Why are self-published works out of scope for the Cataloging in Publication (CIP) program?
Resources available to support the CIP program are limited. Recognizing this constraint the CIP program is limited to publishers with an established history of producing works that are widely acquired by the nation’s libraries. Such works often include publications produced by small publishers (over 40% of CIP publishers publish less than 5 titles a year), but do not include works of self-publishers. Works not included in the CIP program can be cataloged locally by those libraries that obtain them. These works may also be eligible for the Preassigned Control Number program. See: http://pcn.loc.gov/ This policy and others that govern the CIP program are developed in consultation with the library community. Library of Congress staff meet with librarians twice a year at the annual and midwinter American Library Association conferences to discuss such issues as this. Results from the 2006 CIP Survey showed that the following types of material (now excluded from the CIP program) should be a
