If you, or your department, are publishing a book, a report, a journal, a working paper series etc., an ISBN or ISSN is often required. But what for?
The purpose of both ISBN and ISSN is to help unequivocally identify books and periodicals as both are unique international identifiers. Assigning a number makes the processing of long bibliographic and descriptive records redundant. The correct application of ISBN/ISSN allows for clear differentiation between different product forms and editions, whether printed or digital.
Books - ISBN
The ISBN (International Standard Book Number) is a unique numeric commercial book identifier. Publishers can purchase/request (the initial 100 are free of charge) ISBNs from an affiliate of the International ISBN Agency. An ISBN is assigned to each edition and variation (except re-print) of a book. For example, an e-book, a paperback, and a hardcover edition of the same book will each sport a different ISBN.
In Denmark, ISBNs are managed by Dansk ISBN-Kontor, a section under Dansk BiblioteksCenter.
Visit the ISBN International website
Periodicals - ISSN
The ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is an eight-digit number which identifies periodical publications as such, including electronic serials.
The number is assigned to a title either by national centers or by the Paris-based International Centre.
Publishers of Danish periodicals (i.e. periodicals published in Denmark) may apply for an ISSN from ISSN Denmark, a part of the Royal Library.
ISSN Denmark – The Royal Library
Please direct all queries to your liaison librarian