Closed
Source verified April 21, 2026
Public Lending Right (PLR) Program
Annual payments for Canadian book creators
Latest source updateLast Update: May 13, 2026Latest change: The PLR Program’s registration guidance shifted from active submission instructions to a notification signup, and the eligibility wording was tightened on key creator and book rules.View change
Latest source update
Last Update: May 13, 2026
Latest change: The PLR Program’s registration guidance shifted from active submission instructions to a notification signup, and the eligibility wording was tightened on key creator and book rules.
PLR registration process and eligibility updated
The registration page now focuses on signing up for an email notification when the next registration period opens, instead of providing full submission instructions. The page also adds a personal-information form, including SIN collection, while removing several concrete registration steps and mailing instructions. Eligibility content was also revised on related pages, with wording changes affecting who may apply and how eligible books and editions are described. Public lending scope and partner-sampling content changed slightly, but funding terms and contact details appear largely unchanged.
Funding available
$ 50 - $ 4,500
Deadline
May 1, 2027
Opened February 15, 2027
Location
Canada
Overview
Annual payments compensate Canadian book creators for library access to their works. The program supports eligible print, e-book and audiobook titles, including fiction, poetry, drama, children’s literature, non-fiction and scholarly works.
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Opportunity Score
Moderate potential, but conditions must align.
At a glance
Funding available
Financing goals
- Increase social or community impact
- Raise awareness or mobilize a population
Eligible Funding
- Maximum amount : 4,500 $
- Minimum amount : 50 $
Eligible candidates
Eligible Industries
- All industries
Location
- Canada
Legal structures
- Sole proprietorship
Annual revenue
- All revenue ranges
Organisation size
- All organization sizes
Audience
- Canadians
Next Steps
1
Determine your project
2
Validate your eligibility
Activities funded
- Registration of eligible books for PLR payments
- Registration of new titles, editions, or formats
- Updating existing registered titles with new ISBNs
Documents Needed
- Completed registration form
- Additional Titles form, if applicable
- Title page and copyright page
- Table of contents, if applicable
- Support material for each title
Official resources
Eligibility
Who is eligible?
- Writers
- Translators
- Illustrators and photographers
- Narrators
- Editors with original written contributions
Who is not eligible
- Deceased persons or estates
- Creators without original written contribution, where required
- Third parties or agencies submitting on behalf of creators
Ineligible Costs and Activities
- No retroactive payments
- Payments not cashed within 6 months are void
- Claims from deceased persons are not accepted
- Email submissions are not accepted
Eligible geographic areas
- Canada
Selection criteria
- Title presence in sampled public library catalogues
- Creator’s claimed share of the title
- Number of years the title has been registered
- Available program budget and total eligible titles
How to apply
- Step 1
- Check eligibility for yourself and your title(s)
- Calculate your claimed share for each title
- Collect valid ISBNs
- Step 2
- Complete the registration form
- Complete the Additional Titles form if needed
- Prepare the required support materials
- Step 3
- Upload the documents through the PLR Registration Portal
- Or mail the complete package if online submission is not possible
- Submit only during the annual registration period
- Step 4
- Wait for confirmation by email after online submission
- Keep the mailed proof if submitting by post
Processing and Agreement
- Applications are reviewed for eligibility
- Eligible titles are searched in selected public library catalogues across Canada
- Results are sent by mail in February of the following year
- If approved, payment is issued at the same time
Additional information
- Payments are issued once per year in mid-February.
- Payments must be cashed within 6 months of issue.
- Only living creators may participate.
- Claims can remain active for up to 25 years.
Contacts
Frequently Asked Questions about the Public Lending Right (PLR) Program Program
What is the Public Lending Right (PLR) Program?
Annual payments compensate Canadian book creators for library access to their works. The program supports eligible print, e-book and audiobook titles, including fiction, poetry, drama, children’s literature, non-fiction and scholarly works.
How much funding can be received?
Public Lending Right (PLR) Program Funds up to $4,500 of admissible expenses.
What is the deadline to apply?
Applications will open on February 15, 2027.
Who is eligible for the Public Lending Right (PLR) Program program?
To be eligible for the Public Lending Right (PLR) Program program, you must:
Canadian citizen or permanent resident
Eligible creator with original contribution
Recent book with valid ISBN
What expenses are eligible under Public Lending Right (PLR) Program?
Registration of eligible books for PLR payments
Registration of new titles, editions, or formats
Updating existing registered titles with new ISBNs
Who can I contact for more information about the Public Lending Right (PLR) Program?
You can contact Canada Council for the Arts (CCA) by email at plr@canadacouncil.ca or by phone at 1-800-521-5721.
Where is the Public Lending Right (PLR) Program available?
The Public Lending Right (PLR) Program program is available across Canada.