ISBN (identifier)

International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique numeric commercial book identifier that is intended to be a permanent identifier for books. It is assigned to each edition and variation (except reprintings) of a book, such as paperback, hardcover, and e-book formats, provided by publishers to uniquely identify their works within the global marketplace.

History

The ISBN system was developed in the United Kingdom in 1966 by the bookseller W.H. Smith and others, and was adopted as an international standard, ISO 2108, in 1970. The purpose of the ISBN is to establish and identify one title or edition of a title from one specific publisher and is unique to that edition, allowing for more efficient marketing of products by booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers, and distributors.

Format

The ISBN is a ten or thirteen-digit number that is divided into four or five parts of variable length:

• The prefix element – a 3-digit code that identifies the country, geographical region, or language area participating in the ISBN system. As of 2007, the ISBN system uses a 13-digit format, prefixed by "978" or "979".
• The registration group element – identifies a particular country, territory, or language area participating in the ISBN system.
• The registrant element – identifies a particular publisher or imprint.
• The publication element – identifies a specific edition and format of a publication.
• The checksum character – a single digit at the end of the ISBN which validates the ISBN.

Registration

Publishers apply to an ISBN registration agency within their country or geographic territory to obtain an ISBN. The registration agency assigns the registrant element and the publication element of the ISBN, based on the publishing profile of the applicant.

Usage

ISBNs are used in the book trade for ordering, listing, sales records, and stock control. They enable efficient marketing and distribution of products. Libraries use ISBNs for cataloging and managing their collections, and educators use them for textbook assignment and procurement.

Changes and Updates

The transition from a 10-digit to a 13-digit ISBN format in 2007 was a significant change that aligned the ISBN with the global EAN.UCC numbering system, making book identification compatible with the global marketplace. This change increased the total number of available ISBNs and improved the efficiency of the system.

Criticism and Limitations

While the ISBN is a powerful tool for the identification of books, it has its limitations. It does not cover periodicals, magazines, or individual chapters of books. Additionally, the cost of ISBNs can be a barrier for small publishers or independent authors. There is also criticism regarding the complexity and cost of managing the system, especially with the need for separate ISBNs for each format and edition of a book.

See Also

• Book numbering
• Library of Congress Control Number (LCCN)
• International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)