This document discusses the key differences and similarities between ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) and ISBN (International Standard Book Number). Both are used for identification and standardization of publications. ISSN is an 8-digit number for serial publications like journals and newspapers, while ISBN is a 10 or 13-digit number for books. ISSN is assigned by the International ISSN Center while ISBN is assigned by national ISBN agencies. A single publication can have both an ISSN and ISBN if it is part of a serial collection.

1. ISSN-ISBN: The Basics
Mira K Desai
Associate Professor
University Department of Extension Education

2. Similarities
• They indicate serial numbers.
• They are used for identification and
standardization purposes.
• They have global currency.
• They refer to print publications of different
nature- now electronic included.
• They are useful in Electronic archiving,
cataloguing and distribution, subscriptions and
management of titles.

3. Differences
ISSN
• International Standard
Serial Number
• 8-digits
• 1976
• France and UNESCO
• Free
• Continuing resource- Serial
publication- Ongoing
Integrating resource
• http://www.issn.org/
ISBN
• International Standard
Book Number
• 10-digits now 13-digits
• 1970
• US
• Depending upon national
office may be charged
• Books
• http://rrrlf.nic.in/isbn.asp

4. Differences
ISSN
• International office or
country office
• Journals, newspapers, or
other types of serials annual
publications (reports,
directories, lists, etc.),
journals, magazines,
collections, websites,
databases, blogs, etc.
• All continuing resources,
irrespective of their
medium (print or electronic)
ISBN
• ISBN registration agency
• Text-based monographic
publications (i.e. one-off
publications
• Different product form (e.g.
paperback, EPUB, .pdf) should
be identified separately.
• Unlike the ISBN, which contains
country and publisher prefixes,
the ISSN contains no inherent
meaning.
• Has many bar codes as indicator
of nature of publication.

5. Process of Application?
ISSN
• Publishers should complete
an application form and
send it to the Centre
(http://nsl.niscair.res.in/issn
.jsp) together with a
representation of the serial
(either a sample issue, or
print ready copy, publisher
information, and any other
pages giving information
about the serial.
ISBN
• The publisher of the book
should apply for the ISBN
which may be group,
organisation, company or
individual who is
responsible for initiating the
production of a publication.
• Has to apply to national
ISBN agency.

6. Agencies
ISSN
ISBN
International ISBN Agency
https://www.isbn-international.org/
http://www.issn.org/

7. Indian National Centre for ISSN
Country code: IND
Centre code: 20
Indian National Centre for ISSN NISCAIR
14, Satsang Vihar Marg
Special Institutional Area
New Delhi-110067
New Delhi
Tel: +91-11.2651 6672 / 2653 4535
Website: http://nsl.niscair.res.in/issn.jsp

8. Raja Rammohun Roy National Agency for
ISBN
West Block-I, Wing-6, 2nd Floor,
Sector -I, R.K. Puram,
New Delhi-110066
Phone: +91-11-26172903/26172916
National Agency for ISBN

9. Why you need ISSN?
• Bibliographical tool: students, researchers, writers of summaries
and librarians can use it to give the precise references.
• Standardised identification digital code, used in IT applications to:
- update files,
- establish links between different files, and
- search for and exchange data.
• Libraries use the ISSN to: identify titles, order and verify serial
publications, and claim missing issues. It also simplifies lending
operations between libraries, as well as controls and verifications
on union catalogues.
• The ISSN is a practical and cost-effective communication tool
between publishers and suppliers.
• It helps commercial distribution systems to be fast and efficient.

10. Why you need ISBN?
• International Standard Numbering System for
Books, Software, Mixed Media etc. in
Publishing, Distribution, and Library Practices
• While an ISBN is not required to publish a
book, it is needed if one wants to sell it
through standard book distribution channel.

11. Examples
ISSN
ISBN

12. Can a Publication has both numbers?
• This situation occurs most commonly with
books in a series and with annuals or
biennials. The ISBN identifies the individual
book in a series or a specific year for an
annual or biennial. The ISSN identifies the
ongoing series, or the ongoing annual or
biennial serial.