Trinidad and Tobago ISBN Agency

Frequently Asked Questions

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What is an ISBN? The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a ten digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products published internationally. What is the purpose of an ISBN? The purpose of the ISBN is to establish and identify one title or edition from one specific publisher and is unique to that edition and format. It is used by publishers, booksellers and libraries for ordering, listing and stock control purposes. What is the format of the ISBN? Every ISBN consists of ten digits and whenever it is printed it is preceded by the letters ISBN. The ten digit number is divided into four parts of variable length, each part separated by a hyphen. What do the numbers stand for? The four parts of an ISBN are as follows: Group or country identifier which identifies a national or geo- graphic grouping of publishers; Publisher identifier which identifies a particular publisher within a group; Title identifier which identifies a particular title or edition of a title; Check digit is the single digit at the end of the ISBN which vali- dates the ISBN. Why do some ISBNs end in an X? In the case of the check digit, the last digit of the ISBN, the upper case X can appear. The Roman numeral X is used in lieu of 10 where ten would occur as a check digit. Do I have to have an ISBN? There is no legal requirement to have an ISBN, and it conveys no legal or copyright protection. Who assigns an ISBN? ISBNs are assigned by ISBN group agencies worldwide coordinated by the International ISBN Agency in Berlin. The Caricom Secretariat in Guyana is the Regional ISBN Agency for the Caribbean, and there are national agencies in Jamaica, Barbados, Belize and Trinidad and Tobago. Who is eligible for an ISBN? The ISBN agency allocates ISBNs at the direct request of publishers (including self-publishers). All publishers who have a residence or office in Trinidad and Tobago and who are publishing their material within Trinidad and Tobago are eligible for an ISBN from the TT ISBN Agency. The TT ISBN Agency cannot assign ISBNs to foreign publishers. I am not a publisher, can I still obtain an ISBN? Yes. A publisher is the group, organization, company or individual who is responsible for originating the production of a publication. Normally, it is also the person or body who bears the cost in making the product available. It is not normally the printer. What is eligible for an ISBN? An ISBN should be allocated to printed books and pamphlets, microfiche publications, book readings on cassette and educational videos, multimedia kits containing printed material, educational computer software, and online publications. In general, a publication must be 'book-like' to receive an ISBN. Websites do not qualify. An ISBN should not be allocated to ephemeral material such as diaries, calendars, theatre and concert programs, advertising material or prospectuses, sheet music which is unbound and without a title page, or art prints and art folders without a title page or text. Serial publications such as newspapers, magazines and annual reports should receive an ISSN (International Standard Serial Number). What is a 'block' of numbers? Part of the function of an ISBN is to uniquely locate a publisher, as well as a publication. The group of numbers at the beginning of an ISBN is the specific publisher's prefix, which determines the block of numbers, which is the publisher's own. You can choose which size block you think you will need. How are ISBNs allocated to multi-format/multi-volume works? An ISBN must be allocated to whole set of volumes of a multi-volume work; also, if the individual volumes of the set are sold separately, each volume must have its own ISBN. Even when each volume is not sold separately, the allocation of an ISBN to each volume is advisable. It facilitates the handling of returns (damaged volumes), and eliminates the possibility of confusion over specific publications. Each volume should list all ISBNs, e.g.:   ISBN 1 86452 034 5 (Vol 1) ISBN 1 86452 035 3 (Vol 2) ISBN 1 86452 033 7 (set)   Similar rules apply to kits (e.g. a CD-ROM with accompanying booklet). If any part is available separately, a separate ISBN must be allocated to each part, and to the kit as a whole. Can I reuse an ISBN from an old publication? No. Once an ISBN has been allocated to a finished publication, it can never be reallocated to a new publication or different versions/editions. How are ISBNs allocated to pre-existing publications? Reprints of a publication must use the same ISBN (a variation in price will not necessitate a new number). For our purposes, a reprint has less than 5% change in content. Reprints do not require different ISBNs, while new editions do.   In general, new ISBNs should be allocated when there will be:   A new title A new publisher A new format e.g. hardback to paperback, or A4 to A5 size More than 5% change in content New ISBNs should not be allocated when there will be:   A new cover design A new price A new marketing strategy Do I need more than one ISBN if I am producing more than one version of a publication? Yes. Paperback, hardback, CD-ROM, video, audio book etc. versions of a title will each need separate ISBNS. Where and how is the ISBN printed? The ISBN should be printed with the letters 'ISBN' preceding it on:   the reverse of the title page of a book, along with copyright and publisher information the lower section of the outside back cover the foot of the title page if there is no space elsewhere the bottom of the back dust jacket the base of the spine (only if the book is paperback) the label of the container if the publication is issued in it (cassette, diskette, CD-ROM, etc.) the title display, or the first display (CD-ROM, internet publications) the credit titles (film, video)   Use either spaces or hyphens to separate the different parts of the ISBN (e.g. 0-646-40028-2 or 0 646 40028 2).