Acquisition of legal deposit materials

What is Legal Deposit?

Legal Deposit is a statutory provision, which obliges publishers to deposit copies of their publications in libraries in the country in which they are published.

The main purpose of Legal Deposit is to preserve the nation’s literary heritage and make them accessible for present and future generations.

Why publication are required for Legal Deposit?

Under Section 15 (1) and 15 (2), of the Sarawak State Library Ordinance, 1999, requires the author or publisher of every printed library resource published in Sarawak to deposit 5 copies of print and 2 copies of non-print publication.

Copies of publications required to be deposited?

PRINTED PUBLICATION Include books, serials, maps, charts, posters and seminar/conference papers

NON-PRINT PUBLICATION Include cinematograph films, microfilms, phonorecords, video and audio recordings and other electronic media

Who are required to deposit their publications?

Under Section 15 (1) and 15 (2), of the Sarawak State Library Ordinance, 1999, published materials is the sole responsibility of publishers, authors, commercial publishers, government departments and non-governmental organizations. They are required to deposit their publications to Pustaka as prescribed under the ordinance.

The benefit of Legal Deposit

• Preservation
  
• Research Avenue
  
• Bibliographic Database
  
• Promotion of Publication
  

Making a Legal Deposit

Complete a Legal Deposit Form (FORM LD/F1/2003) and deliver to Pustaka Negeri Sarawak in person or through post at one’s expense the best copies based on the following requirements:

Printed Publications

Within one month of publication

Serials Publications

Within one week from the date of publication

Non-Printed Publications

Within one year of publication