In a previous post, I discussed how and where key bibliographic information, such as the title, author, and subject, is catalogued before the book is published. And in another post, I discussed why readers should care about legal deposit, a practice in which publishers deposit copies of their works with designated libraries.
Libraries also play an important role in creators’ revenue. If you’re an author, illustrator, translator, editor, compiler, or independent publisher, lending right schemes (public lending rights and educational lending rights) can pay you each year because libraries make your books available for free to readers. Lending right schemes aren’t grants or charity. Nor are they the same as legal deposit requirements. They also differ from the licences (and/or rights) managed by the Copyright Agency (which administers a separate licensing scheme).
Lending right schemes are government-run cultural programs that recognise that when books are freely borrowed (in public and educational libraries), creators and publishers can lose income and should be compensated.
Many authors focus primarily on book sales as their main source of income, often overlooking other valuable revenue streams. Among these, Public Lending Rights (PLR) and Educational Lending Rights (ELR) stand out as important programs that provide financial support to authors when their works are made available in public and educational libraries.
As Pamela Freeman discussed with the Australian Writers’ Centre, book sales and royalties from publishers are well known, but many authors miss out on payments generated by library lending.
PLR provides authors with compensation when their books are borrowed from public libraries, recognising the value of their work beyond direct sales. Similarly, ELR offers payments for books used in schools, colleges, and universities, reflecting the educational use of their content.
PLR and ELR programs are designed to support authors by providing financial returns based on library usage. These programs vary by country but generally require authors to register their works and meet specific eligibility criteria.
Payments are typically distributed annually based on the data libraries collect on book-lending frequency. These programs acknowledge the role libraries play in promoting literature and education while ensuring authors receive fair compensation.
PLR and ELR are two related Government programs (run in Australia and several other countries) that compensate eligible creators and publishers for the free multiple use of their books in libraries.
The simplest way to think about it is to distinguish between public libraries and educational libraries. PLR looks at public lending libraries (your council/local library network). Libraries are surveyed using a sample, and your payment is based on an estimate of how many copies of your book are held. ELR examines educational libraries and is also estimated through sampling and surveys, including work coordinated by Education Services Australia (ESA).
In practice, it means books can perform very differently in the PLR and ELR systems. A children’s title that’s widely stocked in schools may do better in ELR. A popular adult fiction title that’s heavily stocked in public branches may do better in PLR.
The policy logic is straightforward: when a single library copy of your book can be read by dozens (or hundreds) of people for free, that can replace some paid purchases. The schemes exist to recognise that lost income and keep Australian writing viable.
There are two reasons this matters for authors and independent publishers. Firstly, it’s an income stream that’s not tied to a launch week. PLR and ELR income can show up as ‘steady, boring money’, the kind that helps keep creative work sustainable.
Secondly, it rewards discoverability. Libraries are a discovery engine. Even when a library borrow doesn’t translate into a sale, it can lead to later purchases, recommendations, and event invitations (e.g., talks, school visits, festivals).
PLR programs exist in many countries, contributing to a broader creative economy by supporting authors worldwide. These payments help sustain authors’ livelihoods and encourage continued literary contributions, reinforcing the cultural importance of accessible public libraries.
Australia is the most prominent example of a country operating robust, dedicated schemes for both. The federal government administers separate Australian Lending Right Schemes to compensate local creators and publishers for books held in public (PLR) and educational (ELR) libraries.
According to the World Intellectual Property Organisation, around 35 countries worldwide have active PLR schemes. These programs primarily exist in Europe under the EU Rental and Lending Directive, as well as in a few other developed nations.
In Europe, countries with active PLR schemes include nearly all EU/EEA member states, as well as the United Kingdom, Germany, the Netherlands, France, Ireland, Malta, and all Scandinavian countries (Sweden, Denmark, Norway, and Finland).
Internationally, Canada, Israel, and New Zealand also have active PLR schemes. While these countries compensate authors for lending, they typically focus only on public libraries and do not extend the system to educational or academic institutions.
PLR provide authors with a way to receive compensation when their books are borrowed from public libraries. This system recognises the value of making authors’ work accessible to the public while ensuring they are fairly remunerated for library payments related to book loans.
PLR is a program that pays authors when public libraries loan out their books. Instead of relying solely on book sales, authors receive payments based on how often their books are borrowed. This helps support authors’ income by acknowledging the role libraries play in distributing their work.
To benefit from PLR, authors must meet specific eligibility criteria, which often include residency requirements and rights registration. Authors typically need to register their works with the relevant PLR agency to be considered for payments. Annual distributions are calculated based on library loan data, ensuring payments reflect actual usage.
Educational Lending Rights (ELR) play a crucial role in supporting both educational institutions and authors by providing compensation for books held in libraries within schools, colleges, and universities. This system acknowledges the value of educational book lending and ensures that authors receive fair remuneration for the use of their works in academic settings.
ELR is a program designed to compensate authors for the presence of their books in libraries at educational institutions. Unlike traditional sales, where authors earn royalties from purchases, ELR payments recognise the ongoing use of books through lending. This helps maintain a steady income stream for authors whose works are frequently accessed by students and educators.
While PLR focuses on books lent through public libraries, ELR specifically targets educational book lending. The benefits of ELR include tailored compensation that reflects the unique demands and usage patterns within educational environments. This distinction ensures that authors receive appropriate recognition and payment for their contributions to academic learning.
To secure ELR payments, authors must meet specific eligibility criteria and complete rights registration. This process involves submitting details about their published works and confirming their participation in the program. Understanding reporting requirements and deadlines is essential for authors to receive annual distributions accurately and on time.
Understanding how to use PLR and ELR fully can significantly impact an author’s income. By taking proactive steps, authors can ensure they receive the royalties they deserve from library and educational book lending programs.
Understanding the requirements for PLR and ELR is essential for authors who want to benefit from these programs. This includes knowing how to register rights, comply with reporting requirements, and track eligibility.
By actively managing these aspects, authors can ensure they receive the payments they deserve, adding a valuable income stream alongside traditional royalties. Let’s clarify these processes and encourage authors to take full advantage of their book lending rights.
To receive PLR and ELR payments, it’s essential to register all eligible works with the appropriate rights organisations. This ensures your books are recognised for library and educational lending, making you eligible for annual distributions. Keeping your registration up to date helps avoid missed payments and confirms your participation in these programs.
Accurate and timely reporting is crucial for maximising author royalties. Authors must submit the required information about their works and any changes in publication status. Meeting these reporting requirements allows rights organisations to calculate payments correctly and distribute funds based on actual lending data.
Many organisations offer support programs to help authors stay informed about changes in PLR and ELR policies, eligibility criteria, and payment schedules. Engaging with these resources can provide valuable insights and updates, helping you navigate the complexities of book lending rights and optimise your author income.
Most ‘I didn’t get paid’ stories come down to eligibility details. It’s important to ensure that the work is eligible and registered, and that the creator and publisher are as well.
The Office for the Arts lists eligible items as printed books, e-books, and audiobook versions, provided they meet requirements like:
Examples of ineligible items include serials (magazines), games/cards, and certain single-use books, such as activity/workbooks.
In Australia, eligible creators include (among others) authors, editors, illustrators, translators, and compilers, and generally need to be Australian citizens or otherwise normally reside in Australia (with eligibility ceasing if residency ends).
Eligible publishers include companies that substantially publish books and regularly publish in Australia, non-profits that publish to further their aims, and self-publishing creators.
One nuance that catches people off guard: payments are made only to eligible publishers when an eligible creator is receiving a payment.
Lending rights schemes are usually based on a formula. While authors and publishers don’t need to understand the exact formula to use the scheme, they do need to understand what influences payment outcomes.
The Office for the Arts describes payments as based on several factors. These factors include:
It’s also important to note that PLR and ELR payments are calculated and paid separately.
The scheme includes a minimum payment threshold ($100 for you to receive a payment), and it is financially meaningful at the national level.
The Office for the Arts reported more than 17,600 individual payments totalling $28.16 million in 2024–25, and ESA reported more than 18,100 individual payments totalling $26.6 million in 2023–24 (noting this figure in its ELR awareness materials).
Not every author enrolled in the program receives a large amount, but it does mean the program is active, funded, and worth taking seriously.
This handy workflow will help every author on their journey!
Australian creators and publishers register through Lending Rights Online.
As a new claimant, you must submit at least one title claim when you register. After submission, you should receive an email confirmation and a unique claimant number, which you use to sign in and manage your details.
The Office for the Arts indicates that creators and publishers must register and submit title claims within five years of the year of publication. They also publish current claim-period timings. (For example, one claim period is listed as 1 April 2026 to 31 March 2027 (AEDT), and the deadline for submitting new title claims is 31 March 2027. Creators should always verify the current claim window on the official page before assuming dates as the window rolls each year.)
If your bank details change and you don’t update them, you can create an avoidable delay.
LRO is designed to let you:
Because holdings are estimated via surveys or sampling, your book needs to be correctly represented in the library and cataloguing systems. At a minimum, that means:
With the advent of digital formats, there are additional factors for authors to consider. Firstly, after lobbying from the Australian Society of Authors, digital formats are now explicitly eligible in Australia. The Office for the Arts includes e-books and audiobooks (where they meet the other requirements) in its eligibility description.
Secondly, policy frameworks are moving to reflect digital borrowing. Australian industry reporting in 2026 notes new legislation that combines PLR and ELR under a single act and explicitly recognises digital formats and platforms used for borrowing (e.g. e-books and audiobooks via modern library platforms).
It’s an important actionable takeaway for authors and publishers: if you have print and digital editions, treat them as distinct claims and distinct metadata items. Don’t assume ‘I claimed the paperback (or print edition)’ automatically covers your audiobook.
It’s important to consider how authors can increase the likelihood that they benefit not by gaming a formula but by removing common blockers.
One of the most common myths is that donating a copy to your local branch guarantees it will matter for PLR and ELR. A practical way to think about it (in real-world language from indie author communities): if a book isn’t ‘shelf-ready’ or in the right systems, donated copies can be hard for libraries to process and may not be retained by the library.
The official scheme emphasises the basics, such as an ISBN and a catalogue record in national bibliographic databases. That’s not bureaucratic busywork. It’s how your book becomes:
Because eligibility includes print, e-books, and audiobook versions (subject to criteria), treat each format as a first-class product with:
Creators and publishers can secure their creative future through lending rights schemes. Understanding and using PLR and ELR are essential for authors seeking to sustain their livelihood through their creative work.
These programs provide a valuable source of income by compensating authors for the lending of their books in public and educational libraries, recognising the ongoing value their work brings to readers beyond direct sales.
PLR and ELR payments serve as a critical financial support system for authors, ensuring they receive fair compensation when their books are borrowed from libraries. This income helps maintain a stable author income, allowing writers to continue producing new works.
By acknowledging libraries’ role in promoting literature and education, these rights affirm the author’s contribution to cultural and educational enrichment.
Authors should explore the eligibility criteria and reporting requirements for PLR and ELR programs in their region. Registering your rights and submitting accurate lending data is vital to receiving annual distributions. Staying informed and proactive about your book lending rights ensures you claim the author royalties you deserve and avoid missing out on potential income.
By actively managing lending rights, authors contribute to a fairer and more sustainable creative economy. These programs not only provide financial support but also recognise the ongoing impact of authors’ work in communities and educational settings. Taking control of your lending rights is a meaningful step toward securing your creative future and supporting the broader literary ecosystem.
Public lending rights and educational lending rights are vital frameworks that ensure authors receive fair compensation for their work, directly contributing to the sustainability of the literary ecosystem. Readers play a pivotal role in this process. By actively borrowing books from libraries, you, the readers, directly contribute to authors’ PLR and ELR earnings.
Additionally, showing your support through likes, follows, and comments on authors’ platforms significantly boosts their visibility and reach, indirectly improving their professional opportunities and earning potential. Let’s collectively champion the value of authorship by using library resources and fostering vibrant online communities around the creators we admire.
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