LCCNs for Self-Publishers
If you’re thinking about publishing a book, you may have heard of something called a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN). But what is it? And if you’re self-publishing, do you need one?
In this post, we’ll go over why LCCNs are important and how they work within the publishing industry. We’ll look at what kind of publishers and books are eligible for LCCNs. And we’ll share insider tips on setting up your account, requesting your LCCN, and taking important follow-up steps.
Topics Covered in “LCCNs for Self-Publishers”
What’s an LCCN and Why Does It Matter?
Your LCCN is your book’s unique ID in the Library of Congress catalog. This number helps librarians and retailers find and track their books.
Authors and publishers can apply for this number before a book is published. It’s especially useful for titles that might be added to the Library of Congress collections. Once the number is assigned, the publisher can include it on the copyright page so librarians and booksellers can easily catalog or process the book. With an LCCN, your book is seamlessly connected to library and vendor systems everywhere.
Am I Eligible for an LCCN?
You are eligible to apply for an LCCN if you and your book meet the following criteria:
- You must maintain a U.S. address.
- You must list a U.S. city of publication on your book’s title or copyright page.
- You must publish your book in a print format (books released only as ebooks are not eligible)
- You or your book are not included in this list of ineligible books
However, being eligible for the LCCN application process and being accepted into the Library of Congress catalog are two different things. Anyone who meets the qualifications can apply. However, the decision to include a book in the Library’s permanent catalog is made by librarians based on specific selection criteria.
Independent authors should also be aware of the following information from the Library of Congress (our addition in brackets):
“A brief bibliographic record is created for all books submitted through the PCN Program. The records of titles published by authors and vanity presses are usually suppressed from the online catalog, however. If the book is selected [by librarians] to be added to the Library of Congress’ collections, the brief record will be unsuppressed and fully cataloged.”
To learn more, consult the Library of Congress’s FAQ page.
How Do I Request an LCCN?
Now that you have an account, it’s time to officially request your LCCN. Here are some tips on successfully navigating the LCCN application process without losing your work.
Before You Begin
To navigate between the different screens of the application, use the “Previous Section” and “Next Section” buttons at the bottom of each screen. (Do not use your browser’s “back” button or you may lose data!)
Make sure all information you provide exactly matches whatever is listed in your book and your ISBN records.
Understand that the number you’ll receive is technically called a PCN: a Preassigned Control Number. This number is provided for unpublished books so that authors and publishers can include it in their books on publication. After you complete a few additional requirements (see “What Happens Next?” below), the PCN will be converted to an active LCCN for your continued use.
Creating Your Account
Before you can request your LCCN, you’ll need to create an account with PrePub Book Link (PPBL), the online system used by the Library of Congress to process LCCN requests and assignments. Just visit the PrePub Book Link page and follow the prompts. Here are a few helpful tips to keep in mind:
Be ready with a long password! The minimum is 16 characters.
Once your account has been created, you will automatically be taken to the home page. Click “Profile” (look for your initials in the upper right corner and complete the rest of the contact information.
After completing your account setup, you’ll receive an email confirming your enrollment.
General Information
In this section, you’ll be asked for your approximate page number. It’s OK if this is not exact, but be as accurate as possible.
Same with your projected publication date—make your best guess.
Contributor Information
During this section, you’ll list your own name as Author, but you can also list additional contributors. (You don’t have to list everyone involved in your book, but many authors like to list their illustrator where applicable.)
Title Page Information
On the “title page information” screen, skip the form by uploading your title or copyright page. The system will automatically pull the appropriate information. (Make sure there’s no colon between your title and subtitle!)
If you’re publishing the first edition of your book, leave the edition number field blank.
As a self-published author, you’ll want to enter your true first and last name—not your imprint—under “publisher name.”
The Title Page Contributors should already be populated from the previous screen, but check it over for accuracy and update or correct the information as needed.
Series & Volume Information
In this section, select the format or formats that match your book. (Remember, ebooks are not eligible for LCCNs unless they are published alongside a paperback format.)
During this section, you’ll see the question “Will the book also be published in electronic format?” This refers to the ebook edition of your book. If you’re also publishing an ebook, enter the ebook ISBN when prompted.
Additional Info & Summary Section
Before you copy and paste the summary of your book, make sure it is text only. (Summaries containing emojis, arrows, checkboxes, or other symbols will not be accepted.)
You are not required to provide anything in the “additional info” section, but if you wish to include anything else about your book’s genre/subject or content, this is the place.
What Happens Next?
When it comes to self-publishing, a lot happens immediately—obtaining your ISBNs, for example—but the LCCN takes time. Be patient!
After you click “submit,” you’ll receive a confirmation email letting you know that your request is being processed.
After processing your application, the Library of Congress will send you an email with your LCCN. (In our experience, this can take up to two weeks and sometimes even longer. Plan accordingly as you time out your publishing steps.) In the meantime, you can monitor your application’s status by clicking the “My Requests” link on the homepage.
Add Your LCCN to Your Copyright Page
Once you’ve received your number, you’ll need to add it to your copyright page. Typically, this means sending the information to your book designer so they can update the page.
Whoever is in charge of creating your book’s interior and adjusting your copyright page, be sure they include the exact wording from the Library of Congress email confirming your LCCN.
Send a Copy to the Library of Congress
Just adding your LCCN to your copyright page isn’t the end of the process. There’s one more important step: submitting a physical copy of your book.
Here’s what the Library of Congress’s FAQ has to say:
“There is no charge for a Preassigned Control Number (PCN). However, all PCN participants are obligated to send a copy of all books for which a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN) was provided immediately upon publication. PCN Participants failing to meet this obligation may be suspended from the program.”
To fulfill this requirement, immediately after you’ve published your book, you will need to send a copy to the following address:
Library of Congress
US Programs, Law, and Literature Division
Cataloging in Publication Program
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington, DC 20540-4283
If you need to update any information in your LCCN listing, log in to your PCN account and submit a “Change Request.”
Stay Informed
This post only touches on the intricacies of how LCCNs are processed, assigned, and utilized. If you have questions or concerns about the LCCN program, the Library of Congress offers several helpful resources. (The most comprehensive is the Author/Self-Publisher Guide to PPBL.)
And of course, if you have any questions about your PPBL account or the LCCN application process, contact the Library of Congress.
Publish with Spoonbridge Press
When you publish with Spoonbridge Press, we provide a step-by-step guide to requesting your LCCN—but that’s not all. We also offer guidance on copyright registrations, assist with decisions regarding trim size and list price, and help to simplify all the other important publishing tasks you’ll face as an independent author.
If you’d like to speak to our lead editor about your publishing plans, we offer free consultations with no strings attached. Just click the button below to schedule some time to chat about your book, your goals, and whether self-publishing is right for you.
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