ALIA Online Storytime Program concludes

24.01.23

After two years, ALIA’s Online Storytime Program has wrapped up. You may recall that during 2020, both the ASA and Australian Publisher’s Association (APA) supported a short-term arrangement whereby libraries could move their Storytime sessions online without the need for specific copyright permission nor further remuneration, as an immediate pandemic crisis response. The community response to having Storytime online was positive, leading ALIA to propose a Pilot Program for 2021: a new subscription arrangement to allow online Storytimes to continue while providing remuneration for publishers, authors and illustrators. 

Key features of the Online Storytime Program included: 

• A reading of 5-10 minutes 
• Aimed at pre-school children and their families 
• Showcasing books by Australian authors & illustrators 
• Presented by local librarians and library staff
• Available online to watch on-demand, for up to 6 months from release via social media and some library websites, including a range of bilingual Online Storytimes
• Plus, a selection of Auslan Online Storytimes produced for children who are Deaf and Hard of Hearing (DHH)

The Pilot Program resulted in 3,664 purchases of Australian books, the creation of 1,787 Online Storytimes - 13% of which were bilingual - and fees of $80K which were paid to 55 publishers, who on-paid 412 authors and illustrators their share. 640 of 1,400 public library branches subscribed to the Pilot Program, meaning almost half of public library branches in Australia signed-up.

Many small publishers - such as Little Pink Dog Books and Big Sky Publishing - decided to be involved in the program; of the big publishers, only Allen & Unwin and Hachette participated. The book title most recorded for an Online Storytime was No Place for an Octopus by Claire Zorn, published by UQP. 

At the end of 2022, the Pilot Program ended as pandemic restrictions ceased and libraries returned to live programming. During lockdowns and restrictions, the program fulfilled its purpose of facilitating the continuation of early literacy work by libraries. However, there is no doubt that online programs remain attractive for remote communities and those with access requirements, and digital initiatives, that ensure fair remuneration to creators, will be important in the future. 

This program remains an example of good industry collaboration and we congratulate ALIA for their initiative and organisation, and all participating publishers, authors and illustrators. 

Read more about the Program here.