Legal deposit
All Queensland publishers, including government departments, commercial organisations, clubs, churches, societies and private individuals, are required by law to deposit a copy of their publications with both the State Library of Queensland and the Queensland Parliamentary Library. The requirement is contained in part 8 of the Libraries Act 1988 (Qld) [new window]
Benefits
- Preservation of publications
Depositing publications ensures the works of authors and publishers will survive for use by future generations. The State Library provides environmental conditions specifically designed to ensure the long-term preservation of the collections. - Assisting research
Our comprehensive collections of Queensland publications allows for research into all aspects of Queensland life, culture and artistic, commercial, technical and scientific endeavour.
What must be deposited?
- Anything published: a book, a periodical such as a newsletter or annual report, newspaper, magazine, journal, piece of sheet music, map, plan or chart; also non-print: an audio tape, videorecording, film, disk, microfilm or microfiche.
- Material is considered to have been published if reproductions of the material or edition have been supplied (whether by sale or otherwise) to the general public.
- Different editions : If you publish material in various forms of differing quality, a copy of the finest quality must be deposited. For example, if both a hard-cover edition and a paperback edition are published, one copy of the hard-cover edition must be deposited. A copy that is numbered and signed by the author is not considered to be finer than another copy of the same edition that is not numbered or signed. A copy of a second or later edition of any material does not have to be deposited unless it contains additions or alterations. If a second or later edition does contain additions or alterations then the finest copy of the edition must also be deposited. If a book is reprinted with a change of title, or by a different publisher, it is considered to be altered and must be deposited.
Where to deposit publications
One copy is to be forwarded within one month of publication to each of the following libraries:
Library Deposits (Queensland)
Resource Discovery Unit
State Library of Queensland
PO Box 3488
South Brisbane QLD 4101
Ph: (07) 3840 7893
Fax: (07) 3842 9126
Email: legaldeposit@slq.qld.gov.au
Parliamentary Library
Parliament House
George Street
Brisbane QLD 4000
Ph: (07) 3406 7199
Fax: (07) 3210 0172
Email: Library.inquiries@parliament.qld.gov.au
Under the Copyright Act 1968 (Cwlth) [new window] a copy of any work published in Australia must also be deposited with the National Library of Australia in Canberra.
Legal Deposit Unit
National Library of Australia [new window]
Canberra ACT 2600
Ph: (02) 6262 1312
Fax: (02) 6273 4492
Email: legaldep@nla.gov.au
National Library's Legal Deposit brochure [new window 
1.3 Mb]
Last updated: 5th August 2009
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