Understand the difference between the Preassigned Control Number Program and the Library of Congress Control Number issued through it.
Two related terms with different meanings
PCN refers to the application program, while LCCN refers to the control number connected to the book’s bibliographic record.
Library of Congress Control Number
An LCCN is a unique number linked to a book’s bibliographic record—not to the physical book itself.
Preassigned Control Number
PCN is the Library of Congress program through which eligible publishers and authors can request an LCCN before a book is published.
The application program.
The number you receive if approved.
If approved, the LCCN can be added to the book’s copyright page and included in the PCIP block before publication.
The most important details
Apply through the PCN Program well before publication. The Library of Congress advises allowing up to 30 calendar days to receive an LCCN.
Allow sufficient time before publication for the application to be reviewed and the LCCN to be issued.
There is no application fee, but the book must generally meet the program’s eligibility requirements.
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Still be unpublished
The request should be submitted before the book is published.
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Be available in a physical format
The program generally applies to books intended for physical publication.
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Contain at least 50 pages
Limited exceptions may apply depending on the type of publication.
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Be intended for wide library distribution
The title should be intended for distribution to libraries rather than only private or limited use.
Send a copy to the Library of Congress
After the book is published, you must send a copy to the Library of Congress.
No guarantee of cataloging or retention
An LCCN does not guarantee that the Library of Congress will keep or publicly catalog the book.
Separate from copyright registration
The PCN Program is separate from copyright registration and does not replace the copyright registration process.
Do not use a provisional number
If a PCN request is rejected, do not use any provisional LCCN shown during the application process.