What is the ISBN of a book

You've probably noticed that all books that are published and sold, both in physical stores and online, have a small label with a barcode on the back cover. That identifier is called ISBN. In this article we are going to explain What is the ISBN and what is its function?.

ISBN is the acronym for I, that is, a unique identifier number for books. Each published book is assigned a specific numerical string with which it is possible to identify all its basic data: title, publisher, genre, circulation, extension, country, language of original publication, etc.

The idea was born in 1970 with the creation of the International ISBN Agency y the adoption of the international standard ISO 2108, although the current format that we all know dates back to 2007. Originally, it was a code made up of 10 digits divided into four parts: the country code or language of origin, the number corresponding to the editor, the article number and finally a control digit.

This code can be written separated by hyphens or by white spaces, so that it is more readable. A prefix system is also used to avoid repetition. Currently, ISBN codes consist of 13 digits and are accompanied by a barcode. This is its format:

• Prefix (3 digits). There are only two options: 978 or 979.
• Registration group (between 1 and 5 digits). It is used to identify the geographic area or country where the book has been published.
• Holder element (up to 7 digits). Intended to identify the editor or publisher.
• Post item (up to 6 digits). To determine the edition and format of the work.
• Control digit (1 digit). It is calculated based on the previous digits. Its function is to validate the rest of the numbers.

What is the ISBN for?

You could say that the ISBN is a kind of identity document for any published book. This numerical code contains much more information than we could initially imagine: from the title and author to the publisher, circulation, extension, country, format and even the translator's information.

So specific and precise is this identifier that the same work can have different encodings depending on whether it is a digital version, a hardcover edition, a paperback edition, etc. For each of these variations it is necessary to assign a different ISBN. Although the content is the same, from a strictly legal point of view, they are different objects.

This system allows anyone, both professional booksellers and hobbyists and book buyers, to be able to identify and locate the book they need without any room for error.

Interestingly, ebooks do not need to have an ISBN for marketing, although almost all professional editors prefer to include it so that they appear in databases of published books. On the other hand, magazines, newspapers and other serial publications other than books have another type of identification number. Its name is ISSN (International Standard Serial Number). But that's another story.

Where should the ISBN go?

The International ISBN Agency establishes a series of guidelines about what the exact location of the identifying code should be, both in physical and digital books.

Options for printed editions:

• On the verso of the title page.
• At the bottom of the title page.
• At the bottom of the back cover.
• At the bottom of the back of the dust jacket (any other protective sleeve or wrapper also works).

Brianda digital publications, the options are limited to the following: it must always appear on the same page on which the title appears. There are no exceptions.

How to acquire an ISBN

In general, the procedures necessary to register ISBN codes are carried out by publishers. However, more and more individuals who publish their works through independent platforms and who personally take care of all administrative and marketing procedures. If that is your case, you will be interested in knowing what needs to be done to get the ISBN of your book.

In Spain, it is necessary to carry out this procedure through the ISBN Agency. These are the steps to follow:

1. Request: The interested party must fill out the official form with your personal data and billing information. It is necessary to attach a copy of your DNI or NIF.
2. Payment through the Agency's POS, by credit or debit card. Payments via PayPal are also accepted.*
3. Confirmation by email. In the message, the applicant will receive an access link to the ISBN platform where they must complete the bibliographic data form for the work to be published.
4. Register. Once it is verified that the bibliographic data is correctly entered, the book will be included in the ISBN Registry. The applicant receives, as proof, a PDF with the Registry certificate.

(*) The fee to pay ranges from 45 euros for the normal process (which usually takes about 4 days) and 95 euros for the urgent processing. The ISBN invoice is issued by the Federation of Editors' Guilds of Spain (FGEE).

ISBN, is it necessary or not?

The last question we asked ourselves, and which is actually the same question that many independent authors ask themselves, is whether it is really necessary to publish a book with an ISBN. Well, the answer is that since 2009 It is not mandatory, although it is highly recommended.

The reasons are what we have already explained in this article: it greatly facilitates the search in the internal editorial circuit. In fact, When publishing a work through a traditional publishing house, it is an essential procedure.

However, self-published authors who do not aspire for their book to move through the bookstore circuit through distributors can dispense with this procedure. The best known example is that of Amazon, which allows us to publish and market a work through its network using our own coding system (the ASIN number). There are many who, faced with the difficulty of having their works accepted by a publisher, opt for this modality. And I know that some are doing really well.