A tribute to Dr. Jim Parker

Dr. Jim Parker was a leading figure, both in the UK and around the world, for Public Lending Right (PLR), which compensates authors when their books are borrowed from public libraries. He led the UK PLR office, based then in Stockton-on-Tees, for 23 years from 1991 to 2014. He’s pictured above with Maureen Duffy, the ALCS Honorary President who was instrumental in the establishment of PLR back in 1979.

During his long service as Registrar for PLR UK, he was reappointed multiple times, reflecting the deep trust and respect for his stewardship. He oversaw the modernisation of the PLR system from the analogue era of the early 90s into the digital era of the 2010s. He received widespread praise for the efficiency of the office under his tenure, keeping costs low to ensure the vast majority of its funding was distributed to authors. He was also a champion of the campaign to include audiobooks and e-books in PLR payments, which became a reality shortly after his retirement.

As well as overseeing PLR in the UK, as a passionate advocate for this right, he became a global champion for the establishment of PLR schemes around the world. In 1995 he founded PLR International, a global network to promote awareness of PLR, share best practices and offer advice to countries seeking to implement their own PLR scheme for the first time. Since the first PLR International conference in 1995, the number of countries with PLR systems has more than doubled. His tireless efforts have helped ensure that millions of writers around the world receive these much-needed payments.

For his extraordinary work in support of authors, Jim Parker was awarded both an Order of the British Empire honour, as well as the prestigious Royal Society of Literature Benson Medal.

ALCS CEO Barbara Hayes said: “Jim Parker was quite simply a legend within PLR circles worldwide. He believed passionately in authors being recognised and remunerated for the use of their work, and he devoted his professional life to turning that belief into reality – not just in the UK, but across the globe.

I had the great privilege of working closely with Jim during my time as Chair of the PLR International Steering Committee. Those years were some of the most rewarding of my professional life. Together, we travelled to many countries promoting PLR on behalf of authors – meeting policymakers, writers’ organisations and governments, often in places where the concept was new, sometimes contested, but always important. Jim was tireless in those efforts, and endlessly generous with his knowledge and experience. He understood that PLR was not an abstract policy mechanism, but something that mattered profoundly to individual writers and their livelihoods. He never lost sight of that.

Jim leaves an extraordinary legacy. PLR exists in more countries today because of his work, his diplomacy, and his unwavering belief in authors’ rights. Those of us who worked with him will remember not only what he achieved, but how he did it — with integrity, kindness, and conviction. He will be greatly missed, and warmly remembered, by the international PLR community he helped to build.”

Our thoughts are with Jim’s family and loved ones at this difficult time.

Watch Dr. Jim Parker discuss the founding of Public Lending Right in the UK with ALCS Honorary President Maureen Duffy.