Details of the new deposit system regulations from the King Fahd National Library
In a regulatory step aimed at governing and protecting Saudi intellectual output, the King Fahd National Library the draft executive regulations for the deposit system through the "Istilaa" platform. This initiative seeks to establish a comprehensive legal and regulatory framework that keeps pace with rapid digital and knowledge transformations and ensures the preservation of the national heritage in its various informational formats.
Historical context and the role of the library in preserving heritage
The King Fahd National Library is the institutional memory of the Kingdom of Saudi Arabia, undertaking vital tasks since its establishment, namely collecting, organizing, and documenting the nation's intellectual output. The legal deposit system is a cornerstone of national libraries worldwide, ensuring that the library receives copies of everything published within the country, thus granting future generations and researchers access to this cultural and scientific heritage. The new regulations aim to modernize existing mechanisms to align with the digital age and the proliferation of publishing media.
Regulation details: Comprehensiveness in terms of resources and definition of responsibilities
The draft regulations clarified that the deposit system encompasses a wide range of literary, scientific, and artistic works, provided they are prepared for publication and distribution. This includes not only books and printed materials, but also digital content, audio-visual works such as films and audiobooks, maps, plans, and even computer software. The regulations also confirmed that their provisions apply to works published within the Kingdom, as well as those published abroad by Saudis or Saudi entities.
The regulations established a clear chain of responsibility for depositing manuscripts, beginning with the author in cases of self-publishing, then the printer, the producer, and finally the publisher. Universities and institutes were also required to deposit theses and dissertations after their approval, thus reinforcing the library's position as a comprehensive academic resource.
Registration procedures and deadlines
The new regulations stipulate that works must be registered before printing or publishing, using an approved form, to ensure they receive an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) and that their metadata is properly documented. Regarding deadlines, the regulations set a 40-day for submitting works after the registration card is issued, with the possibility of a one-time extension of ten days. Newspapers and magazines, however, must be submitted on their publication date to ensure timely documentation.
Exceptions and expected impact
To ensure a focus on content of intellectual and cultural value, the regulations exempted a range of materials from the deposit requirement, including commercial advertisements, invitation and greeting cards, commercial contracts, securities, and confidential government publications. This precise definition helps direct library resources toward preserving materials that genuinely contribute to the national heritage.
The implementation of this regulation is expected to contribute to strengthening the intellectual property rights of Saudi authors and publishers, and to facilitate the tasks of researchers by providing a reliable and comprehensive national database, thus supporting the cultural and scientific movement that the Kingdom is witnessing within the framework of Vision 2030.
