Q:
Why should I use an ISBN?
A:
If you are a publisher or bookseller it may be in your own interest
as you want to sell books. If your books cannot be ordered and distributed
by ISBN and if they are not listed in Books in Print you may
find that your books do not sell: People will assume your books do not
exist, and if they know they may consider it too much of a bother to
handle them in a traditional fashion.
Q: In our country the book-trade works
mostly without computers.
A:
You do not have to have computers to make use of ISBN. The 10 digit
number saves you and other people the bother of copying bibliographic
records. Also if you want to export your books, without ISBN they will
not have a chance of being listed in Books in Print.
Q: Our country still lacks an efficient
infrastructure in the book-sector.
A:
Then ISBN is an ideal means of building the infrastructure and catch
up with other countries!
Q: I sell books but also stationary,
toys, and many other items. As the ISBN only identifies books what can
I do about the rest?
A:
This material can be numbered by other numbering systems, like, e.g.,
EAN article numbers. Modern scanning equipment reads and processes the
different kinds of bar-coded numbers.
Q: The EAN organisation asked me to
become a member. Is this mandatory?
A:
If you only want to use the ISBN in bar-coded form, you do not have
to become a member. But as EAN and UCC provide other trade-related services,
like electronic address numbers (location codes), EDI (electronic data
interchange) formats etc., you may want to become a member. Check with
your EAN organisation for information on their services.
Q: Does a price change require a new
ISBN?
A:
No.
Q: Does a new title require a new
ISBN?
A:
Yes, you need a new ISBN for a new title.
Q: I am publishing a book in a foreign
language. Should it have an ISBN of the country in whose language the
book is written?
A:
No. It is the country where the publisher is based which determines
the group identifier, and not the language of the text.
Q: I am revising a book. Does it require
a new ISBN?
A:
A (substantial) change of text requires a new ISBN, and if revisions
have been made the back of the title page should state that the book
is a revised edition, and the new ISBN should be printed there.
Q: Does a reprint without change of
text, or binding require a new ISBN?
A:
No. The original number must be retained.
Q: I would like to issue a new ISBN
for marketing reasons. Is this permissible?
A:
No. There is no change of text, format or binding which would justify
a new ISBN.
Q: I am reprinting a book with a price
change. Is a new ISBN required?
A:
No. A price change does not require a new ISBN.
Q: Do I need a new ISBN when I am
reprinting a book with a new title?
A:
Yes, a new title requires a new ISBN.
Q: What happens if I have used all
the numbers under my prefix?
A:
An additional prefix can be assigned – allowing for a larger output
if necessary. This is an additional prefix, and not a replacement.
Q: Is it possible to reassign ISBNs
when the books to which they were allocated are out of print?
A:
No. An ISBN identifies a given title, and its edition and binding for
all time. Even if out of print it will still exist in some shops, and
will certainly still exist in libraries.
Q: I am publishing a work in several
volumes. Will one ISBN suffice or will each volume need its own ISBN?
A:
The rules state that the set should have an ISBN, and that each volume
should have its own, separate ISBN.
Q: I am taking over another firm, which
already has an ISBN prefix. All future books will be published under my
name. Can I renumber all the other firm's titles?
A:
Not until reprinted under your own imprint, carrying your own name.
Q: I am publishing a series of titles.
Do I need an ISBN or an ISSN?
A:
The series should receive an ISSN while the individual items receive
ISBNs.
Q: I have a homepage on the Internet.
Does it require an ISBN?
A:
As a homepage is not in any way similar to published monograph ISBN
assignment is not recommended. Such publications are covered, however,
by DOI and/or URN..
|
Back
