Everything You Need to Get Your eBook into Libraries (and listed in the Library of Congress!)
You wrote (or are planning to write) an eBook! It’s an exciting step for your brand and business—eBooks are a fantastic way to showcase your expertise, build trust, and expand your reach. Selling it on your website and social platforms is a great start, but why stop there?
You have important insight to share—let’s share it as widely as we can. That includes making your book available for commercial sale, getting it into local public libraries, and pursuing cataloging with the Library of Congress.
This article is a friendly, practical guide to the steps you need to take to make that happen, along with how the WP Wellness team can help at every step—both with the technical aspects and the creative ones.
What to Do Before Publishing Your eBook
Before you hit publish, take a breath—and take a few key steps that make your book impossible for libraries to ignore. Libraries (and librarians) favor polished, professional work that’s easy to catalog and order. That means investing in editing and design, obtaining the correct identifiers such as ISBNs and a PCN, ensuring clean metadata, and selecting distributors who actually sell to libraries. Do those things now, and you’ll save time, avoid headaches, and dramatically increase the chance your book shows up on library shelves and catalogs. WP Wellness can guide you through each step, so your focus stays on the message, not the paperwork.
Already published? Don’t panic! We have a plan for that as well. Skip to the bottom of this guide for steps to take if you’ve already published your eBook.
A Step-By-Step Guide to Preparing Your eBook for Publishing
- Make the book professional and format-ready: Even if you’re self-publishing an eBook, it should look and feel professional! Hire editing services, a designer to help create cover design and interior layout, and ensure it is prepared with print-ready files. Our in-house team of designers and editors can gladly help here! Not only do libraries favor professionally produced work, but anyone who purchases your book will, too. You’re showcasing your expertise, your story, your passion—present it in the best possible light.
- Obtain ISBNs: ISBNs are the unique identifiers for your book that you need for commercial sales and for libraries to order your book. You can buy them (from Bowker if you’re in the U.S.), which lets you list your own imprint as the publisher, or use a free one from a platform like Amazon, which will list them as the publisher.
- Apply for a Preassigned Control Number (PCN) via the Library of Congress’s PrePub Book Link (PPBL) service: The Library of Congress offers a PrePub Book Link (PPBL) service that enables you to apply for a Preassigned Control Number (PCN). If your application is successful and the Library later decides to add your book to its collection, the PCN can be converted to an official Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN). Note that the key here is pre-publishing; this step can only be done before publishing, and going from PCN to LCCN is the most straightforward route to being listed in the Library of Congress.
- Request Publisher’s Cataloging-in-Publication (CIP) data (when applicable): Once your PCN/PPBL is accepted, you can request CIP data. This provides libraries with ready-made cataloging information, such as subject headings and classifications, making it easier for them to acquire and share your book.
- Produce a retail-ready print edition (barcode included): Even if you’re focused on ebooks, a print edition is a good idea because libraries still love physical copies. Ensure that an ISBN barcode is included on the back cover to facilitate ordering and circulation.
- Prepare complete and consistent metadata: Metadata refers to all the information about your book, including the title, author, ISBN, and synopsis. It’s how libraries find and order your book, so make sure it’s accurate and consistent across all platforms.
- Choose distribution channels that reach libraries: To get your book into libraries, use distributors like IngramSpark for print books and aggregators like Draft2Digital or Smashwords for eBooks. These platforms have partnerships with library systems, such as OverDrive and Libby, ensuring your book is available where libraries are looking.
- Reach out to local libraries directly: Don’t underestimate the power of local connections! Contact acquisitions librarians at nearby libraries, offer them a review copy of your book, and see if you can arrange a local event or reading. Encourage anyone interested in your eBook to specifically request that their library carry it. Direct outreach can make a real difference in getting your book on local shelves and in front of readers.
What to Do if You’ve Already Published a Version of Your eBook
- Professional quality: Review and, if needed, invest in a revised edition with professional editing and layout. You may need a new edition ISBN if you change the content or format of your book.
- ISBNs: If you used a platform’s free ISBN but want your imprint listed, buy a new ISBN and reissue the edition under that ISBN. Existing listings may still show the platform as the publisher unless you re-publish with your own ISBN.
- Contact The Library of Congress: You cannot get a PCN/LCCN after publication. However, you can still submit a physical copy to the Library of Congress for acquisition consideration. If they accept your copy, they may catalog it and assign an LCCN post-publication; however, you cannot obtain a preassigned PCN.
- Distributor placement: Upload the already published edition to IngramSpark (if not already done) so libraries can purchase it via wholesalers. For ebooks, use aggregators that distribute to library platforms. If your book is exclusive to a platform (e.g., Amazon-only), you may need to create new non-exclusive editions to reach library channels.
- Metadata cleanup: Audit and correct metadata across retailer and distributor listings (title, author, ISBN, publisher, pub date, BISAC). You may need to coordinate with platforms to update existing records or issue a corrected edition.
- Local libraries & outreach: Contact local acquisitions librarians, donate a copy for review, submit to library review outlets, and host local events. The path is the same here, but libraries will evaluate the current published edition.
Getting your eBook into libraries and into Library of Congress catalogs takes a few strategic steps—most importantly: professional production, clean metadata, the right identifiers (ISBNs and PCN/LCCN when possible), and distribution through library-friendly channels.
WP Wellness can handle the technical work—ISBN advice, PPBL applications, IngramSpark uploads, metadata management, and librarian outreach—as well as copyediting and design, so you can focus on the content and the connections your work will create.
