Preface to the Fifth Edition

The International Standard Book Number has been a remarkable success story since its

inception in 1968 as the  Standard Book Number  (SBN) in the United Kingdom. Within a

year the SBN was transformed into the International SBN, and was extended from a

nine digit to a ten digit number. Since its ratification by ISO as International Standard 2108

in 1970, the international coordination of the ISBN system has been the responsibility of

the International ISBN Agency in Berlin, a unit within the Berlin State Library. At present,

166 countries are members of the ISBN system.

The success of the ISBN together with the development and popularity of electronic

publications gave rise to concern regarding the overall capacity of the current ISBN system

in ten digit form. It was decided to revise the standard using the EAN/Bookland version of

the number as the new, thirteen digit identifier to secure capacity for many years to come.

A number of alternatives were assessed, but this was regarded as the most convenient

solution since the trade was quite familiar with it as the bar coded form of the ISBN.

Furthermore, EAN.UCC, the regulators for bar coding internationally, declared their

readiness to provide additional three digit EAN prefixes, effectively guaranteeing the future

capacity of the system. 

During the revision process the opportunity was taken to examine and redefine the scope

of material that is applicable for identification by ISBN. The new standard incorporates

chapters of publications, even articles (when made available separately) as eligible within

its scope. Included in this manual is an extensive Frequently Asked Questions section to

help users with the correct application of the numbering system as well as guidance

towards implementing the thirteen digit ISBN. To assist ONIX users, a dedicated section

specifies the kernel metadata for ISBN. Additionally, to create a firm foundation for the

future, ISBN is becoming formalised as a membership based organisation, maintained by

contributions from all locally appointed agencies. Further details of the new governance

structure are dealt with in separate documents.

The 

ISBN Users' Manual

 is the official commentary on the text of the ISO approved

standard; it translates its general provisions into concrete guidelines and provides

illustrative examples. The manual is published simultaneously with the release of the new

standard by ISO to assist agencies and publishers both in the transition period up to 1

January 2007 and to establish good ISBN practice in terms of the new scope and

principles of assignment.  In particular, the more detailed information on eligible products,

electronic publications, etc., will be welcome to users now 

they are not linked to a date

or deadline.

The present 

Users' Manual

 was prepared by a number of ISBN agencies, and includes

much input from the international representatives on the ISO 2108 revision working group,

under the able coordination of Stella Griffiths (UK ISBN Agency); the contributors deserve

the thanks of the whole ISBN community.

Needless to say, given that the application of ISBN is dynamic, this manual will certainly

undergo small changes in the future. Nevertheless, it should be regarded as a reliable

guide for the next ten years.

January 2005, Berlin

Hartmut Walravens

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