Text File

FTP'd from seq1.loc.gov File Library.of.Congress/About.LC/ISSN

ISSN Information on the Internet

INTRODUCTION

What follows this introduction is a slightly updated version of the Library's general information brochure about the ISSN: "ISSN is for Serials." The brochure was prepared by the National Serials Data Program (NSDP), the office within the Library of Congress which assigns International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN.) The brochure gives information about how the ISSN is used and how to obtain an ISSN. The brochure includes an ISSN application form. This introduction augments the brochure by clarifying some of the requirements for obtaining an ISSN, by further discussing ISSN use by the U.S. Postal Service, and by addressing some newly expanding uses of the ISSN, such as its use in bar codes and its applicability to electronic serials.

The ISSN is an internationally recognized identification number for serials. It can be thought of as the "social security number" of the serials world. The ISSN is the serial counterpart of the ISBN (International Standard Book Number). However, NSDP does not assign ISBN numbers. ISBN are assigned by the R.R. Bowker Co., 121 Chanlon Rd., New Providence, NJ 07874.

NSDP is the U.S. center of the International Serials Data System (ISDS), the international body which coordinates assignment and use of the ISSN worldwide. NSDP can only assign ISSN to serials published in the United States. ISSN for serials published outside the United States are assigned by ISDS national centers located in the country of publication, or by the ISDS International Center located in Paris. There are approximately 50 national centers in the ISDS network. For a referral to the appropriate center, please contact the ISDS International Centre, 20, rue Bachaumont, 75002 Paris, France.

ISSN can be assigned to serials published in any medium. Different ISSN are usually required for each physical medium, e.g., print, electronic, sound recording, etc. In order to be considered a serial all issues (except for volumes in unnumbered monographic series) must carry unique numerical or chronological designations (e.g., Vol., No., and/or date) by which individual issues can be identified and distinguished from each other.

The requirement that each serial issues carry a unique designation applies to electronic publications (e.g., CD-ROMs, electronic journals), as well. If an electronic publication is a dynamic database, a bulletin board, or a listserv, it is probably not eligible for an ISSN, but in any case of doubt please contact NSDP.

One major use of the ISSN in the United States is its use by the U.S. Postal Service as an identification number for certain publications mailed at second class rates. However, it is not necessary to have an ISSN before applying for a second class mailing permit; the ISSN can be assigned or confirmed as part of the application process. Also, merely printing the ISSN does not automatically confer any special mailing status on a publication. For specific information about obtaining second class permits, consult your local postmaster.

A growing use of the ISSN is in bar codes. While the ISSN is not used in the UPC code (the code seen primarily on trade and mass market titles) it is used in the EAN and SISAC bar codes. In these two codes, the ISSN constitutes the portion of the code that identifies the title of the serial. Other data in various bar codes can represent the number or date of the issue, or the price. Bar coding of serials is further speeding the efficiencies in serial processing which can be realized through the use of the ISSN. For information about ISSN in the SISAC bar code, contact the Serials Industry Systems Advisory Committee, 160 Fifth Ave., New York, NY 10010 and for information about ISSN in the EAN code, contact the Uniform Code Council, 8163 Old Yankee Road, Dayton, OH 45458.

ISSN can be assigned to serials either before the first issue is published or after publication has begun. ISSN requestors should allow about one month for NSDP to assign the ISSN and send it to them by return mail. There is no charge for an ISSN assignment.

In 1992 an American ISSN friends group, called "AmIS" (as in the French pronunciation) was established to help defray the cost of dues assessed the United States for participation in the International Serials Data System. This dues obligation, one of the several means by which the ISDS International Center is financed, amounted to $100,000 in 1991, of which the Library of Congress could pay only $55,000. AmIS provides the opportunity for those who share in the benefits of the ISSN to help ensure its financial viability. Membership benefits include an annual report containing news from NSDP and ISSN statistics from the previous year, as well as receipt of other ISSN, and ISDS information. Subscriptions to AmIS can be arranged through periodical subscription agents such as Faxon, EBSCO, or a library's regular agent. Brochures listing categories of membership in AmIS are available from NSDP.

National Serials Data Program Library of Congress Washington, DC 20540-4160 8/31/92

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SERIALS DEFINED

Serials are print or non-print publications issued in parts, usually bearing issue numbers and/or dates. A serial is expected to continue indefinitely. Serials include magazines, newspapers, annuals (such as reports, yearbooks, and directories), journals, memoirs, proceedings, transactions of societies, and monographic series.

INTERNATIONAL STANDARD SERIAL NUMBERING

The various and constant changes to which serials are subject, combined with the large growth in the world's publishing output, prompted the development of a standard (ISO 3297-1975; ANSI Z39.9-1979) for the identification of serials: the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN).

A single ISSN uniquely identifies a title regardless of language or country in which published, without the burden of a complex bibliographic description. The ISSN itself has no significance other than the unique identification of a serial.

An ISSN is eight digits long. Always displayed this way: ISSN 1234-5679, the first seven digits serve as the title number and the eighth is a check digit which provides an efficient means for discovering transcription errors. The system used for calculating the check digit sometimes requires a check number of 10, in which case, to prevent a nine-digit ISSN, the roman numeral "X" is substituted.

For each serial with an ISSN there is a corresponding "key title"--a commonly acceptable form of the title established at the time of ISSN assignment. The title provides a benchmark which serves to regulate the assignment of ISSN: if the title of a serial chances, a new ISSN must be assigned.

ADMINISTRATION OF ISSN

The coordination of the ISSN is international, with registration initiated at the national level where serials are published. The National Serials Data Program (NSDP) within the Library of Congress is the U.S. Center of the International Serials Data System (ISDS), which coordinates the two-level network with an International Center in Paris. NSDP is responsible for registering and numbering serials published in the United States and for promoting use of and fulfilling requests for ISSN.

ADVANTAGES OF USE

The ISSN should be as basic a part of a serial as the title. The advantages of using it are abundant and the more the number is used the more benefits will accrue.

1. ISSN provides a useful and economical method of communication between publishers and suppliers, making trade distribution systems faster and more efficient.

2. The ISSN results in accurate citing of serials by scholars, researchers, abstracters, and librarians.

3. As a standard numeric identification code, the ISSN is eminently suitable for computer use in fulfilling the need for file update and linkage, retrieval, and transmittal of data.

4. ISSN is used in libraries for identifying titles, ordering and checking in, and claiming serials.

5. ISSN simplifies interlibrary loan systems and union catalog reporting and listing.

6. The U.S. Postal Service uses the ISSN to regulate certain publications mailed at second-class and controlled circulation rates.

7. The ISSN is an integral component of the journal article citation used to monitor payments to the Copyright Clearance Center Inc.

8. All ISSN registrations are maintained in an international data base and are made available in the ISDS Register, a microfiche publication which is scheduled to cease in the near future, or in "ISSN Compact," a newly-available CD-ROM.

HOW TO OBTAIN ISSN

The assignment of the ISSN is free and there is no charge associated with its use.

The Serial Data Sheet for Publishers on the verso of this brochure can be used for ISSN application. Instructions for supplying the desired bibliographic information for registering the serial in the ISDS data base appear on the form. Whether or not a form is submitted with the ISSN request, a suitable representation of the publication (a sample issue or photocopy of the title page, cover, and masthead) must be provided. Publishers are encouraged to allow sufficient time (approximately one month) for the assignment of the ISSN. When publication deadlines are imminent, requests for ISSN may be sent by Fax. Telephone requests can ONLY be accepted for prepublication assignments, i.e., for ISSN requests for serials which have published NO issues to date.

When requesting an ISSN for an already published serial, send NSDP a sample issue or copy of the cover, title page, and masthead as appropriate. For prepublication requests, a mock-up or artist's conception of the same identifying parts of the publication should be sent, if possible. In these "v. 1, no. 1" cases, a follow-up sample issue or surrogate of the actual serial must be sent directly to NSDP after publication has begun.

HOW TO USE ISSN

To fulfill its purpose, the ISSN should be displayed prominently on every issue, preferably in the top right corner of the cover. It is acceptable, however, for the number to appear elsewhere on the publication (usually in the masthead area). Various user groups--particularly the U.S. Postal Service--have specific printing regulations which must be adhered to.

If the serial has an International Standard Book Number (ISBN) for the individual volumes within a series, in addition to the ISSN for the series as a whole, the two numbers should appear together, each with its own prefix. The ISSN should be printed right after the title of the series, both in books and in advertising pieces. It is appropriate for both ISBN and ISSN to be assigned to certain other types of publications, most notably annuals and other directories or reference publications. The ISBN identifies the particular year or edition, the ISSN identifies the ongoing serial. ISSN should appear on publisher's advertisements (both direct mail and space ads) and catalogs, on the serials themselves, and in all other places where details of books and serials normally appear.

CHANGES AFFECTING ISSN

Serials often undergo changes, many of which result in a change of title. When this occurs a new ISSN must be assigned. The earlier ISSN is not discarded, however, because it is a permanent attribute of the serial when it was issued under the earlier title. To avoid printing an incorrect ISSN, publishers must notify NSDP in advance of a pending title change--especially one affecting the cover title (which is often the source for the key title). The notification will be treated as a request for a new ISSN and the procedure is the same as that for the original ISSN request. Other changes to a serial such as those of imprint and frequency do not affect the ISSN assignment.

Display and careful use of the ISSN will help in the world- wide effort to make the number achieve its intended role as a valuable means of identifying serials.

Library of Congress National Serials Data Program Washington, D.C. 20540-4160

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Library of Congress National Serials Data Program ISSN APPLICATION FORM Washington, D.C. 20540-4160

_________________________________________________________________ For NSDP Use Only

Date received______________________________ ISSN:

___ Req. postpub. issue ___ Call publisher

_________________________________________________________________

Instructions: There is no charge for an ISSN assignment. However, a sample issue or photocopy of the cover, title page and masthead is required either at the time of application or after publication of the first issue of a new serial. Furthermore, application for a new ISSN must be made if the title of the serial changes.

1. Complete this form. 2. Attach a sample issue or photocopy. (If available, a mock-up of the requested pages is suggested for prepublication titles.) 3. Return to NSDP at the above address.

If you have any questions, please contact NSDP for assistance. _________________________________________________________________

1. ___ This is a new serial (no issues of this publication have appeared in print under this title). The first issue will appear ___________________________ (expected date of publication) and will carry the following number and/or date designation, e.g., Vol. 1, no. 1, or issue no. 1, or year, etc. ___________________________________.

___ This is an existing serial which has been published under this title since _________________ (date); the first issue under this title had the following number and/or date designation:_____________________________ .

2. TITLE (from the title pages or the cover if there is no title page) ____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

3. VARIANT FORMS OF THE TITLE on the cover, masthead, or other parts of current issues. ____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

4. EARLIER TITLES which this serial continues__________________

____________________________________________________________

5. PUBLISHING COMPANY ____________________________________________________________

6. CITY AND STATE OF PUBLISHING COMPANY ____________________________________________________________

7. FORMER PUBLISHING COMPANY (if taking over publication from another publishing company ____________________________________________________________

8. FREQUENCY___________________________________________________

9. SINGLE ISSUE PRICE__________________________________________

10. SUBSCRIPTION ADDRESS________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

11. SUBSCRIPTION PRICE__________________________________________

12. ADDITIONAL INFORMATION, COMMENTS, QUESTIONS ________________

____________________________________________________________

____________________________________________________________

13. CONTACT PERSON _____________________________________________

PHONE _____________ FAX _______________ DATE________________

14. I WOULD LIKE ____ additional application forms

____ information on Copyright

____ information on ISSN use by U.S. Postal Service

MAIL NOTIFICATION TO:

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

_________________________________________________________________

HAVE YOU:

* Completed all necessary spaces? * Enclosed a sample issue or mock-up? * Included the expected date of publication for a new serial? * Included a daytime telephone number?

INCOMPLETE APPLICATION FORMS OR FORMS WITHOUT REQUIRED SAMPLE ISSUES OR SURROGATES WILL BE RETURNED.

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Note: This file has been edited for use on computer networks. This editing required the removal of diacritics, underlining, and fonts such as italics and bold. You can obtain a copy of the original by writing to the National Serials Data Program at the above address.

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