How long does it take to obtain Cataloging in Publication (CIP) data?
Most applications are completed in two weeks from the time the application is reviewed and found to be complete until the time the CIP data is generated and sent to the publishers. Clinical medical titles take longer since they are sent to the National Library of Medicine (NLM) for descriptive cataloging and NLM medical subject headings before being completed by Library of Congress subject catalogers and Dewey decimal classification specialists. Applications for juvenile titles require additional processing to add subject headings and/or summaries for young readers. Publishers of juvenile titles are encouraged to submit their applications at least two months prior to the date they will need the CIP data. Regardless of the subject matter, however, publishers should submit applications well in advance of publication to provide ample processing time should the application encounter a period of heavy workload or require developmental work to establish subject or name authority records.
