ISBN-13 Launch is Fast Approaching

January 1st is fast approaching and we will soon be seeing only 13 digit ISBNs when we order and catalog our materials. What will this mean for technical services? Are you ready for the change?

Here are the main points you need to know:

• Following January 1st, most publishers will only accept orders submitted using the new 13 digit ISBN for the requested item.
• A few publishers may not be ready for the change over on January 1st. If unsure, check with your publishers to see how long they will continue to accept the 10 digit ISBN for orders, credits and returns.
• Most items now will show both the 10 digit and the 13 digit ISBN on the bar code. The 10 digit is located above the bar code, while the 13 digit (beginning with 978) will show along the bottom of the bar code.
• 978 is a prefix that will be used along with the first 9 digits of the 10 digit ISBN. The last digit is a check digit which may vary from the original 10 digit ISBN. Once publishers have exhausted the 978 combinations, they will continue with a 979 prefix.
• Some automation vendors have already developed conversion tools to convert your 10 digit ISBN to a 13 digit ISBN. Check with your automation vendor to determine whether their conversion tool is available and in what version of the software.
• If you need to manually convert your ISBNs, there are tools available online. Here’s one example: http://www.isbn.org/converterpub.asp

Some Additional Resources:

• BISG’s Webinars about ISBN-13: http://www.meetingbridge.com/seminar/Seminar.aspx?SeminarCd=40840587
• ISBN Readiness Director: http://www.bisg.org/isbn-13/survey/isbn_directory.html
• ISBN Transition by Bowker: http://www.isbn.org/standards/home/isbn/transition.asp#01
• NISO’s FAQ -- Get Ready for the New ISBN: http://www.niso.org/standards/resources/ISBN.html

If you would like for the State Library to offer training or an open discussion of the ISBN-13 transition, please email me at stetterton@statelibrary.sc.gov or comment on this posting.