Norway’s Book Policy Continues to Support Writers, Publishers Decades After Launch

Norway’s Book Policy Continues to Support Writers, Publishers Decades After Launch

Norway is drawing renewed international attention for a long-standing cultural policy that has helped sustain its literary industry for more than six decades.

Since 1965, the Norwegian government, through Arts Council Norway, has operated a book acquisition programme known as “Innkjøpsordningen”, under which the government purchases copies of qualifying newly published books and distributes them to public libraries across the country.

Under the scheme, approximately 1,000 copies of eligible adult titles are purchased for library distribution, while children’s books can receive acquisitions of up to 1,550 copies. Authors also receive royalties for every copy acquired, often at rates considered more favourable than standard publishing contracts.

The initiative was introduced to strengthen Norwegian literature, support authors and publishers, and ensure that readers across the country have access to a wide range of literary works regardless of commercial success.

Literary experts say the programme has played a significant role in sustaining small and independent publishing houses, many of which might otherwise struggle to survive in a competitive market.

In addition to the acquisition scheme, books in Norway are exempt from value-added tax (VAT), a policy designed to make reading materials more affordable and encourage literacy and cultural participation.

The Nordic nation consistently ranks among countries with high literacy levels and strong public engagement with literature, a success many observers attribute in part to sustained government investment in books, libraries and reading culture.

Supporters of the policy argue that literature serves a broader social and cultural purpose and should not be judged solely by market forces. By guaranteeing library purchases of qualifying titles, the programme provides authors with financial support while ensuring their works reach readers nationwide.

The Norwegian model is often cited internationally as an example of how public policy can be used to promote reading, preserve cultural heritage and support creative industries.

More than 60 years after its introduction, the Innkjøpsordningen programme remains one of the most distinctive literary support systems in the world, reflecting Norway’s belief that access to books and the development of literature are public goods worthy of national investment.

Norway’s Book Policy Continues to Support Writers, Publishers Decades After Launch