Reviewing, publishers, and authors: a summary prepared on behalf of the Universal House of Justice
28 March 1971
(also published in Messages from the Universal House of Justice 1963-86)
The following principles and observations are called to the attention of National Spiritual Assemblies and all those concerned with the production of Bahá'í publications:
REVIEWING
Obligatory
At this early stage of the Cause all works by Bahá'ís which deal with the Faith, whether in the form of books, pamphlets, translations, poems, songs, radio and television scripts, films, recordings, etc. must be approved before submission for publication, whether to a Bahá'í or non-Bahá'í publisher. In the case of material for purely local consumption the competent authority is the Local Spiritual Assembly, otherwise the National Spiritual Assembly (through its Reviewing Committee) is the approving authority.
A Temporary Measure
That this measure is both obligatory and temporary is borne out by the following statements of the Guardian:
They must supervise in these days when the Cause is still in its infancy all Bahá'í publications and translations, and provide in general for a dignified and accurate presentation of all Bahá'í literature and its distribution to the general public.
("Principles of Bahá'í Administration", pp. 38-39)
...the administration of the Cause ... should guard against such rigidity as would clog and fetter the liberating forces released by His Revelation.... the present restrictions imposed on the publication of Bahá'í literature will be definitely abolished ....
('The World Order of Bahá'u'lláh", p. 9)
Purpose of Review
The purpose of review is to protect the Faith from misrepresentation and to ensure dignity and accuracy in its presentation. In general the function of a Reviewing Committee is to say whether the work submitted gives an acceptable presentation of the Cause or not. Reviewers may win the gratitude and good will of authors by calling attention to such things as occasional grammatical or spelling errors, but approval should not be refused on such grounds; all such details are editorial matters for agreement between author and publisher.
Translations
As regards English, the beloved Guardian's translations are obviously the most authentic and should be used. If, for some particular reason, a Bahá'í author when quoting a passage of the Sacred Text which has been rendered into English by the Guardian, wishes to use a translation other than that made by the beloved Guardian, his request may be referred to the Universal House of Justice. Passages from the Sacred Text not translated by Shoghi Effendi, but already in English and published with approval, may be used. If an author wishes to make his own translation of a passage not already translated by Shoghi Effendi, the new translation may be submitted to the Universal House of Justice for approval.
With the exception of certain oriental languages such as Turkish, Arabic and Urdu, which are related to the original Persian or Arabic, new translations of the Sacred Text into languages other than English must be made from the Guardian's English translation where it exists. When there is no translation into English by Shoghi Effendi of a particular passage, the National Spiritual Assembly concerned should seek the advice of the Universal House of Justice. When translations already exist, which are not made from the Guardian's English text, but have been published and approved, they may be used.
Reviewing Committees
It is recommended that Reviewing Committees be small, composed of two or three believers with adequate education and knowledge of the Cause. It is essential that works submitted be dealt with promptly. The standards to be upheld by reviewers are the following: (a) conformity with the Teachings, (b) accuracy, (c) dignity in presentation. The Spiritual Assembly, on the basis of its Reviewing Committee's report, gives or withholds approval of the work.
Approval of Works Already Reviewed Elsewhere
While a National Spiritual Assembly intending to publish Bahá'í literature is encouraged to accept the review of another National Spiritual Assembly, it is not required to do so and has the right to review any work prior to authorizing its publication or republication by its own Publishing Trust or publisher in its area of jurisdiction. This does not apply to works by Hands of the Cause, which are reviewed in the Holy Land.
A National Spiritual Assembly which receives for approval a manuscript from outside its area of jurisdiction should enquire whether it has already been submitted for review elsewhere, and in the case of its having been refused approval, the reasons for such refusal.
BAHÁ'Í PUBLISHERS
Bahá'í publishers may not publish any work about the Faith until it has been approved by the National Spiritual Assembly of the country where it is to be published.
Approval of a work imposes no obligation upon any Bahá'í publisher to publish it.
Whatever "house styles" Publishing Trusts and other Bahá'í publishers may adopt, transliteration of oriental terms into languages using the Roman alphabet must at present be according to the system chosen by the Guardian and described in volumes of "The Bahá'í World".
Cables
Cables in English should be printed exactly as received, without interpolation.
Editing
Bahá'í publishers, when accepting a work for publication, will make their own arrangements with the author on all such matters as accuracy of quotations, documentation, grammar and spelling, dates and even the re-writing of passages which the publisher may consider need improving, or he may ask the author to write additional material or to delete part of the original manuscript. Although such matters are entirely between the author and publisher, any addition, deletion or changes which affect the meaning must be submitted for review with the relative context.
Approval Notice
Although no Bahá'í work may be published without approval, it is not mandatory to print an approval notice in any publication.
BAHÁ'Í AUTHORS
Bahá'í authors should welcome review of their works, and can greatly assist promptness in review by supplying a sufficient number of copies of the manuscript for each member of the Reviewing Committee to have one.
Bahá'í authors may submit their works for review to any National Spiritual Assembly, and may send their works, once approved, to any publisher they like, Bahá'í or non-Bahá'í, at home or abroad. It should be remembered, however, that the approval should be given by the National Spiritual Assembly of the country where the work is to be first published. And in the case of a non-Bahá'í publisher the author should insist on use of the system of transliteration at present used by the Faith for languages employing the Roman alphabet.
It is hoped that Bahá'í authors will provide a constant stream of new works. Introductory books, commentaries, dissertations on various aspects of the Revelation, text books, histories, reviews, audio-visual material are all needed to stimulate study of the Faith and to promote the vital teaching work.
SALE AND DISTRIBUTION OF BAHÁ'Í LITERATURE
1. Bahá'í publications reviewed and published in one country may be sold or offered for sale anywhere in the world. This includes the right of the publisher or the author to promote the sale of the publication in any legitimate manner including the right to advise the Bahá'ís in any country of its contents, price and availability. It does not include the right to insist that National Assemblies, their Publishing Trusts or Publishing Committees stock, promote or advertise the publication or offer it for sale. If any National Spiritual Assembly feels that a book would be damaging to the Faith in its country, it may represent this fact to the publisher and author and ask them not to promote it in that particular country.
It is hoped that there will be great cooperation among those publishing Bahá'í literature, and Publishing Trusts are encouraged to supply to believers, the book trade and libraries, all Bahá'í publications from any country.
2. Believers should not be prevented from purchasing Bahá'í books reviewed and published in other countries.
3. National Spiritual Assemblies are not obliged to furnish mailing lists of believers to publishers, but publishers may compile their own mailing lists and use them for the announcement and promotion of sale of their Bahá'í books and literature.
4. Five copies of every new book and every new edition (not reprints) should be sent to the World Centre.
Introductory letter from the Bahá'í World Center Library (1998 version)
BAHÁ'Í WORLD CENTRE LIBRARY
1 July 1998
To all National Spiritual Assemblies,
Bahá'í Publishing Trusts, and
Associations for Bahá'í Studies
Dear Bahá'í Friends,
The International Bahá'í Library holds the principal depository collection of Bahá'í and Bahá'í related publications in the world, maintaining a permanent historical record of all your achievements in this field. Through the cooperation and generosity of all of you, the collection is kept up to date and is reflective of the increasing recognition being accorded the Faith and the vitality of your communities in their publishing endeavours. It is in this connection and on behalf of the Universal House of Justice that we remind you once again of the importance of keeping up with the need to deposit with the Library copies of materials published by you, or your committees and agencies. The list of materials being requested, which was sent to you on 7 March 1996, has now been revised and is enclosed. Please replace that earlier list with this revised version.
For works in languages other than Persian, Arabic and major European languages, please enclose in the package or with a separate cover letter an English translation of the title and, in the case of non-Roman alphabets, a transliteration into Roman letters of the following: the author's name, the title, the place of publication, the publisher, and the periodical numbering and date of issue. Transliteration is the process of putting into the Roman alphabet the equivalent of the original words. If the work is a translation or an adaptation of a work originally published in another language, please indicate this as well.
As more Bahá'í publications and audiovisual materials are produced by independent Bahá'í owned and non-Bahá'í publishing Firms, it is important that the World Centre Library become aware of, and acquire, these publications. The Library has agreements with major independent Bahá'í owned publishers, but needs to be aware of all the independently produced Bahá'í publications. National Spiritual Assemblies may send pertinent information on such independently produced materials to the World Centre Library so that the publications may be ordered by the Library, or the Assemblies may send copies to the World Centre, in which case the Library will reimburse all costs.
We also remind you that the Universal House of Justice wishes to receive copies of non-Bahá'í publications which contain significant mention of the Bahá'í Faith: books, pamphlets, theses or dissertations, magazine and journal articles, and newspaper stories. If it is not possible to send the original publication, please send a photocopy of the pertinent portion and of the title page of the work from which it is taken.
We ask that National Spiritual Assemblies inform all their national committees, offices and agencies of this letter and its enclosure. This is particularly important for National Teaching Committees, Bahá'í Education Committees, and those committees or agencies engaged in Bahá'í institute activities.
Your continued assistance in creating an effective International Bahá'í Library is deeply appreciated.
With loving Bahá'í greetings,
For the Bahá'í World Centre Library
Materials to be Deposited with the Bahá'í World Centre Library (1998 version)
Revised: March 1998
1. Monographs (books, booklets, pamphlets, leaflets)
1.1. 5 copies of each new publication
1.2. 5 copies of each new edition
1.3. 5 copies of reprints where the printing is done by a different publisher
1.4. 5 copies of "reprints' that contain corrections
1.5. 5 copies of reimpressions by the same publishing agency where there is no correction, change or revision.
If the number of copies printed is very small, you may reduce the number of copies sent to 2. By publication is meant not only typeset publications, but also mimeographed, photocopied and offset publications in those countries where these are important means for making literature available.
2. Audiovisual and publicity materials (cassette and reel tapes, sound discs, video cassettes, slide shows, filmstrips, motion pictures, posters, broadsides, postcards, greeting cards)
2.1. 2 copies of published audiovisual materials, except motion pictures
2.2. 1 copy of motion pictures (the Library can arrange to reimburse the producer for the cost)
2.3. 2 samples of all publicity and proclamation materials (posters, greeting cards, etc.)
3. Miscellaneous individual publications
3.1. 5 copies each of your annual reports, national convention reports and directories in the original language, as well as any translations you may choose to prepare
3.2. 2 copies of brochures/programmes relating to special events such as conferences, commemorations, institutes and schools
3.3. 2 copies of book sale catalogues, price lists and promotional brochures issued by your Assembly, Publishing Trust, Publishing Committee or Book Distribution Service
3.4. 2 copies of calendars
3.5. 2 copies of computer software diskettes (produced for sale)
3.6. 1 set of all correspondence courses produced
3.7. 2 sets of curriculum materials
3.8. 1 copy of each Braille publication
4. Newsletters, bulletins, periodicals
4.1. 5 copies of every issue of all bulletins, newsletters and periodicals published by you or your subordinate bodies for nationwide distribution (to be sent by airmail if possible)
4.2. All institutes within your jurisdiction are requested to send five copies of each issue of any newsletters or bulletins. If the newsletter is published in various language editions, five copies of each issue of each language edition should be sent. It would also greatly assist the World Centre if the date and number of each issue could be clearly shown in English on the cover of each issue.
5. Non-Bahá'í publications mentioning the Faith
5.1. Newspaper clippings/cuttings -- 1 copy of each clipping
Such clippings should conform to the following criteria:
5.1.1. They should be articles containing direct reference to the Faith or to Bahá'ís.
5.1.2. They should be from your country's major newspapers only, except where an article in a local newspaper is deemed highly significant; countries with infrequent newspaper publicity should send all articles.
5.1.3. Articles should be complete, including all continuations if the articles appeared on several pages or in several issues of the newspaper.
5.1.4. They should be sent as soon as possible after publication, as timeliness is important.
5.1.5. They should be completely identified, including the title of the newspaper, where they were published, and the date of publication; transliteration of the newspaper and article titles should be provided if they are in a non-Roman alphabet.
5.1.6. Original cuttings are preferred (or good quality photocopies if the original is not available, on plain white paper); kindly do not glue, staple or tape cuttings.
5.2. Magazines, journals, periodicals by non-Bahá'ís mentioning the Faith
1 copy of the entire issue. If this is not possible, a photocopy of the cover, the table of contents page and the pages containing the entire article in which the Faith is mentioned would be acceptable.
6. Books
6.1 1 copy of the entire book. If this is not possible, a photocopy of the title page, the publication data and the relevant pages where the Faith is mentioned would be acceptable.
Index
Annual report (5 copies) Section 3.1
Audiovisual materials (2 copies) Section 2
Book sale catalogues (2 copies) ' Section 3.3
Books
New publications (5 copies) - Section 1.1
New editions (5 copies) Section 1.2
Reprints by different publishers (5 copies) - Section 1.3
Reprints with corrections (5 copies) -- Section 1.4
Reimpressions without changes (5 copies) -- Section 1.5
Braille (1 copy) -- Section 3.8
Bulletins (3 copies of each issue) -- Section 4
Calendars (2 copies) Section 3.4
Cassette tapes (2 copies) -- Section 2.1
Commemorative observance programmes (2 copies) -- Section 3.2
Computer diskettes (2 copies) - Section 3.5
Conference programmes (2 copies) -- Section 3.2
Convention reports (5 copies) Section 3.1
Curriculum materials (2 sets) ' Section 3.7
Correspondence courses (1 copy) - Section 3.6
Directories (5 copies) Section 3.1
Diskettes (2 copies) Section 3 5
Filmstrips (2 copies) Section 2.1
Greeting cards (2 copies) Section 2.3
Institute programmes (2 copies) Section 3.2
Journals non-Bahá'í mentioning Faith (1 copy) Section 5.2
Magazines non-Bahá'í mentioning Faith (1 copy) Section 5.2
Motion pictures (1 copy) Section 2.2
Newsletters (5 copies of each issue) - Section 4
Newspaper cuttings (1 copy) - Section 5.1
Non-Bahá'í publications referring to the Faith (1 copy) - Section 5
Pamphlets
New publications (5 copies) -- Section 1.1
New editions (5 copies) - Section 1.2
Reprints by different publishers (5 copies) - Section 1.3
Reprints with corrections (5 copies) - Section 1.4
Reimpressions without changes (5 copies) Section 1.5
Periodicals - - Bahá'í (5 copies of each issue) Section 4
- - non-Bahá'í mentioning the Faith (1 copy) Section 5.2
Postcards (2 copies) Section 2.3
Posters (2 copies) Section 2.3
Price lists (2 copies) Section 3.3
Programmes (2 copies) Section 3.2
Record albums (2 copies) - Section 2.1
Reel tapes (2 copies) Section 2.1
School programmes (2 copies) ' Section 3.2
Slide shows (2 copies) Section 2.1
Sound discs (2 copies) Section 2.1
Video cassettes (2 copies) - Section 2.1
Introductory letter from the Bahá'í World Center Library (2000 version)
Bahá'í World Centre Library
12 September 2000
To all National Spiritual Assemblies, Regional Bahá'í Councils, Bahá'í Publishing Trusts and Associations for Bahá'í Studies
Dear Bahá'í Friends,
The International Bahá'í Library holds the principal depository collection of Bahá'í and Bahá'í-related publications in the world, maintaining a permanent historical record of all your achievements in this field. Through the co-operation and generosity of all of you, the collection is kept up-to-date and is reflective of the increasing recognition being accorded the Faith and the vitality of your communities in there publishing endeavours. It is in this connection and on behalf of the Universal House of Justice that we remind you once again of the importance of keeping up with the need to deposit with the Library copies of materials published by you, or your institute, committees and agencies. The list of materials being requested, which was sent to you on 1 July 1998, has now been revised and is enclosed. Please replace that earlier list with this revised version.
For works in languages other than Persian, Arabic and major European languages, please enclose in the package or with a separate cover letter an English translation of the title and, in the case of non-Roman alphabets, a transliteration into Roman letters of the following: the author's name, the title, the place of publication, the publisher, and where applicable the periodical numbering and date of issue. Transliteration is the process of putting into the Roman alphabet the equivalent of the original words. If the work is a translation or an adaptation of a work originally published in another language, please indicate this as well.
As more Bahá'í publications and audiovisual materials are produced by independent Bahá'í-owned and non-Bahá'í publishing firms, it is important that the Bahá'í World Centre Library become aware of, and acquire, these publications. The Library has agreements with major independent Bahá'í-owned publishers, but needs to be aware of all the independently produced Bahá'í publications. National Spiritual Assemblies may send pertinent information on such independently produced materials to the World Centre Library so that the publications may be ordered by the Library, or the Assemblies may send copies to the World Centre, in which case the Library will reimburse all costs.
We also remind you that the Universal House of Justice wishes to receive copies of non Bahá'í publications which contain significant mention of the Bahá'í Faith: books, pamphlets, theses or dissertations, magazine and journal articles, and newspaper stories. If it is not possible to send the original publication, please send a photocopy of the pertinent portion and of the title page of the work from which it is taken.
We ask that National Spiritual Assemblies inform all their national committees, offices and agencies of this letter and its enclosure. This is particularly important for National Teaching Committees, Bahá'í Education Committees, and training institutes.
We have noted a growing tendency for Bahá'í publishers (committees, institutes and the like) to address copies of their publications to specific institutions and Offices at the World Centre, other than the Library. While we appreciate the sentiment behind this tendency, please note that all publications received at the World Centre by any Office are forwarded to the Library for processing and distribution as required.
The receipt of newsletters, pamphlets, booklets, etc., by Offices other than the Library adds to the workload of those Offices, and can cause confusion about what has been received by whom. The Library maintains a few specific branch libraries and it is for this reason that we request five copies.
It would greatly help the World Centre if the required number of copies of all publications could be addressed directly to:
Bahá'í World Centre Library
P0. Box 155
31 001 Haifa
Israel
Your continued assistance in creating an effective International Bahá'í Library is deeply appreciated.
With loving Bahá'í greetings,
For the Bahá'í World Centre Library
Materials to be Deposited with the Bahá'í World Centre Library (2000 version)
Revised: June 2000
1. Monographs (books, booklets, pamphlets, leaflets)
1.1. 5 copies of each new publication
1.2. 5 copies of each new edition
1.3. 5 copies of reprints where the printing is done by a different publisher
1.4. 5 copies of reprints that contain corrections
1.5. 5 copies of reimpressions by the same publishing agency where there is no correction, change or revision
If the number of copies printed is very small, you may reduce the number of copies sent to 2. By publication is meant not only typeset publications, but also mimeographed, photocopied and offset publications in those countries where these are important means for making literature available.
2. Audiovisual and publicity materials (cassette and reel tapes, sound discs, compact discs, video cassettes, slide shows, filmstrips, motion pictures, posters, broadsides, postcards, greeting cards)
2.1. 2 copies of published audiovisual materials, except motion pictures
2.2. 1 copy of motion pictures (the Library can arrange to reimburse the producer for the cost)
2.3. 2 samples of all publicity and proclamation materials (posters, greeting cards, etc.)
3. Miscellaneous individual publications
3.1. 5 copies each of your annual reports, national convention reports and directories in the original language as well as any translations you may choose to prepare
3.2. 2 copies of brochures / programmes relating to special events such as conferences, commemorations and schools
3.3. 2 copies of book sale catalogues, price lists and promotional brochures issued by your Assembly, Publishing Trust, Publishing Committee or Book Distribution Service
3.4. 2 copies of calendars
3.5. 2 copies of computer software diskettes or CD-ROMs (produced for sale)
3.6. 1 set of all correspondence courses produced
3.7. 2 sets of curriculum materials
3.8. 1 copy of each Braille publication
4. Newsletters, bulletins, periodicals
4.1. 5 copies of every issue of all bulletins, newsletters and periodicals published by you or your subordinate bodies for nationwide distribution (to be sent by airmail if possible)
4.2. All institutes within your jurisdiction are requested to send three copies of each issue of any newsletter or bulletin. If the newsletter is published in various language editions, three copies of each issue of each language edition should be sent. It would also greatly assist the Bahá'í World Centre if the date and number of each issue could be clearly shown in English on the cover of each issue.
5. Non-Bahá'í publications mentioning the Faith
5.1.Newspaper clippings/cuttings - 1 copy of each clipping
Such clippings should conform to the following criteria:
5.1.1. They should be articles containing direct reference to the Faith or to Bahá'ís.
5.1.2. They should be from your country's major newspapers only, except where an article in a local newspaper is deemed highly significant; countries with infrequent newspaper publicity should send all articles.
5.1.3. Articles should be complete, including all continuations if the articles appeared on several pages or in several issues of the newspaper
5.1.4. They should be sent as soon as possible after publication, as timeliness is important.
5.1.5. They should be completely identified, including the title of the newspaper, where they were published, and the date of publication; transliteration of the newspaper and article titles should be provided if they are in a non-Roman alphabet.
5.1.6. Original cuttings are preferred (or good quality photocopies if the original is not available, on plain white paper); please do not glue, staple or tape cuttings.
5.2. Magazines, journals, periodicals by non-Bahá'ís mentioning the Faith
1 copy of the entire issue. If this is not possible, a photocopy of the cover, the table of contents page and the pages containing the entire article in which the Faith is mentioned would be acceptable.
5.3. Books
1 copy of the entire book. If this is not possible, a photocopy of the title page, the publication data and the relevant pages where the Faith is mentioned would be acceptable.
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