How can an independent author, who has already published their book, get into the LOC?

~Submitting your already-published book to the Library of Congress (LOC)

While the ideal scenario for a self-published author hoping to get their book into the Library of Congress is to apply for a Preassigned Control Number (PCN) before publication, it is still possible to submit a book that has already been released. Here’s a breakdown of the process: 

1. Understanding the nuances of “Mandatory Deposit”

• The US Copyright Act includes a “mandatory deposit” provision requiring owners of copyright to deposit two copies of the “best edition” of any work published in the United States with the U.S. Copyright Office within three months of publication.
• These deposited copies are intended for the Library of Congress collection.
• Therefore, if your book was published in the United States and you hold the copyright, you are technically obligated to submit copies to the Copyright Office, which then handles their transfer to the Library of Congress. 

Note from the Editor: Library of Congress, Copyright Office, 101 Independence Avenue, SE, Washington, DC 20559. 

For specific services, like mandatory deposit copies, the address might be slightly different. For example, mandatory deposit copies should be addressed to: Library of Congress, U.S. Copyright Office, Attn: 407 Deposits, 101 Independence Avenue SE, Washington, DC 20559-6600. 

The street address of the Copyright Office is the same as the mailing address, located in the James Madison Memorial Building, of the Library of Congress.

2. Navigating the PrePub Book Link system (post-publication)

• PCN vs. LCCN: Remember that a PCN is a preassigned number for forthcoming books. If your book is already published, you are aiming for an LCCN (Library of Congress Control Number) as a reflection of its inclusion in the LOC catalog.
• Create an account: You’ll need to create an account in the Library of Congress’s PrePub Book Link system, either as a publisher or an author/self-publisher.
• Submit your request: Even though your book is already published, you can still submit a request through PrePub Book Link by providing the necessary book details.
  • You’ll need information like ISBN, publication date, title, subtitle, author(s), publisher name, city of publication, and a book summary.
  • You’ll be prompted to include the ISBN for each printed format of your book (and potentially for any ebook versions as well). Ensure you have purchased ISBNs directly from Bowker, as ISBNs from distributors like Amazon, IngramSpark, Barnes & Noble Press, or Draft2Digital are generally not accepted for this process. 

3. The Library of Congress’s selection criteria

• While fulfilling the mandatory deposit requirement is essential, it doesn’t automatically guarantee that your book will be added to the permanent collection.
• The Library of Congress has specific collection development policies and staff review books to determine their suitability for the collection.
• They tend to prioritize works that align with their collection development policies, including American history, genealogy, and cultural works.
• Fiction generally has lower chances of being selected compared to non-fiction.
• Professional reviews from recognized sources can significantly improve your book’s chances. 

4. The importance of quality and visibility

• Even after publication, ensuring your book is of the highest quality in terms of editing, formatting, and overall presentation can still be beneficial.
• Making your book available through library wholesalers like Ingram and Baker & Taylor can increase its visibility to libraries and improve the likelihood of acquisition.
• Consider promoting your book to libraries by reaching out to acquisitions librarians, as recommended by The Creative Penn. 

5. Potential outcome: the surplus book program

• If your book is not selected for the Library of Congress’s permanent collection, it may be directed to their surplus book program, where books are donated to libraries and other organizations. 

In conclusion, even if you’ve already published your book, you can still submit it for consideration by the Library of Congress through the PrePub Book Link system and fulfill the mandatory deposit requirement. However, understand that selection for the permanent collection is based on their specific criteria and is not guaranteed.