Librarians wary of angry authors

Photo: ODT files
Photo: ODT files
Angry  authors have forced some National Library staff to make their emails anonymous.

Each year, authors whose books are held by libraries are offered a share of the $2 million public lending right fund.

The amount each author receives depends on how many copies of their works - over a threshold of 50 - are held by libraries.

The latest, anonymous, email from the unnamed co-ordinator of the library's Public Lending Right Advisory Group, includes a ``frequently asked questions'' section with the question: Why don't we sign our emails?

And the answer: ``The reason we don't widely identify staff working on the PLR is because they have been accosted in the street and at home by some authors.

``We have therefore reluctantly taken this step in an attempt to protect our employees from this type of unacceptable behaviour.''

The email noted there are 1811 registered authors, with 6018 eligible titles, each receiving $3.46 per copy.

A National Library manager, who preferred to remain anonymous, told the Otago Daily Times yesterday the library had genuine concerns about the safety of staff.

He could not be specific about instances of staff being ``accosted'' but believed they related to when payments to authors were due and the regulations concerning who was entitled to payment.

mark.price@odt.co.nz

 

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