Austrian publishing houses can apply for publishing support in the framework of the government’s support for the arts. The publishing-house commission decides on proposals for the grant. Above and beyond this, printing cost supplements and translation subsidies can be applied for in the framework of the book supports. In 2019, about 50 publishing houses were supported with a total of EUR 2.6 million.
The Federal Law on Fixed Book Prices was implemented in 2000. It refers to publishing, import and trade of books, and since 2014 also applies to E-books and online-trading. This law was important to ensure that small publishing houses, booksellers, distribution firms, etcetera – which play a crucial role to maintain media diversity – can still compete with major publishing and distribution firms / enterprises.
Generally, local government offices are responsible for libraries. On top of that, the government subsidises public libraries under the Federal Law on the Promotion of Adult Education and Public Libraries from federal funds (1973). Responsible at government level is the Arts and Culture Division of the BMKOES. The library support amounts to 500 000 EUR per year and is linked to the implementation of funding guidelines including target values, the compliance to which is monitored by the Austrian Association of Libraries.
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