ISBN or International Standard Book Number- An unique identifier number, displayed in barcode format on publications ex. books on their back jacket (lower right). It is allotted by International ISBN Agency based in UK through the National ISBN Agency.It is in the form of 13 digits, consisting of 5 elements separated by spaces and hyphens ex. ISBN No. 978-81-8038-835-4 indicates following information:
- Ist element- Denotes a specified prefix element (978).
- IInd element- Identifies the particular country or geographical area (81).
- IIIrd element- Identifies the particular publisher (8038).
- IVth element- Identifies the particular edition, format of a specific title (835).
- Vth element- Check digit (4).
ISBN is a product number used to sell publications through major bookselling chains, or Internet booksellers, most cases require an ISBN to assist in internal processing and ordering systems. The ISBN also provides access to bibliographic databases, which are organized using ISBN as references. These databases are used by the book industry and libraries to provide information to customers The ISBN therefore provides access to bibliographic details of the books that could help sales of publication. Any Publisher who is publishing a qualifying product for general sale or distribution to the market, any author whose name is indicated on the cover page of book along with title, Institutions against the Seminars and Conferences on a specified title.
ISBNs are available in blocks for publishers and the smallest block is of 10 numbers. For an author, a single ISBN number is allotted against a single title. An ISBN is assigned to each edition and variation (except reprinting) of a book. For example, an e-book, a paperback and a hardcover edition of the same book would each have a different ISBN. Applicant (author) can apply for more than one variation in the same application.
Advantages of ISBN
- Unique international identifier for monographic publications.
- Assigning ISBN replaces handling of long bibliographic descriptive records-saving time, reducing staff costs & coping errors.
- Correct use different product forms to be clearly differentiated, enabling comparisons between different subject areas, publishing houses.
- Facilitates compilation and updating of book trade directories and bibliographic databases.
- Fast and efficient method of ordering and distribution of books, managing sale system in shops, supply chain systems, managing sales data, stock control.
- Ensures that the book is widely known.
ISBN is assigned for the following products:
- Monographic works (books) that are textual and/or have an instructional content
- Publications not intended by the publisher to be updated regularly
- Individual articles
- Educational instructions, films, videos including audio books not purely for entertainment
- Electronic publications, Mixed media text based publications
- Print on demand publications
- Set of volumes or packs of books
Products which do not qualify for ISBN:
- Serials/periodicals/journals (these are suitable for ISSN)
- Journals, record books
- Videos, DVDs or other media for entertainment
- Documentaries on video/CD-ROM, DVD or other media
- Computer games
- Computer application packages
- Music scores
- Items available to a restricted group, e.g. a course book only available to students on the course
- Websites
- Non text-based publications
To apply for ISBN registration click here.
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