Numbers game - ISBN and ISSN explained

Finding a special 'value-add' in manufacturing is not always easy. Often it can be found in knowledge developed from the questions your clients ask. These can form a pattern that identifies an information gap. If you can fill that gap you are value-adding by providing a new level of customer service or even creating a new 'chargeable' service.

Printing Industries receives many questions from its members, amongst which is a group related to publishing. Some clients assume that, if you print it, you must know all there is to know about publishing. Some of the most frequent questions relate to obtaining ISBN or ISSN registration and the requirements for legal deposit – who should do it and how? Knowing the answers may provide a value-added service to your clients and help promote your business.

ISBN is for books.

An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a 10-digit product number, used by publishers, booksellers and libraries for ordering, listing and stock control purposes. It enables them to identify a particular publisher, and a specific edition of a specific title in a specific format.

Not everything needs an ISBN. Excluded are diaries, calendars, theatre and concert programs, advertising material or prospectuses, unbound sheet music without a title page, art prints and art folders. ISBN doesn't provide any legal or copyright protection. It simply allows more efficient marketing of products by booksellers, libraries, universities, wholesalers and distributors.

Usually the publisher, organisation, company or individual who is responsible for originating the production obtains the ISBN. There is no requirement for the printer to do it - but it can be done on behalf of clients if requested - either as part of your customer service or as a chargeable service.

The ISBN Agency is run by Thorpe-Bowker Ph: (03) 8645 0385 website: www.thorpe.com.au/isbn/

ISSN is for series.

An ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is a unique code for the identification of serial publications. It is the serials equivalent of the ISBN.

Serial publications comprise parts issued in sequence and linked by a common title. Usually each part bears an issue number and/or date. Serials are intended to continue indefinitely, and include periodicals, newspapers, newsletters, annual reports, yearbooks, directories and journals.

Multi-volume books are not considered to be serials since publishing is planned as a limited number of volumes - even if all volumes are not issued simultaneously.

As with ISBNs, there is no legal requirement, publishers are responsible for obtaining them but printers may do this as an added service.

The National Library of Australia supplies ISSN free of charge. Ph: (02) 6262 1213. Website: www.nla.gov.au/services/issnabout.htmll

ISBNs and ISSNs should appear in a prominent position on each issue, i.e. near the title or publisher details on the reverse of the title page.

Barcodes are used increasingly in stock control and usually appear on the back cover. The Australian ISBN Agency will supply ISBN barcodes for $36 ea. The National Library refers all enquiries to: EAN Australia Ph: (03) 9569 9755, website: www.ean.com.au


Legal deposit.


Legal deposit is a statutory provision under the Copyright Act 1968 and various State Acts, obliging publishers to deposit copies of their publications with the National Library of Australia and the appropriate State Libraries.

Legal deposit is necessary to ensure the works of authors and publishers survive for the use of future generations and to assist research into all aspects of Australian life.

Some 1300 libraries throughout Australia provide access to the online cataloguing system listing all Legal Deposit publications. This provides opportunities for the additional sale of publications to the public, libraries seeking stock and government departments.

Publications covered usually include books; periodicals such as newspapers, newsletters and annual reports; catalogues, brochures, pamphlets, a piece of sheet music, map, plan, chart, table and program. Some state legislation requires material published in electronic format such as CDs and computer disks.

Generally, a single copy is required and is usually provided by the 'publisher'. Again, there is an opportunity for printing companies to manage this process as part of their customer service commitment or as a paid service.

Further information is available on these topics through Printing Industries, website: www.printnet.com.au.

Bio:
Joe Kowalewski is National Director, Marketing and Media Services for the Printing Industries Association of Australia. He can be contacted on (02) 8789 7300 e-mail: joe@printnet.com.au.