustrators and photographers responsible for 50% or more of the publication’s content – generally the case in children’s books where illustrations play an important and essential role alongside the text.*

iii) editors responsible for ammassing works by several contributors for a publication.**

 

*In cases where a book has two or more authors – be they co-authors, illustrators or photographers – payment will be divided equally between all parties.

**In the case of an editor responsible for ammassing works by several contributors for a publication, payment will go to the editor.

Please note that:

i) every publication listed must be accompanied by an ISBN issued by the National Book Council.

ii) every publication listed must be in line with the law concerning legal deposits which requires that two copies of every publication be deposited in the National Library of Malta.

 

In order to apply the author/editor or co-author/photographer/illustrator must submit a hard copy of the application form (downloadable to print from below or sent to you via e-mail upon request at joe.debattista@gov.mt ) and attach a detailed bibliography of works listing:

a) Title of Publication.

b) Name and Surname (as printed).

c) Role in Publication.

d) ISBN.

 

Remuneration is issued every 3 months based on the lending statistics of the book/s in question as gathered from all Public Libraries in Malta and Gozo and including both Regional and Branch Libraries. The allocated funds for every period are divided percentage wise according to these statistics and payments are issued in cheque form and sent by post to the applicant.

In order to notify the National Book Council of any changes in applications that have already been submitted, it is necessary for the applicant to fill-in another form and submit it to the Secretary, National Book Council, c/o Central Public Library, Prof. J. Mangion Street, Floriana, FRN1800  (Tel. +356 21222654). The Council will then issue receipt and confirmation.

Registration forms can be downloaded from this link:

PUBLIC LENDING RIGHTS (PLR) – REMUNERATION FOR PUBLIC LENDING OF BOOKS FROM
PUBLIC LIBRARIES IN MALTA AND GOZO AND FROM THE UNIVERSITY OF MALTA LIBRARY

In 2014 the National Book Council introduced a remuneration scheme benefitting authors whose books are available to borrow from the Public Libraries of Malta and Gozo. A similar scheme is being introduced in 2021 enabling applicants to also benefit from the rights to their books borrowed from the University of Malta Library. These schemes also remunerate:

i) co-authors of a publication.*

ii) illustrators and photographers responsible for 50% or more of the publication’s content – generally the case in children’s books where illustrations play an important and essential role alongside the text.*

iii) editors responsible for amassing works by several contributors for a publication.**

*In cases where a book has two or more authors – be they co-authors, illustrators or photographers – payment will be divided equally between all parties.

**In the case of an editor responsible for ammassing works by several contributors for a publication, payment will go to the editor.

Please note that

i) every publication listed must be accompanied by an ISBN issued by the National Book Council.

ii) every publication listed must be in line with the law concerning legal deposits which requires that two copies of every publication be deposited in the National Library of Malta.

How to apply

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.

NBC Secretary,
Kumpless Bice Mizzi Vassallo
Triq Arnhem
Pembroke PBK1776

The total gross sum issued annually through PLR payments by the National Book Council is €60,000 for the year 2023, and it is issued quarterly to authors, co-authors, illustrators and photographers, or editors by the National Book Council against book loans from public libraries in Malta. The allocated funds for every period are divided percentage-wise according to these statistics, and payments are issued via bank transfer into the account provided by the applicant upon registration.

The first payments for loans from the University of Malta Library will be issued once the NBC receives a comprehensive list of applications from authors / illustrators / photographers of books borrowed from the University of Malta Library.

Contact Us

In order to notify the National Book Council of any changes in applications that have already been submitted, it is necessary for the applicant to fill-in another form and resend it on the address provided above. The Council will then issue receipt and confirmation via email.

For more information you can also contact us by phone at +356 27131574.

Download

PLR APPLICATION FORM

Authors, translators, editors, illustrators and photographers who are already part of the Malta Libraries PLR scheme and would like to be included in the University of Malta Library PLR scheme can do so by sending an email to Michael Mercieca (michael.mercieca@gov.mt) – resending the application form is not required.