Members support proposal by Sirið Stenberg to amend library law in Norway
Members of the cultural committee of the Parliament have expressed their support for a proposal put forward by Sirið Stenberg, the Minister of Education, to amend the library law, allowing a broader range of individuals to receive library fees.
The aim of this proposal is to enable all creators, whether their works are printed or digital, to receive compensation when their material is accessed through libraries. This includes composers, photographers, and narrators.
Previously, composers and photographers were eligible for library fees until December 31, 2023. However, due to an oversight, they have been excluded from the new legislation passed last year.
Narrators, who have not received any compensation before, will be the only new group included to receive payment whenever an audiobook is borrowed from the library.
The authors’ society asserts that novels, short stories, poetry, and children’s books should be prioritized in the distribution system for library fees.
These comments pertain to the regulations surrounding the distribution of fees. Consequently, they will not influence the legislative proposal and will be addressed separately, as stated by the Ministry of Culture and Education.
The authors’ society has noted that their comments were not taken into consideration during the creation of the regulations.