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INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BOOK NUMBERING SYSTEM (ISBN)

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International Standard Book Numbering (ISBN) is a system designed to provide identification for all books published in Sri Lanka. ISBN is a unique and unchangeable number which identifies one work or one binding or one edition of a work issued by a given publisher. It is an internationally recognizable number consisting of thirteen (13) digits. The National Agency for Sri Lanka which is the NLDSB, register Sri Lankan publishers that comes under the categories of commercial, governmental and non-governmental institutions and author/ private publishers (individuals) and allocate publisher prefixes as well as ISBN to their publications.

  International ISBN Agency

How ISBNs are allocated

For the purpose of the ISBN system, a publisher is defined as any person, company, partnership, association, group or body of any kind whatsoever issuing and publishing a book. Note that publishing a book is not printing a book and the ISBN is issued only to the publisher rather than the printer, except in those rare cases where the printer is also the publisher. ie: financing the production of the item.

ISBN should be given to:

• Printed books and pamphlets (consisting of 5 or more pages)
• Micro from publications
• Braille publications
• Mixed media publications
• Books on cassettes
• Machine readable tapes designed to produce readable print outs
• Microcomputer software
• Other similar media including educational films/ video and transparencies
• e books

ISBN’s should not be given to:

• Ephemeral printed materials such as diaries, calendars, theatre and concert programmes, advertising matter, prospectuses etc.
• Posters
• Art prints and art folders without title page and text
• Publications without text. Eg: Colouring books, stamp albums
• Sound recordings
• Serial publications such as newspapers, periodicals (except yearbooks, annuals, monographic series)

The full advantages of participation in the ISBN scheme are achieved only when the ISBN is actually printed in the publication. This means that ISBN must be allocated before a book goes to the printer.

Procedure for application for ISBN

Sri Lankan publishers should apply to the National Agency for a publisher prefix and request for ISBNs for individual titles. Publishers must request an ISBN for a forthcoming publication early enough for the number assigned to be printed in the book.

The group agency will assume the responsibility for assigning publisher identifiers. A block of ISBNs will also be allocated for each publisher by the ISBN agency. The assignment of a specific number to a specific publication will be carried out by the agency in consultation with the publishers.

Where to print ISBNs

The ISBN should always appear on the verso of the title page below the copy right line or if this is not possible at the foot of the title page. It should also appear at the right foot of the outside back cover and at the right foot of the back of the jacket if the book has one. If neither of these alternatives is possible then the ISBN should appear in some other prominent position on the outside. ISBN should be printed in twelve point or larger font.

In addition to the places mentioned above, a paperback edition should have the ISBN printed on the spine.

When to give ISBNs

Individual ISBNs should be given for:

• Each title published for the first time. ie: Each first impression.
• Each new edition of a title published. This includes a change in type of binding, a change in text or format or resetting of type but not a reprint with no textual difference from the original.
• ISBNs should be assigned to the different bindings of the same title published by the same publisher. ie: The trade hardback, trade paperback and leather bindings issued by a publisher either simultaneously or at different points in time.
• ISBNs should be assigned to the related versions of the same work.
• Each volume of a multi-volume set requires a number as well as an ISBN for the set as a whole, eg:
• ISBN 0-670-01039-1 (volume I)
• ISBN 0-670-01045-6 (volume VI set)
• ISBNs should be assigned to works related to a text book. ie: The teachers’ manual work book and test manual.

ISBN deposit collection

A free copy of every book carrying an ISBN is voluntarily sent to the ISBN agency, by the respective publishers. Sri Lanka ISBN agency was able to build up a Deposit Collection with the aid of these copies and this collection will be a separate collection in the National Library named as ISBN Deposit Collection.

Use of ISBN in publishing houses

• The different stages of editing and manufacturing a book
• Stock control
• Ordering
• Accounting and billing
• Handling of returns

Use of ISBN in libraries

• Ordering
• Cataloguing
• Information retrieval
• Retrieval and downloading of catalogue records
• Circulation and inter lending
• The National Bibliography

Further information about the application of ISBNs can be found in the International ISBN User's Manual.

Download ISBN Application

ISBN Application(Self Publisher)

ISBN Application(Commmercial/ Government Publisher)

Queries regarding ISBN or requests for ISBN may be addressed to:

Address	:	The National Agency (ISBN) National Library and Documentation Services Board No. 14, Independence Avenue Colombo 07 Sri Lanka
Phone	:	+94 11 3610773, +94 11 2687583
Email	:	isbnsrilanka@mail.natlib.lk