Legal deposit in the United Kingdom formally obligates publishers to submit copies of all their publications to specific legal deposit libraries. The primary objective is to guarantee that these published works remain accessible for future generations.
In the UK, the Legal Deposit Libraries Act 2003 mandates that every book published within the country must be deposited at seven designated institutions. These include the British Library, the National Libraries of Scotland and Wales, the Bodleian Libraries at Oxford University, and the Universities of Cambridge, Glasgow, and Edinburgh. Beyond printed books, this act also covers e-publications, maps, and sheet music.
Enacted on April 6th, 2004, as a replacement for previous legislation limited to printed books alone—the 2003 Act became necessary due to increasing numbers of electronic publications demanding preservation measures regardless of format.
Publishers must provide each Legal Deposit library with a copy of their publications without cost. It can be accomplished by physically delivering a copy or submitting a digital file.
The purpose behind Legal Deposit serves two main objectives: preserving published works for posterity while simultaneously ensuring public access.
Legal deposit holds immense significance for books and publishing owing to several factors: facilitating prompt and efficient publication processes, enabling timely public accessibility, and safeguarding against copyright infringement.