| Business |
Publishing hiccups
in PNG
Book use increases with attractive
books with good content. Planning and coordination among
agencies and enterprises is needed. Funding is crucial, and as
PNG's buying power declines, funding must come from donors
(1997).
Over the years Australia has provided publishing assistance to
the Department of Education; the 5-year PNG/Australia Basic
Education Infrastructure and Curriculum Materials Pilot Program
is just one of many such programmes.
Although Australia's South Pacific Cultures Fund no longer
exists (it once supported small publishing projects throughout
the islands), its embassies have discretionary funds to support
cultural projects. Recently about half of New Zealand's aid to
Papua New Guinea has been devoted to education and has included
a school journals project that supports core textbooks and
trains writers, illustrators, and production workers. The German
Technical Agency has funded publications on forestry and
logging.
Publishing in Papua New Guinea is difficult to sustain because
of limited literacy and spending power. Artistic and literary
work, especially poetry, does not have an easy market anywhere
in the world. As noted above, book use increases with attractive
books, but quality publications depend upon good paper, ink, and
equipment. According to a recent survey conducted by Daniel
Paraide, customs duties on machinery were 7.5%, on ink and
plates 25%, on paper 27.5%, and on film and photographic
equipment 50% (1999). These rates severely inhibit book
development.
Publishers of books often distribute their own books, but they
need assistance with enlarging distribution networks, whether
through sales or library circulation. Co-publishing with other
agencies shares the costs yet heightens awareness of the
products. Individuals should take advantage of working with
different publishing houses, to spread their art and writing to
new and different audiences. For example, Sir Paulias Matane has
published with Cassowary Press, Niugini Press, Dellasta Pacific,
Longman, Oxford University Press, Trinity Press, Kristen Pres,
UBSPD, and Gaku Seisha Showa. It is also helpful to have
co-publication, in country and overseas, not only to spread the
name of an author but also to spread the name of the publishing
house.
Legal deposit preserves artistic, intellectual, literary, and
musical works for future generations; expands information and
fosters more research about the country; and facilitates access
to such information. Legal deposit, a statutory provision of the
National Library and Archives Act 1993, requires that publishers
(and some others) give two copies of their publication(s) to the
National Library of Papua New Guinea, prior to its public
release and at the expense of the depositor. Legal deposit
includes publishers within the country, importers of books with
substantial PNG content, citizens writing from outside the
country, and administrative heads of government agencies that
publish (NLSPNG nd). Those who can afford to do so might also
lodge a copy at the nearest public library or reading room.
Books need to be easy to view. Public libraries rarely receive
the attention they deserve, given their role in perpetuating
literacy beyond schools. Greater funding and training are
necessary to sustain a reading culture. Mobile libraries take
books to readers instead of waiting for readers to visit
buildings, and they are economical means of spreading books
beyond urban areas. Bookshops, or shops that sell books as well
as other things, are needed throughout the country. Customers
should be able to pick up books and to thumb through them. Book
stalls in local markets reach individuals who might not visit
libraries or bookshops. Book Week or Literacy Week, with
activities to focus attention on reading, writing, illustrating,
printing, and publishing, can be an annual national affair
and/or provinces, towns, or schools can schedule more frequent
and local events. Book clubs share reading beyond and across
church, school, and professional boundaries and subjects.
Papua New Guinea has a wealth of books that have been published
within its borders. Many of these might be reprinted for current
audiences. Hopefully, sharing books will also encourage new
publications in a country that never ceases to change and to
inspire reading and writing.
Linda Crowl is finishing her PhD
dissertation on book publishing in the PacificIslands, with the
supervision of Professor Edward Wolfers and Dr Charles Hawksley
at the University of Wollongong. She has recently published
papers on womens writing and publishing and on publishing
possibilities for literacy.
 
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