How to Get a Library of Congress Number

There are two different numbers you will see that relate to the Library of Congress which is the Preassigned Control Number (PCN) and Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN). It is important to know the difference:

• The Preassigned Control Number (PCN) Program enables the Library of Congress to assign control numbers in advance of publication to those titles that may be added to the Library's collections.
• A Library of Congress control 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

If you are a publisher, or plan to publish many books, you should start a PCN Account so that you can submit requests easier for LCCN. This would be done under the PrePub Book Publisher Portal Options. If you are an author who only plans to print a few titles, we would recommend simply using the PrePub Book Author Portal to submit LCCN requests per title on the Library of Congress website.

What is the Process for Getting a LCCN

The process is simple, when you have your books in its final stages, you will do one of the following according to the Library of Congress website:

• Publishers who would like to participate in the PCN Program must first apply for a PCN Publisher Account in PrePub Book Link. Once the publisher account has been approved, publishers can begin submitting LCCN requests. Publishing houses with multiple imprints should create an account for each imprint.
• Authors can submit an LCCN request after creating an account in PrePub Book Link, without waiting for approval by Library staff.

After you have done this, The library of Congress staff will provide you with a LCCN based on the information you provided to them. You then will then add this to your copyright page prior to submitting your book for printing. It should look something like this:

Who is Eligible for LCCN or PCN Program

The great news is if you are a U.S. publisher or author you are eligible to request a LCCN! According to Library of Congress the following is the requirement for each:

Learn more about being a copyright owner at copyright.gov.

• 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.
• Authors must list a U.S. place of publication on the title page or copyright page of their books and have a U.S. phone number that can be easily reached to answer any bibliographic questions

Even if you qualify this doesn’t necessarily mean your book will be selected and included in the Library of Congress. Learn more below about what is not included in the Library of Congress catalog.

What CANNOT be Part of the Library of Congress

As the Library of Congress states, works/books may be selected and cataloged by the Library of Congress but not all will be selected.

The Library of Congress website states "Final determination of works selected and cataloged is made by selection librarians and recommending officers in compliance with Library of Congress collection development policies upon receipt of the printed book. While a title may receive a preassigned LCCN, the Library of Congress is under no obligation to provide preliminary or final cataloging information within its catalog for titles that are not ultimately selected for the Library's permanent collection.

The following are ineligible:

• Books that are already published
• Books which do not list a U.S. city as place of publication on the title page or copyright page
• Books for which Cataloging in Publication data has been (or will be) requested
• E-Books (i.e. books published only in electronic format)
• Serials
• Custom editions
• Items under 50 pages with the exception of genealogies and children's literature and exhibition catalogs submitted by museums and art galleries
• Textbooks below the college level
• Items not intended for wide distribution to libraries
• Religious instructional materials
• Expendable educational materials
• Transitory or consumable materials
• Translations except Spanish
• Mass market paperbacks
• Single articles reprinted from periodicals and other serials
• Audiovisual materials including mixed media and computer software
• Music scores
• Microforms

How Much Does a PCN or LCCN cost

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. Please note 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 (From The Library of Congress).

If you have more questions about getting a Library of Congress Control Number or being apart of their cataloging, we recommend visiting The Library of Congress FAQs.

What Else You Might Need to Publish Your Book

If you are publishing your book, aka printing your book, and you have an ISBN, you might also need to:

If you have more questions do not hesitate to Contact Us, your book printing experts at Gorham Printing.