Introduction
Registering your book in Australia is an essential step for authors who want their work to reach libraries, booksellers, and readers effectively. The process ensures your book is officially recognized and catalogued, making it discoverable nationwide. Using the National Library of Australia’s Prepublication Data Service, authors can complete registration before publication with ease.
What is Book Registration in Australia?
In Australia, book registration is handled through the National Library of Australia’s Prepublication Data Service (formerly known as Cataloguing in Publication or CiP). This service is free and ensures that your book’s metadata, such as title, author, ISBN, audience, and subject matter, is available to libraries, book suppliers, and other industry professionals.
Previously, cataloguing required physical entries in printed catalogues, but now online databases such as Libraries Australia and Trove make your book discoverable digitally.
Why Register Your Book?
Book registration offers several advantages:
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Visibility to Libraries and Booksellers: Registered books are easier for libraries and bookshops to acquire.
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Credibility: Registration adds professionalism and trustworthiness to your book.
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Metadata Accuracy: Ensures your book’s details (title, author, ISBN, edition, price, and audience) are standardized and correctly listed.
Who is Eligible?
Most books published in Australia are eligible for registration, including:
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Print books published in Australia (even if printed overseas)
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Ebooks
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Excludes audiobooks
Registration must be completed before publication. For a full list of eligible formats, consult the Prepublication Data Service eligibility guidelines.
Information Needed for Registration
To register your book, authors must have the following ready:
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Publisher Details: Name of the imprint or publisher.
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Book Details: Title, subtitle, series/edition, ISBN, format, price, and publication date.
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Audience & Genre
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Blurb (approx. 300 words)
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Subject
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Creator Information: Author, illustrator, or other contributors
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Other Formats: If applicable
Tip: Use a metadata spreadsheet to organize all these details efficiently.
Step-by-Step Guide to Register Your Book
Step 1: Visit the Prepublication Data Service application page and click APPLY NOW.
2: Complete the online form with your book details and submit your application.
3: Receive a confirmation email containing a link to the Cataloguing Statement for your book. This is to be printed in your publication.
Step 4: A prepublication catalogue record is created and will appear on Libraries Australia and Trove within 48 hours.
Step 5: After publication, deposit your book with the National Library of Australia and relevant state libraries. This fulfills the Legal Deposit requirement under the Copyright Act 1968.
Once deposited, your prepublication record is upgraded to a full catalogued entry, indicating your book is officially published.
Key Notes for Authors
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Applications are now processed instantly, unlike the older system that took up to 10 days.
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Even after registration, authors must complete Legal Deposit to comply with Australian copyright law.
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Prepublication ensures early visibility; full cataloguing confirms the official publication status.
FAQs
Q1. Can I register my eBook through the Prepublication Data Service?
A. Yes, eBooks are eligible, but audiobooks are not. Make sure registration is done before publication.
Q2. Do I need an ISBN to register my book?
A. Yes, the ISBN is a mandatory part of the metadata. Learn more about ISBNs here.
Q3. How long does registration take?
A. Under the new system, registration is instantaneous. Your book record appears on Libraries Australia and Trove within 48 hours.
Q4. What is Legal Deposit?
A. Legal Deposit is the requirement to submit copies of your published book to the National Library and state libraries, ensuring your book is archived for public and research access. Learn more here.
Q5. Can I register a book if I self-publish?
A. Absolutely. Self-published books are eligible as long as they are published in Australia. For guidance, see Self-Publishing in Australia.
Conclusion
Registering your book in Australia through the Prepublication Data Service is a simple but essential process that ensures your work is visible, professional, and accessible to libraries and book industry professionals. By completing registration and legal deposit, your book gains credibility and nationwide exposure, helping you reach readers effectively.