ISBN

ISBN qualifiers

For sets and kits, all ISBNs should be qualified with "(set)," "(kit)", "(book)", "(CD)", "(v. 1)" or other such designation of a particular part. A set or kit ISBN, when present, should always be the first ISBN for a set or kit record. An ISBN for a specific volume, when present, should always be the first ISBN when each volume is cataloged on a separate record.

When adding an ISBN to a record for a book with only minor differences from the record, code the book’s ISBN in 020 $a, and add a parenthetical qualifier to the ISBN. If the publisher is different, include the publisher in the qualifier. Separate multiple elements in the qualifier with space colon space. Examples include:

(pbk.)

(lib. bdg.)

(hc.)

(Random House)

(BWI)

(Econo-Clad)

(Turtleback) [Note: do NOT use (tbk.) for Turtleback bindings]

(pbk. : Scholastic)

(v. 3 : Sagebrush)

Optionally, include a 500 note or add to an existing similar 500 note describing this facet of the publication history and the added ISBN. For example "Also published in paperback by Scholastic with ISBN: …"

10-digit vs. 13-digit ISBNs

Please use 13-digit ISBNs for searching, inputting and preliminary data records unless a 10-digit ISBN is the only one available. Be sure your scanners are programmed to properly treat 13-digit ISBNs as 13-digit ISBNs rather than converting them to 10-digit ISBNs.

Order of ISBNs for volumes

ISBNs should be added to the top of multivolume monograph records with the newest ISBN last.

ISBNs should be added to the top of serial records as the new edition is input, with the newest ISBN first. (We would prefer them to be located at the end of the record, but whenever the database is copied and reloaded, the system rearranges the tags in numeric order.)

Reused ISBNs

In general, the same ISBN should never be found in 020 ‡a of two records in our database. When a publisher reuses an ISBN on an item that requires a separate record (whether because it is completely different and was accidentally reused, or because it underwent a major change such as a change in title but the publisher intentionally continued using the same ISBN for later printings), the ISBN for the item published later should be in 020 ‡z.

However, if a book is published both separately and as part of a set or kit, the book ISBN can be in 020 ‡a of both records, because both truly refer to that specific edition.

If, due to previous cataloging practices or a cataloging mistake, the same ISBN is already found in an 020 ‡a of an existing record, then check whether that ISBN legitimately applies to that record. If the ISBN does not legitimately apply to that record (for example, an ISBN for a "2nd ed." in a record that says "1st ed.") remove it from that record.

Deleting ISBNs

You do not have to delete ISBNs for which CCS has no holdings, but you are encouraged to do so, especially in cases where each volume is intended to replace the previous one, as then there is very little likelihood that anyone in CCS will ever order that version or volume or receive it as a donation.