The Short Title of this Act is “The General Assembly Library Act, 1903.”

The publisher of every book first published in New Zealand, or republished in New Zealand, shall, not later than one month after the publication, deliver or cause to be delivered, at his own expense, two copies of the book to the Librarian or other officer of the General Assembly Library at Wellington, who shall give a receipt in writing for the same.

The copies so delivered shall be copies of the whole book, with all maps and illustrations belonging thereto, finished and coloured in the same manner as the best copies of the book are published, and shall be bound, sewed, or stitched together, and on the best paper on which the book is printed.

Every publisher who fails to comply with this section is liable to a fine not exceeding five pounds and the value of the book, and such fine shall be paid to the credit of the official account of the General Assembly Library.

For the purposes of this Act “book” includes every volume of letterpress, part or division of a volume, pamphlet, maps, charts, or plans published collectively, but does not include any second or subsequent edition of any book, unless there is any addition or alteration either to the letterpress or in the maps or illustrations belonging thereto.