Media Release: $21.7 million for Australian authors, publishers and illustrators

More than 16,300 authors, publishers and illustrators will receive $21.8 million through to the Australian Government’s Lending Rights schemes in 2018-19.

Minister for Communications, Cyber Safety and the Arts, the Hon Paul Fletcher MP, said the scheme compensates authors and publishers for the free use of their books in Australian public and educational libraries.

“Libraries are an important source of literature for Australians, with more than 6 million people visiting libraries in 2017-18. These schemes support our creators to make their work available to people of all ages and backgrounds,” Minister Fletcher said.

“95% of Australians read books for pleasure and 41% borrow books from public libraries. These payments help our authors and publishers to keep writing and sharing stories with Australian audiences.”

Authors and publishers can submit and track their claims online using the Lending Rights Portal. Title claims must be submitted within 5 years from the year of publication and by 31 March each year to be eligible for payment.

For more information and to register for lending rights visit: www.arts.gov.au/lendingrights