Update: Hachette Australia’s Virtual Storytimes policy still applies through to the end of December 2021 for any area in a local lockdown.
In the current climate of uncertainty surrounding school closures and access to books, Hachette Australia will be granting free permissions for online story-time events for those areas in a local lockdown in order to continue to support schools, bookshops and public libraries. Access to books for children is now both more crucial and less certain than ever. For that reason, Hachette Australia will be permitting authors, illustrators, teachers, librarians and booksellers who are restricted by lockdown to host read-aloud experiences across digital platforms, as outlined by the General Guidelines below.
PLEASE NOTE: It is the applicant’s responsibility to ensure that the title being read aloud is a Hachette Australia title. If there is any doubt as to the rights status of the title, or whether the proposed usage fits the virtual storytime guidelines, applicants will have to make a standard permissions request through the licensing inbox and await further advice before proceeding.
Provided guidelines are complied with in full and all details as below have been provided, applications will not receive a formal response and can consider their storytime ‘preapproved’.
GENERAL GUIDELINES
Teachers, librarians, booksellers, authors and illustrators providing content for children during the period to 31st December 2021:
GUIDELINES FOR EDUCATIONAL SETTINGS
GUIDELINES FOR PUBLIC LIBRARIES AND BOOKSHOPS
For authors, illustrators, booksellers and librarians who wish to provide a story-time reading or other read-aloud experience to young people who would otherwise visit the library or bookshop in person:
From now until the 31st of December 2021, the abovementioned groups will be permitted to share read-aloud videos and live events on closed educational platforms, or streamed temporarily on live platforms. Should it prove necessary this date maybe extended, with the intention that this policy shall remain for the duration of the pandemic.
For clarity, this permission does not cover commercial use of the readings. If you are planning to charge for any use of these recordings, please contact licensing@hachette.com.au to seek a formal agreement.
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