Technology is always changing. What’s new and top of the line today is old and out dated in just a few months. Libraries are evermore relying on technology to handle all it’s management tasks such as; circulation, cataloging, inventories, and etc. Automation is the life of a media center. Therefore, with this constant change, it is vital that libraries stay linked to the future and keep in mind future growth for the library. With the future of libraries in mind, this report discusses one of many areas that have change, the 13-digit ISBN. This report will discuss what ISBN means, what it consist of, how and why it has changed, and what this change means for libraries and the Library of Congress.

            Before we look at the 13-digit ISBN, let us discuss what ISBN means. ISBN means the International Standard Book Number. It was “introduced in 1970 and serves as a key element of ordering and inventory systems” ( Schult-Jones, 2006). It consists of ten digits that identify books that are published internationally. This number establishes and identifies one title by one particular publisher. Each book has it’s own number which allows for efficient marketing. The ISBN consists of ten digits beginning with the letters ISBN. It is divided into four parts that is divided by a hyphen. The four parts of an ISBN are as follows.    The first part of the number is called the group or country identifier. It identifies a national or geographic group of publishers. The second part is called the publisher identifier. It identifies a specific publisher. The third part of an ISBN number is called the title identifier. It identifies a specific title. The check digit is located at the end of the number and it validates the number. Sometimes the roman numeral x is used to indicate the number ten. Who can assign the ISBN number to publishers? “There are over 160 ISBN Agencies worldwide and each ISBN Agency is appointed as the exclusive agent responsible for assigning ISBNs to publishers residing in their country or territory” (Frequently Asked Questions about the ISBN, 2008).   The United States ISBN Agency is the only agency that has the authority to assign ISBNs to publishers in the United States. The following is a list of clients who can apply for an ISBN; publishers, e-book publishers, audiocassette and video publishers, and software producers. Publishers and producers are charged a service charge processing of information. This fee is not refundable. Each title is assigned a number. Each format has a different number for example; hardcover, paperbacks, video, e-book, disc, cassette, and etc. Once used, an ISBN is never used again. ISBNs are usually printed on the lower back part of the book and is also located on the copyright page.

            On January 1, 2007, the new standard, the 13-digit ISBN, was available. It is divided into five parts that are also separated by a hyphen. The five parts of the new ISBN is described below. The first part consists of the prefix 978. Part two is called the group or country identifier. This part identifies the national or geographic grouping of publishers. Part three is called the publishers identifier. It identifies a specific publisher. The title identifier is the fourth part, which identifies a specific title. At the end of the new ISBN is the check digit, which authenticates the ISBN.

            Why change the ISBN? It was needed to be able to expand the numbering capacity of the ISBN system. This change lessens numbering deficiency in certain areas of the world. “By changing the ISBN to 13 digits, the book industry has fully aligned the numbering system for books with the global GIIN identification system that is widely used to identify most other consumer goods worldwide” (Are You Ready for ISBN-13?,  2008).   All books will be published with the 13-digit ISBN after January 1, 2007. Librarians may go to the website www.niso.org/standards/resources/ISBN.html#FAQ to find more information about ISBN-13. This site will answer some questions librarians may have about how this change will effect them. Lets discuss how this change will affect the media center. We must ask ourselves some questions. How will media specialist order books when they know only the ISBN-10? Book distributors had to convert to the 13-digit ISBN in 2007. Libraries will have older material that has the ISBN-10. “Therefore, distributors will need to accept queries that have both types of ISBNs. Queries with 10-digit ISBNs can be algorithmically converted to their 13-digit equivalent in the search process” (Get Ready for the New ISBN!, 2008). Librarians can also convert the 10-digit ISBN by adding the prefix 978 to the beginning of the number. Will media centers have to switch to the 13-digit ISBN when using their own libraries database? The problem lies with having a database with ISBNs of different lengths. The 13-digit ISBNs require recalculation of the check digit. This is a system function and not a user function. What did the Library of Congress do to prepare for this change? “Prior to October 1, 2004 no 13-digit ISBNs will be added to bibliographic records issued by the Library of Congress”( Library of Congress Plan to Accommodate 13-Digit ISBN, 2008).   October 1, 2004, Library of Congress accepted both numbers for the same title. Both ISBNs will be printed on the copy write pages of materials.

            As I stated at the beginning of this report, technology is always changing. It is almost impossible to keep up with top of the line technology. When asked, I usually tell people to assess what their needs are and purchase the technology that best covers their needs. Libraries should do the same. With the ever changing world, media specialists should assess their school’s needs and go from there. Most school libraries do not have the funds to keep up-to-date with the world. Assessing their school’s immediate needs will ensure that the library’s program will provide teachers and students with a rich, technological program.

 

 

 

 

Bibliography

 

Schultz-Jones, Barbara (2006). An Automation Primer for School Library Media Centers

and Small Libraries.  Ohio: Linworth Publishing, Inc.

 

Frequently Asked Questions about the ISBN: Retrieved March 15, 2008, from

 

Are You Ready for ISBN-13?: Retrieved March 15, 2008, from

 

Get Ready for the New ISBN!: Retrieved March 15, 2008, from