Self-Publishing and libraries: cataloguing challenges and legal deposit issues in self-published books
Elda Merenda
Published 2026-05-15
Keywords
- Self publishing,
- Legal deposit,
- Authority control,
- Publisher,
- Bibliographic metadata.
How to Cite
Copyright (c) 2026 Elda Merenda
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Abstract
This paper analyzes the phenomenon of self-publishing within the context of contemporary publishing, with particular focus on its impact on the library system, cataloguing practices, and legal deposit policies. Starting with the quantitative and structural development of self-publishing in Italy, the study examines the critical issues that arise in relation to bibliographic identification, metadata management, and the definition of publishing responsibilities, highlighting the difficulties libraries face in handling materials lacking traditional editorial mediation. The essay analyzes the role of the ISBN, the limitations of authority systems, and the issues related to the availability and reliability of information on authors, as well as the impact of these factors on cataloging and preservation practices. Particular attention is devoted to the legal framework of legal deposit and its implementation challenges in the case of self-published works, especially regarding digital content. Overall, the article offers a reflection on self-publishing as a structural phenomenon of the contemporary publishing landscape and as a test case for libraries’ ability to adapt tools, criteria, and functions to the transformation of cultural production models.
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References
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