A clear introduction to PCIP, who it is for, how it differs from official CIP, and how it helps librarians work with your book.
01 What is PCIP in plain English?
PCIP is a CIP-style bibliographic data block prepared by a professional cataloger at an author’s request when a book is not eligible for CIP.
It is formatted to be printed inside the book so librarians have reliable cataloging information to work from.
02 Who is PCIP for?
PCIP is most useful for independent publishers and self-publishing authors who are not eligible for official Library of Congress CIP data.
It is intended for publishers who want a professional cataloging block for books they hope to sell to libraries.
03 Why would I include a PCIP block in my book?
A well-prepared PCIP block can help librarians create or import a catalog entry more quickly and accurately.
This can improve your book’s visibility in library catalogs and help librarians process it more efficiently, increasing its chances of reaching library shelves sooner.
04 Is PCIP the same as official Library of Congress CIP?
No. Official CIP data comes from the Library of Congress CIP Program.
PCIP is a private, professional CIP-style block created outside the Library of Congress.
05 What does PCIP not do?
- It does not guarantee that libraries will buy the book.
- It does not guarantee that the Library of Congress will catalog the book publicly.
- It does not replace an ISBN, copyright registration, or a PCN/LCCN request.
- It does not make the book part of the official Library of Congress CIP Program.