Exploring Norway’s Innovative Library Policies: Insights from Innkjpsordningen

In recent years, Norway has implemented a unique and innovative policy aimed at supporting its literary landscape. The innkjpsordningen (Norwegian for purchase agreement) is a government initiative that compels the state to purchase books from newly published authors, with a particular focus on children's books and translated works. This policy is not only a significant cultural support mechanism but also a method to ensure the availability of diverse and quality content in public libraries.

About Innkjpsordningen

The innkjpsordningen has its roots in 1965, when the Norwegian State, in collaboration with the publishers' associations and the authors' associations, introduced this system. The primary goal was to preserve and strengthen the use of the Norwegian language in literary contexts. Under this policy, publishers that are members of the Norwegian Publishers Association (NIBA) or the Authors Association have a fair chance of having their books acquired by the state. Specifically, for novels, poetry collections, and plays, the government will buy 773 copies for each new release. These books are distributed to public libraries throughout the country, as well as to a selection of foreign university libraries that are teaching Norwegian.

Policy Implementation and Scope

The innkjpsordningen is designed to support a variety of genres and types of literature. The policy includes separate purchase agreements for different categories, each with specific criteria and quantities:

Children's Books: Approximately 100 titles are purchased annually, with 1500 copies of each title distributed. Non-fiction for Children: About 25 titles are selected each year, with 1480 copies of each.
Translated Fiction: Around 130 titles are considered each year, with 542 copies of each.
Translated Non-fiction: Approximately 50 titles are chosen annually, with 1000 copies of each.

For more traditional literary works, a panel reviews each book. The panel has the authority to reject individual works that do not meet the standards set by the policy.

Benefits and Impact

The innkjpsordningen serves multiple purposes, all of which are in the interest of the public and the literary community. Firstly, it ensures that libraries across Norway are stocked with the latest and most relevant literature. Secondly, it incentivizes authors to continue writing new Norwegian literature, knowing that their works are potentially supported by the government. Lastly, it provides a financial subsidy to the publishing industry, making it more profitable and sustainable to produce Norwegian literature.

Some critics argue that the policy should be limited to properly published works and that evidence of a formal contract with a recognized publisher is required. This is to prevent any "crank" or amateur work from being forced into distribution. However, the current implementation seems to have quality control measures in place to prevent such occurrences.

Comparison with U.S. Library Purchasing

The innkjpsordningen is often compared to the practices in the United States, where public libraries also tend to purchase books that are deemed useful for library collections. Here, local libraries have a degree of discretion in selecting materials and multi-state libraries can participate in cooperative purchasing. However, the U.S. system lacks the centralized and systematic approach seen in Norway's policy.

Despite structural differences, the underlying principle of supporting local publishers and authors through government-agency purchasing remains consistent. In both systems, the intention is to ensure that libraries have access to a wide range of high-quality literature that meets the needs of their patrons.

Overall, Norway's innkjpsordningen stands as an exemplary model of how government intervention can support the literary sector while fostering a culturally rich and diverse society. Its long-standing history and wide-reaching scope have made it a cornerstone of Norwegian cultural policy, and its impact on the national literary landscape is undeniable.