PLR British Library Switch

I've mentioned before about Public Lending Right (PLR), which is where authors can claim an amount each time their book is lent in a public library. As of tomorrow the administration of this is switching from the PLR body to the British Library. More info below:

TRANSFER OF PLR RESPONSIBILITIES TO THE BRITISH LIBRARY

What is happening?

The Department for Culture, Media and Sport (DCMS) announced in March 2013 that the Public Lending Right body will cease to exist as a separate organisation and responsibility for managing the PLR Scheme is to be transferred to the British Library. The current PLR team will join the British Library and will continue to manage the PLR Scheme from their existing offices in Stockton-on-Tees.

Why is PLR being transferred to the British Library?

DCMS took the decision to abolish the Registrar of Public Lending Right and transfer his functions to another publicly funded organisation with the aim of reducing the number of publicly funded bodies and finding further savings in PLR's running costs.

When will the administration of PLR be transferred to the British Library?

The British Library will be responsible for administering PLR from 1 October 2013.

What do I need to do?

You do not need to do anything; your existing registrations for UK and Irish PLR will not be affected.

Who do I contact with queries, new book registrations, changes to personal details etc?

The existing PLR team in Stockton-on-Tees will be joining the British Library and will continue to administer both the UK and Irish PLR schemes.

How will my payments be affected?

Payments will not be affected; the PLR team in Stockton-on-Tees will continue to administer your UK and Irish PLR payments. The next Irish PLR Statements will be posted in November 2013 and payments made in December 2013. The UK PLR Statements will be posted in January 2014 and payments will be made in February 2014.

How will I apply for PLR in the future?

You should continue to contact the PLR team in Stockton-on-Tees for both UK and Irish PLR applications. The online service will remain available at https://www.plr.uk.com/olga/login.aspx.

What contact details should I use?

The staff team is the same and they will remain on the 1st Floor, Richard House, Sorbonne Close, Stockton-on-Tees TS17 6DA. The telephone number will also be unchanged + 44 (0) 1642 604699. You can continue to log into your online account at www.plr.uk.com. We will have new email and website addresses from 1 October. However, you can still contact us using our current details for the foreseeable future. We will be in touch again to advise you of the new addresses.