Only U. S. publishers who publish titles that are most likely to be widely acquired by U.S. libraries are eligible to participate in the CIP program. Book vendors, distributors, printers, production houses and other intermediaries are ineligible. Publishers who have published the works of fewer than three different authors are ineligible. Self-publishers (i.e. authors and editors who pay for or subsidize publication of their own works; who often do not publish the works of more than three different authors; and whose works are rarely widely acquired by the nation's libraries) are ineligible. Publishers ineligible for the CIP program may be eligible for the Preassigned Control Number Program.

There is no charge for CIP processing. However, participating publishers are obligated to send a complimentary copy of all books for which CIP data was provided immediately upon publication. Publishers failing to meet this obligation may be suspended from the program. All books and materials sent to the Library of Congress are nonreturnable.

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