FUNCTIONS OF THE NATIONAL ISBN AGENCY

• To promote participation in the ISBN system within the country.
• To manage and administer the affairs of the national agency.
• To decide in cooperation with publishers and their representative agencies, the range of publisher identifiers required.
• To allocate publisher identifiers to eligible publishers and to maintain a register of publishers and their identifiers.
• To advise publishers on the correct and proper implementation of the system.
• To provide materials and resources that ensure the proper implementation of the ISBN standard.
• To make available computer print-outs of ISBNs to publishers numbering their own books with check digits already calculated.
• To inform publishers of any invalid or duplicate ISBNs assigned to them.
• To provide technical advice to publishers and ensure that standards and approved procedures are observed.
• To maintain liaison with all elements of the book industry and introduce new publishers to the system.
• To keep and make available the files of assigned publisher identifiers and title numbers.
• To handle relations with the Regional ISBN Agency on behalf of all the publishers in Trinidad and Tobago.
• To report regularly to the Regional ISBN Agency.

BENEFITS OF USING AN ISBN FOR PUBLISHING HOUSES

The ISBN serves as unique identifier for:

• Monographic publications, from manuscript through all editorial and Manufacture processes until the item is finished
• Stock control
• Ordering
• Accounting
• Handling of returns
• Sales data monitoring
• Right and royalty management

BENEFITS OF USING AN ISBN FOR BOOK TRADERS

The ISBN serves as a unique identifier for:

• Ordering/teleordering
• Accounting and billing
• Bibliographic searches
• Stock control
• Electronic point-of-sale systems
• Books in Print directories

BENEFITS OF USING AN ISBN FOR LIBRARIES

The ISBN serves as a unique identifier for:

• Ordering
• Information retrieval
• Copy cataloguing
• Circulation and interlending
• National lending rights
• The national bibliography

While borders are closed, the only available method of payment for ISBNs is via Wire Transfer. This will cost US$25.00 in addition to the regular fees and does not include the costs charged by your personal bank.

To Apply for ISBN via Wire Transfer

Send an email to Sonelle.Lewis-Archibald@nalis.gov.tt confirming your willingness to pay via Wire Transfer, along with a completed, clearly scanned copy (JPEG or PDF) of your application form.

You will receive an email with Wire Transfer details and the exact amount you should pay.

Once funds have been confirmed by CARICOM, you will receive another email confirming your assigned ISBN or in the case of Block applications, you will receive a confirmation email with your next steps.

• Applicants applying for one – two titles can fill out ISBN FORM – SINGLE.
• Applicants applying for a block should fill out ISBN FORM – BLOCK.
• Applicants applying for three or more titles are advised to apply for a block of 10.

Completed application forms, along with payment (US bank draft), must be submitted to the ISBN Agency two (2) months prior to intended date of publication. Applications will not be processed until fees are received.

ISBN Application Forms can be downloaded from the links below:

• ISBN Form - Single


• ISBN Form - Block

CONTACT THE TT ISBN AGENCY

Address:   

Trinidad and Tobago ISBN Agency
National Library and Information System Authority
Technical Services Division
National Library Building
Hart and Abercromby Streets
Port of Spain, Trinidad, W.I.

Mailing Address:

Trinidad and Tobago ISBN Agency
National Library and Information System Authority
PO Box 547, Port of Spain, Trinidad, W.I.

Telephone: (868) 624-4466, 623-6962, 627-8507 ext. 2018

Fax: (868) 625-6096

Email: isbn@nalis.gov.tt