4   Standard Contents

Cataloguing in Publication Data

Cataloguing in Publication (CIP) is an international cooperative program between librarians and publishers to catalogue publications before they are printed. It helps libraries, booksellers, and readers catalogue and order books. Only manuals that will be distributed outside your own organization to members of the public typically require cataloguing. Online manuals do not need CIP data.

The National Library of Canada coordinates the program in Canada. Applications for cataloguing can be made through your local legislative library or any major public library. Ask for the CIP coordinator.

Normally, you need to provide the following:

• title page
• table of contents
• introduction

If you have access to the Internet, you can apply for CIP data by filling out a form online. Library and Archives Canada’s Web site provides a list of CIP agents.

The cataloguing data is usually placed on the back of the title page exactly as set out for you (see the sample cataloguing data).

This page often carries copyright information as well. In Canada, the copyright notice is not required by law—your organization is assumed to have the copyright when you publish. However, it does remind others not to copy parts of your manual without your permission.

While the CIP page is counted as the second page, like the title page, it does not show a page number.