Under the PLR system in the UK, payment is made from government funds to authors, illustrators and other contributors whose books are borrowed from public libraries. Payments are made annually on the basis of loans data collected from a sample of public libraries in the UK. The Irish Public Lending Remuneration (PLR) system covers all libraries in the Republic of Ireland and operates in a similar way.
To qualify for payment, applicants must apply to register their books.
The UK PLR scheme is administered by the British Library from its offices in Stockton-on-Tees (the 'PLR office'). The PLR office also provides registration for the Irish PLR scheme on behalf of the Public Lending Remuneration office.
Over 22,000 writers, illustrators, photographers, translators and editors who have contributed to books lent out by public libraries in the UK receive PLR payments each year.
If you have contributed to a book which is lent out by public libraries in the UK and the Republic of Ireland and wish to apply to register for UK and Irish PLR schemes, Applying for PLR will provide you with further information and guidance.
See Our organisation for more details of our core objectives and background to Public Lending Right.
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