The following items are considered "industry-standard" for marketing and cataloging your work, and should be considered before processing your manuscript, promotional material and artwork, and in the case of copyright, are important in the protection of the author's intellectual property rights:

• ISBN (should be included inside the book and required with an outside bar code by many, if not most, retailers)
• Copyright (for YOUR protection)
• LCCN (for ease of cataloging - may influence libraries to purchase)

An information summary has been accumulated below, but please go to each agency web site at the designated links for the latest procedures and requirements BEFORE you finalize your book manuscript.

ISBN

All publications should include an International Standard Book Number (ISBN), a 10-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products published internationally. The purpose of the ISBN is to establish and identify one title or edition of a title from one specific publisher and is unique to that edition, allowing for more efficient marketing of products by booksellers and distributors. Each published format of the same text, e.g., electronic, softcover, and hardcover must have a separate ISBN. 

Publishers may apply and receive their own block of ISBN numbers directly from R. R. Bowker, the US agency for ISBNs. The current fee for ISBN's is:

• Registration establishes a public record of the copyright claim.
• Before an infringement suit may be filed in court, registration is necessary for works of U. S. origin.
• If made before or within 5 years of publication, registration will establish prima facie evidence in court of the validity of the copyright and of the facts stated in the certificate.
• If registration is made within 3 months after publication of the work or prior to an infringement of the work, statutory damages and attorney's fees will be available to the copyright owner in court actions. Otherwise, only an award of actual damages and profits is available to the copyright owner.
• Registration allows the owner of the copyright to record the registration with the U. S. Customs Service for protection against the importation of infringing copies. For additional information, request Publication No. 563 "How to Protect Your Intellectual Property Right," from: U.S. Customs Service, P.O. Box 7404, Washington, D.C. 20044. See the U.S. Customs Service Website at www.customs.gov for online publications."

See Circular 1, section Copyright Registration and Circular 38b on non-U.S. works.

Authors may apply for and receive copyright registrations directly with the Library of Congress Copyright Office.  There is a nominal charge (currently $30.00) and a requirement to submit copies to the Library of Congress. Instructions for application can be found on the Copyright Office web site.

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Library of Congress Catalog Control Number

The Library of Congress Catalog Control Number (sometimes described as the "Library of Congress Card Number" from years ago when they actually relied upon cards) is used by the Library of Congress to catalog each book carried in the Library and widely distributed to other libraries. 

The purpose of the LCCN is to facilitate access to the bibliographic record and thereby expedite book processing by the libraries and book dealers who obtain copies of the book. Participating publishers submit basic information about the book and the Library of Congress assigns a LCCN for publishing in the book. In order to qualify for a LCCN your forthcoming book must be at least 50 pages in length, unless the book is genealogy-related or the book's intended audience is children or young adults.

LCCN's are acquired through either the Preassigned Control Number (PCN) or the Cataloging in Publication (CIP) program. The LCCN process is an entirely separate Library of Congress department and process from the Copyright program.

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Preassigned Control Number (PCN)

A PCN is a LCCN that has been preassigned to the bibliographic record for a book before publication so that the publisher can print the number in the book. You can apply if you are a publisher, e.g., set yourself up with ISBN's, company legal entity, etc.

The PCN program assigns a Library of Congress Control Number (aka Library of Congress Card Number) to titles most likely to be acquired by the Library of Congress as well as some other categories of books. The publisher prints the control number in the book and thereby facilitates cataloging and other book processing activities for libraries and book sellers who obtain copies of the book. An initial bibliographic record is also created for many of these works when the number is assigned. This bibliographic record is not distributed and is not printed in the book. This program requires a copy of the book be provided the Library of Congress after publication but is otherwise free. Self-published books may qualify for PCN assignment if otherwise eligible, e.g., you are approved as a publisher. Check with the Library of Congress for the current process and requirements. 

Click HERE to go to the Library of Congress PCN application web page.

Library of Congress Cataloging in Publication (CIP) Program

The CIP program and PCN program are mutually exclusive. Titles processed in one program are not processed in the other program. If you have set yourself up as a publisher and are interested, you most likely can be considered for the PCN program.

Again, a LCCN is not required, but like ISBN's, enhances the possibility of commercial success and is essential if you intend to have any library catalog your work. You may want to discuss this with your publisher prior to printing your book. (Yes, I realize this may require talking to yourself, but what's new?)

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