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Subject: Introduction to the ISSN (Please Read First)

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* ISSN Numbers: An Introduction *

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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

***Last update 6/8/93 (efm)****

--

Nigel Allen ae446@freenet.carleton.ca

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