Legal Deposit
The purpose of legal deposit legislation
Legal Deposit Laws exist in most countries. They are designed to ensure that copies of all material published in a country are deposited in its national library.
The Legal Deposit (Jersey) Law 2007 ensures that copies of works published in Jersey are preserved and become part of Jersey's cultural heritage for the benefit of present and future generations. Publishers must deposit a copy of each work, as required under the law, at the Jersey Library.
An Appointed Day Act has was adopted by The States Assembly on 13 May 2008 and the Law will come into force on 1 June 2008.
When catalogued, all items received under the Legal Deposit Legislation will be included on the
online library catalogue.
Legal Deposit (Jersey) Regulations 2008
Supporting Regulations were adopted by the States 13th May 2008 and the Regulations will also commence on 1 June 2008. The Regulations modify the effect of the law by:
- extending the law to include works published in electronic form but excluding those published only on the Internet
- identifying certain items that are exempt from the duty to deposit
Information for publishers - which works to deposit:
Lists of
works required and
works not required to be deposited under Jersey legal deposit legislation are listed below. If you require further guidance, please contact the Chief Librarian (
p.davis@gov.je 01534 448715).
Information for publishers - how to deposit works:
A copy of each work required under the law must be delivered to the Jersey Library addressed for the attention of the Chief Librarian.
If requested, a receipt will be provided.
Works must be deposited within one month of publication.
The copy must be in the same medium in which it is published, with any accompanying software instructions on how to access the work.
Second and subsequent editions do not need to be deposited if they are substantially the same in content as a copy previously deposited.
Works required - Books
- Newspapers
- Magazines, journals and ongoing publications (serials)
- Pamphlets over 32 pages and/or identified by an ISBN or ISSN
- States, Parish and other official publications
- Maps, charts, plans and tables
- Reports
- Sheet music
- Audio cassettes
- Video cassettes
- Films
- Multimedia kits
- Compact discs
- CDRoms
- DVDs
Works not required:
- Works produced for internal distribution (eg company/staff/club newsletters, handbooks and briefings)
- Works both prepared for publication and intended mainly for distribution outside Jersey
- Pamphlets of less than 32 pages not identified by an ISBN or ISSN
- Advertising or marketing material- whether for commercial, political, religious or other purpose
- Colouring books, puzzle books, sticker books and workbooks
- Diaries, calendars, posters and wall charts
- Works published on the Internet
- Material broadcast over radio or television
- Events programmes
- Computer games or software
Page Last Updated: 16/05/2008
