The CIP data block is a representation of the information in the electronic cataloguing record created by the CIP team before a book is published. It includes information such as author(s), title, series title, subjects, International Standard Book Number (ISBN), and classification numbers. Normally placed on the back of the title page of the published book, the data block helps libraries process the book efficiently.
Evolution of the CIP data block
With recent developments in cataloguing standards and practices, the Library of Congress (LC) introduced a redesigned CIP data block in the fall of 2015. LC’s new data block uses labels for groups of data elements, which organize the cataloguing data in a simpler manner. Recognizing the benefits of these innovations for libraries worldwide, LAC has in turn developed its own CIP data block.
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