Cataloging in Publication Program

Before you publish your book in Canada, make sure to check out Cataloguing in Publication Program (CIP). ( For those publishing in the states, see below. )

This is voluntary program of cooperation between publishers and libraries. It enables the cataloguing of books BEFORE they are published, and the prompt distribution of this cataloging information to booksellers and libraries. The Canadian CIP program is coordinated by Library and Archives Canada.

They will send you a CIP description and text that should be placed on your copyright page. The one I received looks like this:

Library and Archives Canada Cataloguing in Publication 

Hedley, Donna L., 1956- 
        Strategies for happiness : how to achieve your happiness potential / 
Donna L. Hedley. 

Includes bibliographical references. 
ISBN 978-0-9811504-0-6 

        1. Happiness.  2. Self-actualization (Psychology).  I. Title. 

BF575.H27H44 2009                      152.4'2                      C2009-903898-6 

Click here to see what my copyright page looks like.

In addition to the CIP, there is the New Books Service. This is an enhancement to the Cataloguing in Publication (CIP) program that assists publishers in promoting their latest titles, and helps readers to discover them. All you need to do is to complete the New Books portion of the CIP form, and they will create a record of each of your new releases featuring the graphics and promotional text you provide, along with the traditional authoritative Cataloguing in Publication data.

The website is located at http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/cip/index-e.html .

In order to register, you go to http://www.collectionscanada.gc.ca/cip/s15-1007-e.html and fill out the form.

Aside from the basic contact and publication information, such as publisher name and date of publication, be prepared with the following items:

1. Copy of title page;


2. Author(s), editor(s), illustrator(s), translator(s) names and functions as they will appear on the title page;


3. Full name, date of birth and nationality of author(s), editor(s), illustrator(s), translator(s) like in the following example;
   
   
   Smith, John, 1960-04-21, Canadian
   
   Smith, Jane, 1960-04-21, American
   



4. Any bibliography or bibliographic references the book may contain;


5. A summary of what is the book about;


6. A copy of Introduction;


7. A copy of Preface, if any;


8. A copy of Table of Content;


9. A copy of cover image;


10. A copy of a sample chapter;


11. Information about the author;


12. Information about the illustrator;


13. Any reviews, if any;


14. Any awards, if any; and


15. Any information about reading, if any.

When it came to sending a copy of sections of the book, I could not see anywhere where is specified what format to send, so I sent a pdf.

The site indicates it will take about 10 days, but I found that they are over whelmed with publications, so don't be surprised if it takes longer. Contact the office to make sure they received your application, and how long it may take. Every few weeks you may need to call back to prompt.

The first time I called was to confirm they got the application. I was told they were backlogged and to call back 2 weeks later. I was out of the country, so I actually called 3 weeks later. I was told it was still not ready. When I indicated I needed it because I was sending something out, she said she would get it to me by the end of the week, which she did.

I was not able to put the CIP in my first order of books, but I will be putting it in the next for sure.

Request for Library of Congress Preassigned Control Number

If you are publishing from the US, you need to contact the Library of Congress to get a card number. This will also need to appear on your copyright page.

It is a great way for possible customers to find you book without having to pay a search fee. There are a lot of libraries that use this number, and require it if they are going to stock your book. Here is the contact information for the program:

Library of Congress
Cataloging in Publication Division
101 Independence Avenue SE
Washington, DC 20540-4320
Phone: 202-707-5000
Web: http://pcn.loc.gov/pcn/pcn001.html
Another program is the Cataloging in Publications Program, which is only applicable to publishing companies, so you may want to see about setting up your own company. If not, you can contact an organization called Quality Books at 800-323-4241. They will set up in something called Publisher’s Cataloging in Publication (PCIP)

By the way, if want a great book to help you through the whole publishing process, check out The Complete Guide to Self-Publishing by Tom and Marilyn Ross.