Fatima Darries, Chair of the LIASA Western Cape Branch, points out that it is important for librarians working in public libraries to attend this legotla in order to understand the implications and to give their views as professionals.
Dr James Parker, CEO of the Public Lending Right (PLR) in the UK, is visiting South Africa in June to participate in the Rights Lekgotla organised jointly by ANFASA and the Publisher's Association of SA (PASA) at the Cape Town Book Fair. He will also be facilitating a brief
workshop on PLR, to take place the day the Book Fair ends.
Public Lending Right became law in the United Kingdom in 1979, and plays a crucial role in the country's creative economy by supporting authors financially. Public libraries accumulate lending figures for PLR, which collates the data and distributes the money received from the
government, direct to writers.
Public Lending Right exists in many countries besides the UK, but not in South Africa. In some countries, notably Australia and Canada, it operates as a 'cultural benefit' rather than a right of copyright, and this is the model of most interest in this country. Monies collected, which are not paid by the borrowing public but come from the state, go towards the development of authors and authorship.
On behalf of South African authors, ANFASA is opening the debate as to whether we need, want and aim to lobby for PLR in this country. It is a hugely important topic because PLR has the potential to contribute directly towards research and knowledge production as well as creative
writing.
Dr Parker is possibly the foremost authority in the world on this subject, and we are privileged to have him as our guest. All authors - not only academic and non-fiction authors - are invited to attend this workshop and to learn more about this crucial issue.
If you live in the Western Cape you should not miss this opportunity.
Date: Wednesday 20 June 2007
Time: 17h00 to 19h00 (followed by refreshments)
Venue: Centre for the Book, Queen Victoria Street, Cape Town
Places at the workshop are limited and will be booked on a
first-come-first-served basis. To book your place, send an email without
delay to info@anfasa.org.za.
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