CIP

A Cataloging in Publication record (aka CIP data) is a bibliographic record prepared by the Library of Congress for a book that has not yet been published. When the book is published, the publisher includes the CIP data on the copyright page thereby facilitating book processing for libraries and book dealers. Publishers who have published the works of fewer than three different authors are ineligible. Self-publishers (i.e. authors and editors who pay for or subsidize publication of their own works; who often do not publish the works of more than three different authors; and whose works are rarely widely acquired by the nation’s libraries) are ineligible. Publishers ineligible for the CIP program may be eligible for the Preassigned Control Number Program (PCN). Source: http://cip.loc.gov/

PCIP

Publishers Cataloging In Publication data is a CIP block prepared by the publisher. It contains the same information as one created by the Library of Congress, but is created by a friendly librarian or paid CIP creation service. It is not recommended that you try to create this data yourself by looking at similar titles. You’ll need a PCN in order to get a complete PCIP block. Examples of a PCIP block

PCN (aka EPCN)

A Library of Congress catalog card number (LCCN) is a unique identification number that the Library of Congress assigns to the catalog record created for each book in its cataloged collections. Librarians use it to locate a specific Library of Congress catalog record in the national databases and to order catalog cards from the Library of Congress or from commercial suppliers. The Library of Congress assigns this number while the book is being cataloged. Under certain circumstances, however, a card number can be assigned before the book is published through the Preassigned Card Number Program. Only U.S. book publishers are eligible to participate in the PCN program. These publishers must list a U.S. place of publication on the title page or copyright page of their books and maintain an editorial office in the U.S. capable of answering substantive bibliographic questions.

Source: http://pcn.loc.gov/

See also: PCN Eligigibly Requirements and the PCN Frequently Asked Questions

The Gist

The Library of Congress (LOC) has two programs it uses to catalog forthcoming books most likely to be widely acquired by U.S. libraries. Widely is the operative word there–if your book is of limited interest to most libraries, aquiring a PCN is of limited value. The CIP program is for large publishers. The LOC assigns an LCCN and generates a CIP block which is printed on the copyright page. (It’s that big block of numbers and short sentences that looks like a card catalog from your grade school days.) A PCIP costs money but will make it more likely that a library order your book (as books lacking any CIP data require the library to create it in order to shelve the book). The EPCN program was created to serve self/independent publishers by pre-assigning them a LCCN (or Pre-Assinged Control Number: PCN). This number is printed on the copyright page (to enable Libraries to look the book up), but the CIP data is not. Both the CIP and EPCN programs require the publisher to submit free copies of the book for the LOC collection.

The Bottom Line

• Most self-published books don’t qualify for the CIP program.
• Whether you apply for a PCN or not is up to you as the self-publisher/author.
• There’s little cost (a few books and shipping) to apply for a PCN.
• Paying to have a PCIP created will cost around $50-$100.
• Even without a PCN or PCIP, libraries may still order your book if they really want it, but it’s unlikely.
• Most libraries will gladly accept a book donation regardless of whether it has a CIP or PCN. Whether they shelve it or sell it is another matter entirely.