The Library of Congress Control Number Application Process for Authors
Many authors want to know how to get their book into the Library of Congress.
People have heard of a Library of Congress number but no one really knows how to get one, what this entails, or if it’s really necessary to self-publish.
So what is a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN)? Do you need a LCCN? And if so, how do you get one?
What is a Library of Congress Number?
A Library of Congress Control Number is a unique identification assigned to a book by the Library of Congress, along with a record for the book in its collections.
The number includes a year and a serial number and is printed on the copyright pages of books.
Here is an example of an LCCN:
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019901234
As the LoC explains, “The LCCN facilitates access to the bibliographic record for that book and thereby expedites book processing by libraries and book dealers who obtain copies of the book.”
In other words, librarians use the LCCN to access data that they can use to catalog your book.
Do I need a Library of Congress Control Number for a self-published book?
No. It just allows the Library of Congress to catalog your book and makes it easier for other libraries to catalog your book (in a similar fashion). And it enables the Library of Congress to add your book to its collections.
“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 to be added to the Library of Congress’ collections, the brief record will be unsuppressed and fully cataloged.”
There has been a roughly 60 percent acceptance rate—with preference given to books on American history, genealogy, and culture, broadly defined.
“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 to be added to the Library of Congress’ collections, the brief record will be unsuppressed and fully cataloged.”
So even if your book is rejected, it can, in theory, be added in the future.
Libraries will still be able to catalog your book whether or not the Library of Congress selects it for their collections.
In other words, it may be worth pursuing, but it is not a requirement.
Who is eligible for a PCN number?
Only US book publishers are eligible to participate in the PCN Program.
You “must list a US place of publication on the title page or copyright page” of your book.
You “must maintain an editorial office in the US capable of answering substantive bibliographic questions.”
You “must have a US phone number that can be easily reached to answer any bibliographic questions.”
“All forthcoming monographs that will be published in the United States” and that are not included in the list of categories that are eligible for the PCN program are eligible. For example,
Books published only as ebooks are ineligible.
You must have an ISBN for each print book format (which you must purchase from Bowker Publishing Services). (Click here to learn more about ISBNs.)
An ISBN is assigned to each individual format or edition of a book, but the Library of Congress number is assigned to all formats and editions of the work itself.
Audiobooks and ebooks are not eligible, but you can link non-print formats to your print book(s), assuming each has its own Bowker-purchased ISBN. All formats of your book will have the same LCCN.
Books that haven’t already been published are eligible. You must apply before the publication date—and it can’t be done during the same month. Plan on registering a few weeks in advance of publication.
How to Get a Library of Congress Number
Traditional publishers and hybrid publishers apply for a Library of Congress Control Number using PrePub Book Link. The application is reviewed and usually within 10 days, the LCCN is assigned and the book receives an entry in the catalog that is later updated by LOC staff.
Self-published authors apply using PrePub Book Link. I’ll walk you through the steps in just a little while.
As indie fiction author Joey Durso explains, the process is a little different. As a self-published author, you’re actually applying for “a PCN, or Preassigned Control Number. This is a control number that’s been “preassigned” to a given book before its actual publication.”
That number must then be printed on the back of the title page or on the copyright page of the book.
Even if a number is pre-assigned to the book, the book may not be kept in the Library of Congress’ permanent collection.
When your book is published, you must mail it in to the Library of Congress, and if your book is selected by staff, the PCN becomes the LCCN.
Again, unless you’re a self-published author, your publisher will do what’s required to get an LCCN for your book.
If you are a self-published author, below are the steps you need to follow.
There is no fee to apply. Your only cost is the cost of one copy of the book and shipping to Washington, DC.
To apply for a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN), follow this step-by-step process:
#1. Purchase your ISBN from Bowker Publishing Services.
You must have an ISBN that you purchased directly from Bowker.
ISBNs received from Amazon, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, or Draft2Digital are ineligible.
Each format of your book needs an ISBN.
#2. Apply through PrePub Book Link.
Once you’ve purchased an ISBN through Bowker, you will need to create an account and apply for a Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN)—actually a Preassigned Control Number (PCN)—through PrePub Book Link.
➡️Download the Pub Book Link Author/Self Publisher User Guide
You’ll be prompted to set up a profile page with your name, language, time zone, email, and phone number. Not all of that information is required, but it makes it easier for the Library of Congress to contact you if there are any questions about your application.
#3. Submit your request and enter the information about your book.
You will need to have this information handy. Much of it will be the same as what you provided when you assigned your ISBN to your book.
There are six sections in the application:
General Information; Contributor Information; Title Page; Series & Volume Info; Additional Info & Summary; Confirm & Submit.
1. General Information
The intended audience for the book
If it’s for children and young adults, the age and grade levels (optional)
The approximate number of pages
Primary language of the book: “Books must be in English, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, and/or Spanish.”
The projected publication month and year:
2. Contributor Information
The author name and any individual contributors to the book will be included in this section. Enter the fullest form of the author’s name (and any co-authors, etc.).
Birth dates (optional)
Other optional information can be entered. Leave it blank.
3. Title Page
Title
Publisher Name (as listed on the title or copyright page and as provided when assigning the ISBN in Bowker)
US city of publication (as listed on the title or copyright page and as provided when assigning the ISBN in Bowker)
Subtitle (if applicable)
Edition (if applicable)
4. Series & Volume Info
Series title (if applicable)
Volume information (if applicable)
ISBNs (enter ISBNs for each format)
Will the book also be published in electronic format?: Answer Yes or No and select the format, if applicable.
5. Additional Info & Summary
Book Summary (optional; in English)
Additional Info (optional): Enter “any information you think may be useful in the cataloging process.”
6. Confirm & Submit
Review the information you entered in the first five pages. Then click the green “Submit” button.
Assuming there were no errors, you’ll receive an automated message and you’ll be redirected to the Portal homepage.
You’ll see your preassigned control number (PCN) in your Portal dashboard and you’ll be able to make any necessary updates to your book information and request.
#4. Make sure your Library of Congress Control number appears on the back of the title page (or on the copyright page of your book).
Library of Congress Control Number: 2019012345
You may also want to update your ISBN information with Bowker; you can add the Library of Congress Control Number at any time post-publication to the ISBN you assigned to your book.
Here’s a fictitious example of what a copyright page might look like, with the Library of Congress Control Number included:
#5. Once your book is published, send the Library of Congress a printed copy of your book.
As the LoC says, “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.”
Neglecting to do will make your book ineligible for inclusion in the Library of Congress’s collections and may result in “suspension from the program.”
Send your published book to this mailing address:
Library of Congress
U.S. Programs, Law, and Literature Division
Cataloging in Publication Program
101 Independence Avenue, S.E.
Washington, D.C. 20540-4283
You only need to send one print book. If you have both a paperback and a hardcover, they want the best copy, so send the hardcover.
When you’re self-publishing, you can’t afford to wing it!
Get individualized support for the self-publishing process—your key to getting more eyes on your book and looking like a pro!
Choosing the right self-publishing platforms and formats
Optimizing your cover, interior, title, keywords, categories, book description, and pricing to sell more books
Pre-order, launch, book marketing and publicity, and platform-building
Assistance with the self-publishing process and with Amazon KDP
Q&A, long-term planning, and more
When will my self-published book be cataloged by the Library of Congress?
I’ve read in the past that it can take up to six months.
BUT, the LOC notes that “The Library does not provide current status reports for individual works processed in this manner. The Library of Congress catalog, however, can be searched for works that the Library has cataloged.”
That’s right: The only way to know if and when your book has officially been added to the LOC catalog is to periodically search the LOC catalog to see if it shows up there.
The LoC advises that “all books submitted to the Library of Congress in compliance with the PCN Program are property of the Library of Congress and therefore are not returnable.”
So worst case scenario, you’re out the cost of a book and the cost to ship it, and you have an LCCN number printed in your book that isn’t actually in use.
Where does your book go if it’s not selected?
According to then-program manager Caroline Saccucci, “If it is not selected, it goes to the surplus book program.”
Presumably the book will be warehoused and/or donated. If I discover any more information on this, I’ll update the article in the future.
LCCN vs. Copyright
As the LOC explains, “There is no relationship between the PCN Program and Copyright registration. The principal intention of copyright records is to document the intellectual or creative ownership of a work. The principal intention of the PCN Program is to assign Library of Congress Control Numbers (LCCNs) in advance of publication to those titles that the Library may add to its collections.”
If you want to register your copyright, that is a separate process. Find copyright information and registration here.
Having a PCN or LCCN does not copyright your book. Copyrighting your book does not get it a PCN or an LCCN, nor does it mean that your book will be held by the Library of Congress.
It used to be that any book that was copyrighted and sent to the copyright office was automatically considered to be catalogued by the Library of Congress, but that is no longer the case.