A public lending right for New Zealand authors

The Public Lending Right for New Zealand Authors Bill began its first reading in Parliament today.  The Bill gives New Zealand authors the right to payment for the public use of their books through public libraries, Associate Arts, Culture and Heritage Minister Judith Tizard said today.

"The Bill will establish a right for eligible New Zealand authors to receive an annual government payment to compensate them for New Zealand readers having free access to their books in libraries, rather than having to buy the works," said Judith Tizard.

“Our authors have provided a great cultural and social service to generation after generation of New Zealand library users” said Judith Tizard, who is also Minister Responsible for the National Library.  

“We are well known as a nation of avid readers, and that is reflected in having one of the highest rates of book borrowing and use of reference works in libraries all over the country.  Authors deserve not only some financial pay back for that but also some recognition for their service.  This Bill will go a long way to achieving both those aims.”

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