LET'S TALK ABOUT ISBN

We have all seen the bar code at the back of books but most of us are unaware of what it is for and it's importance.

Let's talk about ISBN!

1. ISBN stands for International Standard Book Number and is a 13-digit number that identifies published books. Once assigned to a book, an ISBN can never be reused.

2. WHSmith, the largest book retailer in Great Britain, launched the Standard Book Numbering (SBN) system in 1967 as a way to organize books in its new computerized warehouse.

3. An ISBN identifies the registrant, title, edition and format of products used by publishers, bookstores, libraries, etc.

4. Most bookstores will not feature or sell any book that is not first listed within their warehouse database. To get there, your book must have a unique ISBN.

5. ISBNs were 10 digits in length until 2007, when they expanded to 13 digits.

6. The ISBN does not provide any form of legal or copyright protection. However, some countries legally require the use of an ISBN to identify publications.

7. The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) system was introduced in 1972 and in India, it was put into operation in 1985 by Raja Rammohan National Agency for ISBN.

8. While publishing a book, authors or publishers may decide not to have an ISBN. But, it is always a good idea to get one ISBN allocated for the book. ISBN helps to provide the book an international identity and facilitates the sale of the book to different bookstores, distribution channels, and libraries throughout different countries.