Use this guide if you are self-publishing or running a small press and want your book correctly recorded, discoverable and eligible for income from libraries. Have your final title, formats, publication date and author details ready. Check each body's current rules, as eligibility and processes can change.
Step by step
Get ISBNs for each format
Decide whether to buy your own ISBNs from the Nielsen ISBN Agency or use a platform's free identifier, and check the limits of the free option. Assign a separate ISBN to each format and edition and keep a log.
Register bibliographic data
Submit your book's details, such as title, contributors, format, price and description, to the book trade database used by UK booksellers and libraries. Accurate data helps shops and libraries find and order the book.
Send legal deposit copies
Within one month of publication, send one copy of each print edition to the British Library. Respond to any requests from the Agency for Legal Deposit Libraries for the other libraries. Check the rules for ebooks.
Register for Public Lending Right
Register yourself and your book with the Public Lending Right scheme run by the British Library, so you can receive payments when it is borrowed from public libraries. Check eligibility and deadlines on their website.
Join ALCS if eligible
Consider joining the Authors' Licensing and Collecting Society, which collects certain secondary royalties such as from photocopying and scanning. Register each new work once you are a member.
Keep a publication record
Record ISBNs, publication dates, deposit dates, registrations and login details in one place. Update it whenever you publish a new edition or format.
Ready-to-use checklist
- ISBN per format assigned
- ISBN log updated
- Bibliographic data submitted
- Legal deposit copy sent within one month
- Public Lending Right registration done
- ALCS membership considered
- Publication record saved
- Reminder set for new editions
Practical tips
- Print the ISBN and barcode on the back cover and the ISBN on the copyright page.
- A significantly revised edition usually needs a new ISBN; a simple typo fix usually does not. Check Nielsen's guidance if unsure.
- Keep proof of posting when you send legal deposit copies.
Common problems
I used a platform's free identifier and now want wider distribution.
You may need to publish a new edition with your own ISBN. Check the platform's terms before changing anything.
My book does not show up in bookshop systems.
Check that your bibliographic data has been submitted and is complete, and that your distributor offers the book to the trade.
I have co-authors.
Agree in writing how lending right and other payments will be shared, and check how each scheme handles joint authors.