How to Obtain ISBN & Bar Code
An International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a method of identification issued to books for purposes of shipping and tracking. Different editions of the same book receive different ISBNs. You may have noticed that the numbers appear as either ISBN-10 or ISBN-13. This signifies a move from 10-digit to 13-digit numbers to accommodate the growing number of titles. According to the ISBN Web site, the "X" that appears at the end of the number stands in for the number 10; the last number is referred to as a "check digit." The ISBN-13 has five parts: the prefix, group or country identifier, publisher identifier, title or edition identifier and the check digit. The bar code represents a translation of the ISBN.
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Instructions
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Visit the ISBN Web site (see References) to get an ISBN. There you will also find price listings. The numbers are available for purchase in blocks of 10, 100 and 1,000. If you require only a single ISBN, they are offered from the My Identifiers Web site (see References).
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Click the ISBN US tab at the top of the ISBN Web site if you are publishing within the United States. If you are publishing outside the U.S., click the ISBN Int'l tab, then click the link for ISBN Group Agencies. You will be taken to the International ISBN Agency Web site (see Resources), where you will be required to select your national agency and apply directly through them. (Select "International Agency," then click the link for "National Agency.")
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3
Click the link "Application for an ISBN Publisher Prefix," then select the appropriate link to apply for the ISBN. Options are to apply for a single ISBN, to apply as a new publisher for a block of ISBNs, or to re-apply for more ISBNs. You may also choose to submit a print application.
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Go to the Bowker Bar Code Web site (see References) to purchase a bar code or a bar code and ISBN at the same time. Click the "Order Bar Codes" link to be taken to the application for publishers who have existing ISBN prefixes. If you have never purchased an ISBN before, clicking the appropriate link will redirect you to the ISBN Web site, where you will be required to apply for a new publisher prefix (see steps 1 through 3).
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Fill out the bar code application. ISBN/bar codes may be purchased singly or in blocks of up to 20. To purchase more than 20, e-mail barcodes@bowker.com.
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Tips & Warnings
The ISBN Web site posts a recommendation that publishers purchase enough ISBNs to last them for five years. This is for a few reasons. The more numbers purchased, the less they cost. You will also be able to maintain the same publisher prefix for a longer period of time.
Most retailers use the bar code for scanning during checkout and sometimes for inventory, and most retailers and wholesalers will not carry your book without a bar code.
