Recently, I have seen a few people asking do authors get money from libraries. In this post we will look at authors and our (possitive) relationship with libraries.
For those that do not like reading, the short answer is: Yes, some authors get money from libraries.
If you want to learn how, keep reading.
How do authors get money from libraries?
There are two ways that authors get money from libraries (not counting working for one). The first is obvious and the other not-so-obvious.
In order to lend a book the library needs a copy of the book. Books do not just magically appear in libraries, someone has to go and buy them. I think we all know how book sales work.
The other way that some authors make money from libraries is called public lending rights.
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.
The British Library, PLR
How do authors get money from libraries with PLR?
Over 22,000 authors and artists receive PLR payments in the UK each year. All you need to do to join them is register yourself and your books. Then, each time someone borrows one of your books, you will get paid.
Actually it is a bit more complicated than that. Each time is more like as an average worked out from a sample of library data. But the principle is the same.
You will want to register before 30th June to get paid for the year you register in.
Once you have registered you need do nothing more than collect an extra check.
Over to you
Had you heard about PLR before? Will you be registering for it? Or have you already registered?
Are you an author registered for PLR? Let us know how that has worked out for you in the comments.
Whatever your thoughts and opinions are on PLR we would love to hear from you. That’s what comments are for.