Library of Congress

Cataloging in Publication Program

The Library of Congress > Cataloging in Publication Program > New Account

New Account

How Do I Open New CIP Account?

  • To obtain CIP data, you must first complete the application to participate and obtain an account number and password.
  • The account number and password provide access to the form for requesting CIP data.
  • A JavaScript-enabled browser such as Mozilla Firefox or Microsoft Explorer is required to complete the application to participate and the subsequent form to request CIP data.

Before establishing an account for your firm, please note the following:

  • Complete a CIP data application and transmit the full text or core required materials for each title.
    • The texts are accessible only to authorized staff for purposes of preparing CIP data and are deleted after a copy of the book is received and the CIP record verified.
  • Transmit the text in US-ASCII with line breaks.
    • WordPerfect: select "ASCII DOS Text (*.txt)" from the list of file types--not "WordPerfect (*.wpd)".
    • Microsoft Word: select "MS-DOS Text with line breaks (*.txt)"--not "Word Document (*.doc)"
    • Texts transmitted with word processing codes or other non-ASCII code cannot be processed.
  • The CIP Program is limited to books that are principally in English and whose text can be transmitted in ASCII.
  • The following categories of works cannot be processed electronically via the CIP program:
    • Books in non-Western European languages
    • Books with non-Western language diacritics appearing anywhere on the title page
    • Books consisting mainly of images, tables, charts or mathematical or chemical formulas, etc.
    • To obtain CIP data for these works, please submit a conventional CIP application by mail
  • Attach a file of the text to the application.
  • Format and code the text prior to completing the application.
  • Without these tags, catalogers will be unable to access the text and catalog the work.
  • The CIP data is emailed to the publisher upon completion.
  • The CIP data must be printed as provided on the verso of the copyright page following the legend:

    Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data

  • Submit a complimentary copy of the book to the CIP Program immediately upon publication.
    • The complimentary copy is required to verify the accuracy of the CIP record and provide additional information (e.g., number of pages) not available at the time the CIP data is created.

Application to Participate