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Supporting authors
More than 18,000 Canadian authors receive a payment each year.
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Celebrating libraries
We support and celebrate public access to Canadian content in libraries.
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Enriching readers and listeners
The lives of readers and listeners are enriched by works that benefit from PLR payments.
Edmonton Public Library – Mill Woods Branch
Who can register with the Program?
Every year, mid-February is like a second Christmas, for I know a payment cheque from the PLR program will soon arrive in the mail. I am in awe of the program, for, to me, its existence is an acknowledgment of the value of cultural production, in particular of books, of the social importance of free access to books, and it honours the rights of people like me—writers--to be paid for our labour. The remuneration is, however, more than money. It is always a most welcome encouragement.
— Shani Mootoo, novelist and poet
Southern Ontario
As an author and literary translator of books published by small presses with limited marketing budgets, I depend on libraries to make my work available to a broader audience across Canada. The support from the PLR means so much more to me; it is not just any cheque!
— Anita Anand, author and translator
Saint-Lambert,
Quebec
Bibliothèque et Archives nationales du Québec - Grande Bibliothèque, Montréal
Program news
Message from the Chair of the PLR Commission
15 February 2025
The Public Lending Right Program lives at the most beautiful crossroads you can imagine, that where book lovers, disseminators and writers meet.
Public Lending Right Annual Report 2023-24
23 August 2024
This report provides details of the $14.7M author payment budget and the results of the program’s catalogue sampling exercise which included data from 40 public library networks across Canada. The report highlights the successful introduction of electronic payment/direct deposit for PLR recipients in this program cycle. The report also features a celebratory photo essay that traces the history of the Toronto Reference Library and the compelling social vision of its primary architect, Raymond Moriyama.
Download this report PDF | 9.7 MB