ISBN

ISBN Layout

An ISBN or an International Standard Book Number is a standardized and unique 10 to 13-digit number on the back of every single book to help search for them quickly. The system is used internationally allowing ease for libraries and bookstores across the world to classify books.

History

In 1967 W. H. Smith, the largest single book retailer in Great Britain, created a standard numbering system for books it carried. Originally this was just called SBN or Standard Book Numbering. At the same time the International Organization for Standardization made plans to adapt British SBN to become internationally used. A meeting was set up with representatives from various countries and an observer from UNESCO in 1968. As a result from various meetings the ISBN was approved as an ISO standard in 1970 and became ISO 2108. That original standard has since been revised as book media has appeared in new forms of media, but the basis has remained the same.

Contemporary Usage

While smartphones, kindles, etc. are our go to for e-reading today, early types of e-reading devices launched in 1992 with the Sony Data Discman. In the early 2000's there was a debate about whether publishing companies should use a numbering system different from the ISBN for e-books. After investigating, this idea was viewed as useless and would make things more difficult when trying to find a book.

Obtaining an ISBN has become more difficult since it's launch as now publishers have to register their number. This has become a huge barrier for self-publishing authors because ISBN's are typically acquired through a publishing company. However, this has even become a difficulty in small publishers as they can sometimes misuse the numbers.