Asked by: Lauren Martin

How do I get a Library of Congress Control Number?

To obtain Library of Congress control numbers for your forthcoming books, you must first complete the Application to Participate and obtain an account number and password. The account number and password will provide you access to the appropriate form for requesting Library of Congress control numbers.

Do I need a Library of Congress Control Number?

We love the good old LoC, but a Library of Congress Catalog Control Number, or LCCN, is actually not required for every book. It’s not necessary to establish copyright, or to sell your book in the US. Some authors or publishers send their books to the Library of Congress, hoping to get it added to their collection.

What is a Library of Congress Control Number in a book for?

A Library of Congress Number (LCCN) is tool used by librarians in schools, libraries and other educational institutions. Librarians use the LCCN to locate a specific Library of Congress catalogue record in the national database and to order catalogue cards from the Library of Congress or from commercial suppliers.