ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
Business Profile
Core Value Proposition
[The International ISBN Agency] provides global ISBN registration authority and coordination for the International Standard Book Number (ISBN), the essential identifier for books.
Target Customer
{"Publishers","ISBN registration agencies","Libraries / information institutions","Book industry stakeholders"}
Key Differentiator
Global coordination with a local network (150 regional or national registration agencies) and acting as the official global registration authority for ISBN, used in more than 200 countries and territories.
Implementation Timeline
Not specified in the content; value is implied upon adoption of ISBN registration and use across the global network.
Pain Points
- 1Need for a single, standardized identifier for books across markets to streamline the supply chain.
- 2Fragmentation of ISBN administration across countries/regions requiring coordination and governance.
- 3Desire for reliable tools and resources (e.g., ISBN calculator, ranges, and publisher registry) to manage ISBN assignments consistently.
Key Features
- 1Global authority and coordination for ISBN (registration authority for the Standard on a global basis).
- 2Network of 150 regional or national ISBN registration agencies.
- 3Access to ISBN ranges, barcode guidance, and related policies.
- 4Tools and resources: ISBN Users’ Manual, ISBN Calculator, Global Register of Publishers, Find an Agency tool.
- 5Governance and updates through ISO and the International ISBN Agency’s publications and news.
Target Customer Industries
Client Results
- 1Improved efficiency of the book industry supply chain through a unified, globally recognized identifier.
- 2Global reach with ISBN usage across 200+ countries and territories, enabling consistent identification of titles, editions, and formats.
- 3Expansion of the ISBN registration network (e.g., new national agencies such as Burkina Faso’s national library taking on agency responsibilities).
Competitive Advantages
- 1Global standard with a robust local network of agencies (150 agencies).
- 2Official global registration authority for ISBN, ensuring consistency and governance.
- 3Extensive geographic coverage (ISBN used in 200+ countries and territories).
- 4Rich set of tools and resources (manuals, calculators, publisher registry) to support ISBN management.
Key Benefits
Case Studies & Success Stories
Burkina Faso ISBN registration agency begins operations
In August 2025, the ISBN registration agency for Burkina Faso began operations. The agency is run by the Bibliothèque nationale du Burkina and will support publishing and the use of international standards; previously publishers in Burkina Faso used a proxy arrangement with AFNIL (France).
Additional Product Information
Product Description
Global ISBN registration authority and coordination service that governs the ISBN standard and supports its use across publishers, libraries, and book trade worldwide.
Target Market
Publishers; ISBN registration agencies; book industry stakeholders; libraries
Unique Value Proposition
A globally coordinated ISBN system with a comprehensive national/regional agency network that provides authoritative registration, standardization, and access to tools and resources for managing ISBNs worldwide.
Technical Requirements
Not specified in the content.
Pricing Model
Not disclosed in the content.
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