different records carrying different forms of the same ISBN. Conversely, libraries whose

catalogues are accessible for search via remote client systems will also need to consider

the impact of changes to those catalogues.

Libraries will need to consider the effect of changes in both their systems and in remote

systems in respect of links to and from a variety of content and services based on ISBNs.

These may include catalogue enrichments such as jacket images, tables of contents,

summaries, and reviews, as well as web based book retailers, reading list systems, link

servers, the corporate portal, the Virtual Learning Environment, and access to the full text

of e books.

Within the administration modules of library systems there may need to be changes such

as form field lengths, validation routines, and screen and print layouts. Interlibrary loan

systems may depend on ISBNs for matching. There may be software that uses ISBNs for

matching and de duplicating bibliographic records when they are imported either online or

in batches. 

Libraries' systems will need to work with 13 digit ISBNs for all aspects of book purchasing,

including all transactions with booksellers, by 1 January 2007 at the latest. Librarians and

their system suppliers should be coordinating with book suppliers and appropriate trade

organisations to establish transitional arrangements as soon as possible. Standard EDI

formats such as EDIFACT provide for both ISBN (i.e., 10 digit) and EAN, so both elements

could be exchanged for a transitional period. It should be noted that these considerations

apply not only to printed books but to e books and all other materials identified by ISBN as

well.

Although proprietary bar coding of accession numbers (i.e., individual copies) of books will

not change, bar code scanners that are used for data entry or search input of ISBNs from

the EAN bar code, which currently output 10 digit ISBNs, will need to be re programmed.

ISBN implementation changes

The new standard will include a revision of the guidelines for the scope of ISBN use.

These are unlikely to change significantly from the existing guidelines in terms of the

applicability of ISBN to eligible products or the rules about format and edition changes.

They will, however, be rewritten to accommodate newer forms of publication such as the

delivery of electronic publications (e books).  Complete information about the scope of the

ISBN may be found by consulting the 

ISBN Users'

Manual

 and ISBN agencies.

Timing for the use of 13 digit ISBNs

There is likely to be a fairly long transition period leading up to the adoption of 13 digit

ISBNs on 1 January 2007;  the speed with which the industry moves forward will depend

on the requirements of individual trading partners. Some organisations implementing new

systems are likely to want to force the pace by requiring their trading partners to adopt

13 digit ISBNs sooner rather than later. This in turn may lead to a chain reaction that

makes 13 digit ISBNs widely used ahead of 2007.

Since publishers will inevitably be holding stock carrying 10 digit ISBNs for many years to

come, they may feel that it would be sensible to move towards printing the 13 digit ISBN

on their books as soon as possible, in conjunction with the 10 digit ISBN until 2007. It is

highly recommended that, if this decision is taken, the numbers should appear on the title

page verso, and the book cover if there is no bar code, in the following style:

ISBN 13: 978 1 873671 00 9

ISBN 10:1 873671 00 8

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