Only U.S. publishers who publish titles that are likely to be widely acquired by U.S. libraries are eligible to
participate in the CIP Program.
Every publisher/imprint must have already published a minimum of three titles by three different authors. All
three titles must have been acquired by at least 1,000 U.S. libraries, either in print or e-book format. CIP
Program staff search in WorldCat to determine how many libraries hold a copy of the titles.
Publishing houses with multiple imprints should request a CIP Upgrade in PrePub Book Link for each imprint, once the
imprint has met the eligibility requirements mentioned above.
The following publishers, self-publishers, and authors are ineligible for the CIP Program. However, you
may be eligible for the sister program; the Preassigned Control Number (PCN)
Program.
Book vendors, distributors, printers, production houses and other intermediaries are ineligible.
Publishers who have published the works of fewer than three different authors are ineligible for the CIP
Program.
Authors and editors who pay for or subsidize publication of their own works are ineligible for the CIP
Program.
Fee-for-service publishers are ineligible for the CIP Program.
Participating publishers are obligated to send a print copy of all books for which CIP data was provided
immediately upon publication. These books are subject to claiming. Publishers failing to meet this obligation
may be suspended from the program. All books and materials sent to the Library of Congress are
nonreturnable.
