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Cataloging in Publication (CIP) data from the Library of Congress (LC) is an important cataloging tool for school library media specialists. "CIP/LC" will provide a brief history of CIP; its scope; frequently asked questions; how to download CIP records from the Web; and information on how to read, interpret, and use CIP as well as an annotated bibliography for in-depth information on cataloging.
The Cataloging in Publication (CIP) program at the Library of Congress (LC) turned thirty-two years old on July 1, 2003.1 Many school library media specialists (SLMSs) do not remember books without CIP on the copyright page. CIP is prepared by LC before publication to help libraries get books on the shelves quickly. While other national libraries have CIP programs (for example, the National Library of Canada, the British Library), and some publishers create their own publisher's CIP, this column will focus on CIP from LC.
What Is CIP?
CIP is a prepublication cataloging record, created from galley proofs submitted by publishers to LC. CIP is available in two forms: the CIP block, CIP data printed on the book's copyright page; and MARC CIP, data in machine readable cataloging (MARC) format.
The MARC CIP is the most current version of the information because corrections and additions are made when the book arrives at LC. The CIP block printed in the book is not updated. The updated MARC CIP record appears in the LC online catalog and is supplied to vendors for distribution to libraries with automated catalogs.
The...