How Does the ISBN System Work?
The ISBN system is a worldwide standard for cataloging books in which each newly published book (or major revision of a previous book) receives its own unique identifying code. The ISBN code vastly simplifies the task of cataloging and tracking books, saving untold time and money for publishers, libraries, book retailers, and even readers who wish to locate a specific book. Obtaining an ISBN Number Whenever a book is to be published and distributed to any sizable audience, the book needs to receive an ISBN number so that it can be recognized by the rest of the book publishing world. In the U.S., book publisher R.R. Bowker runs the U.S. ISBN Agency and is responsible for handing out ISBN numbers. Individual publishers typically handle the ISBN requesting process for the books they publish, but even individual authors who are self-publishing a book can submit a request for an ISBN number to the U.S. ISBN Agency. There is a service fee involved in obtaining an ISBN number and the numbers
