International Standard Book Number (ISBN)
The ISBN is the standardised 13-digit
international number that uniquely identifies a monographic publication. It
benefits and allows publishers, book suppliers and libraries worldwide to
easily locate and order items.
The National Library serves as the
ISBN National Agency for Singapore and issues Singapore ISBNs to material
published in Singapore by Singapore publishers.
Benefits of ISBN
The benefits of having an ISBN for
your publication include:
-
It uniquely
identifies your publication internationally forever.
-
It allows
quick access to information about your publication in book-trade
directories and bibliographic databases.
-
It allows
fast and efficient ordering and distribution of your publication.
Applying for an ISBN
Singapore and Singapore-based publishers who publish either a book, book-related product or a pamphlet/brochure of eight pages or more in Singapore, can apply for Singapore ISBNs.
Publishers are required to create an account in Deposit Web and submit an online form to apply for an ISBN.
Eligible
Singapore and Singapore-based Publishers are as follows:
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Individual publishers
i.e. self-publishers, author publishers. Applicable to Singaporeans and
Singapore Permanent Residents only.
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Commercial organisations
e.g. commercial publishers, business companies, publishing houses, audio-visual
producers, etc. who are registered in Singapore.
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Non-commercial
organisations
such as
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Government
departments and agencies of Singapore
- Academic institutions e.g. schools, colleges and universities in Singapore
- Registered societies, religious societies, clan associations, clubs etc. in Singapore.
-
Government
departments and agencies of Singapore
The application for ISBN is free of
charge.
Types of Publications Eligible for an
ISBN
Examples
of types of physical publications which an ISBN can be assigned are:
-
Printed books and
pamphlets
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Audiobooks in CDs
or DVDs
-
Braille publications
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Digitised copies
of printed monographic publications
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Educational/instructional
films and videos
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Educational or
instructional software
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Electronic
publications either on physical carriers (e.g. CD-ROMs) or on the Internet
-
Maps
- Mixed media publications (where the principal constituent is text-based)
Publications available electronically
(e.g. e-book, e-book app, CD-ROM, or on the Internet) will qualify for an ISBN
provided that it contains text and is made available to the public and that
there is no intention for the publication to be a continuing resource. Such
publications may also include pictures and sounds.
A separate ISBN is required for every
format (e.g. hardcover, paperback, CD-ROM, online version) and language edition
published.
More Information on ISBN
For more information on the ISBN, please view our FAQ or visit the International ISBN Agency website or its ISBN Users’ Manual.
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
The ISSN is the standardised 8-digit
international code that uniquely identifies a serial publication, i.e. a
publication issued in successive parts to be published under a common title for
an indefinite period. These include periodicals, journals and newsletters. It
is independent of its country of publication, language or alphabet, frequency,
medium etc. The ISSN is linked to the title of the serial and remains the same
for every issue as long as the title does not change.
The National Library serves as the
ISSN National Centre for Singapore and issues Singapore ISSNs to serials
published in Singapore.
Applying for an ISSN
Publishers are required to create an account in Deposit Web and submit an online form to apply for an ISSN.
Benefits of ISSN
The benefits of having an ISSN for
your publication include:
-
It is an
international reference number for your publication used by suppliers and
libraries for selection and acquisition.
-
It enables
your publication to be easily identified, differentiated and accessed.
Types of Publications Eligible for an
ISSN
All continuing resources irrespective of their medium (print, electronic or online) are eligible for an ISSN. Some examples of
continuing resources/publications are:
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Annual
publications (reports, directories, etc).
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Journals
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Magazines
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Newspapers
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Blogs
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Websites
A serial publication issued in
different media (e.g. physical copy, online version, CD-ROM) or different
language editions etc., requires different ISSNs even if the title is the same.
The application for ISSN is free of
charge.
More Information on ISSN
For more information on ISSN, please view our FAQ or visit the ISSN International Centre website.
International Standard Music Number (ISMN)
The International Standard Music
Number (ISMN) is the standardised 13-digit international number that uniquely
identifies a notated music publication, both printed and digital, whether
available for sale, hire or free. ISMN is not used for sound, audiotapes,
CD-ROMs, video recordings or for books on music.
ISMN allows for more efficient
marketing of printed music products within the publishing houses, music trade
and libraries by establishing a unique identifier for each printed music title
(a part, a score or an element in a multi-media kit) or edition of a title by a
specific publisher.
The National Library serves as the
ISMN National Agency for Singapore and issues Singapore ISMNs to notated music
published in Singapore.
Applying for an ISMN
Publishers are required to create an account in Deposit Web and submit an online form to apply for an ISMN.
Types of Publications Eligible for an
ISMN
Publishers, including author
publishers, should obtain an ISMN for the following types of printed music:
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Anthologies
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Commentaries
published with the notated music (also available separately)
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Braille music
publications
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Electronic
publications of musical notations
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Individual parts,
available separately
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Microform music
publications
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Miniature (study)
scores
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Other media that
are an integral component of a publication of notated music
(e.g. a tape
recording that is one of the 'parts' of a composition)
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Pop folios
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Sets of parts
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Song books(optional)
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Song texts or
lyrics published with the notated music (if available separately)
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Scores
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Vocal scores
The following types of publications
which
should not be
assigned an ISMN are:
-
Books on music except
when they contain examples of notated music
-
Periodicals and
series as a whole, as distinct from individual volumes in series
-
Stand-alone sound
or video recordings (including recordings available on computer media)
The application for ISMN is free of charge.
More information on ISMN
For more information on ISMN, please view our FAQ or visit the International ISMN Agency website.