Books Create Australia announces agreement for virtual library storytimes

24.03.20

A special arrangement for library storytime sessions during the COVID-19 outbreak has been announced by Books Create Australia, the collaboration between the Australian Booksellers Association (ABA), the Australian Library and Information Association (ALIA), the Australian Publishers Association (APA) and the Australian Society of Authors (ASA).

For the duration of the pandemic, virtual storytimes will be sanctioned by an industry agreement, where storytime involves a librarian reading a children’s picture book to children. As our community practices social distancing and libraries temporarily close, they may make recordings[1] or livestream their storytimes so children aren’t denied this important and much-loved service.

To support libraries delivering storytimes online, ALIA, the APA and the ASA have made this joint statement:

“The Australian Publishers Association, the Australian Library and Information Association and the Australian Society of Authors share a common goal for all children to be able to enjoy books and stories from the earliest years. Library-run storytimes make this opportunity available to many families, including those without books at home.

While the Copyright Act enables the performance of a picture book in some circumstances, the APA, the ALA, and ALIA are taking these steps to clarify any doubts. We value a safe environment, where libraries feel confident to adapt early literacy activities such as storytime for online delivery, via an open livestream or recording.

It is the policy of the Australian Publishers Association and the Australian Society of Authors that its members allow such use without any need for specific permission or payment.”

This agreement follows on from earlier agreements between ALIA, the APA and the ASA about the delivery of library-run storytimes outside library buildings, the use of book covers to promote books and authors, and the copying of the pull-out elements of books to replace the originals which have been lost by other borrowers.