What is the purpose of an ISBN?
An ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a controlled, 10- or 13-digit identification number allowing publishers, libraries, and book dealers to locate books. Having an ISBN means that your book will appear in bibliographic databases. Booksellers go to these databases to help them locate the publisher of a book so they can order it.
An ISBN is like a zip code for a book. The first five digits of the ISBN identify the book's publisher; no two publishers have the same ISBN prefix. This "zip code" tells bookstores and online retailers where they can order a book. If you purchase Published by Lulu to obtain an ISBN, the ISBN will include Lulu's ISBN prefix and Lulu will be listed as the publisher of record. If you purchase Published by You to obtain an ISBN, you will be able to register as the official publisher. For more information on the history and purpose of ISBNs, see http://www.isbn.org.
Do I need an ISBN?
An ISBN is not needed to publish on Lulu.
An ISBN is needed to have a book distributed outside of Lulu and entered into the book industry commerce chain. Each version of a book — paperback, hardcover, second edition — must have a different ISBN. A unique ISBN distinguishes between different versions of a book, helping customers to be sure that they are ordering the book they want.
For information on how to obtain an ISBN, see the Distribution FAQ. For more information on ISBNs and how they work, visit the U.S. ISBN Agency’s FAQs.
ISBNs are not for serial publications (magazines, journals, etc.) For more information, see Can I get an ISBN for my periodical publication (magazine, etc.)?
Last updated: 2008-11-13 13:25:10 | Back to top
Should I have a 13-digit ISBN or a 10-digit ISBN?
As of January 1, 2007, all book and book-related products must carry 13-digit ISBNs. Lulu now issues a 13-digit ISBN with each Distribution Service purchase. These books will have the 13-digit ISBN with hyphenations above the bar code and the identical 13-digit EAN (European American Number) without hyphens or spaces below the bar code.
All ISBNs that were initially issued with 10 digits will not change. They will be supported indefinitely in retail distribution channels, but they will also have a corresponding 13-digit ISBN. To create this corresponding 13-digit ISBN, the 3-digit EAN prefix "978" will be added to the 10-digit ISBN, and its check digit (the last digit) will change. For example, a Lulu ISBN will go from 1-4116-1234-5 to 978-1-4116-1234-1. (Would you like to calculate your 13-digit ISBN?)
Bar codes for 10-digit ISBNs will not change. They will still carry the original 10-digit ISBN with hyphenations above the bar code and the 13-digit EAN without hyphens or spaces below the bar code. As each ISBN agency exhausts its supply of 10-digit ISBNs in various prefix ranges, the International ISBN Agency will issue complete 13-digit ISBNs carrying the new EAN prefix "979". The EAN prefix "979" cannot be used on existing 10-digit ISBNs.
Important information on the implementation and guidelines of the 13-digit ISBN can be found on the International ISBN Agency site: http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/transition.asp
Last updated: 2008-11-13 13:25:15 | Back to top
Last updated: 2008-11-13 13:25:22
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