Transition to New ISBN Code
The ISBN code will change from 10 digits to 13 digits from 1 January 2007. All existing unused 10-digit ISBNs will be converted to the13-digit format. The new code will be prefixed with the Bookland EAN 978 code and the check digit recalculated. The new ISBN standard (ISO 2108) is expected to be available during spring 2005. The international ISBN Users' Manual (5th ed.) is already accessible online, containing, among other things, instructions on how to calculate the 13-digit ISBN. The following is an example of a 10-digit ISBN converted to 13 digits:
ISBN 951-98548-9-4
ISBN 978-951-98548-9-2
To convert a 10-digit ISBN to a 13-digit ISBN conversion programs are needed. The International ISBN Agency will provide an online conversion program for the use of small publishers and systems providers will supply conversion programs to their customers. The Finnish ISBN Agency will provide guidance to publishers on how to convert to the 13-digit format.
In some countries existing stocks of ISBNs have reduced considerably over the past few years. Therefore, to maintain the functionality of the system in the future, increasing the numbering capacity is essential. In Finland the old country identifiers 951 and 952 will continue to be used because there are still plenty of unused blocks of ISBNs and free publisher identification codes left. The new country identifier for Finland will be either 978-951 or 978-952.
The new ISBN code will affect all branches of the book supply chain from publishers to libraries. During the transition period close cooperation among the branches will be essential. This transition period is needed to ensure that every party have enough time to update their automated systems to accommodate the 13-digit format. If a current publication is available after 1 January 2007, its ISBN will be converted to the 13-digit format already before that date. During the transition period the eye-readable ISBN accompanying the barcode will remain 10 digits long.
The International ISBN Agency recommends that during the transition period both ISBNs be displayed one below the other on the reverse of the title page and that the code be preceded by number 10 or 13 to indicate which code is which. This is to avoid mix-ups and make sure that publications can be located also during the transition period.
ISBN-13: 978-951-98548-9-2
ISBN-10: 951-98548-9-4
From 1 January 2007 only 13-digit ISBNs are to be displayed on books. Barcodes will remain unchanged, but the eye-readable numbers will be converted to 13 digits, with hyphenation a must for the sake of clarity.
For further information please contact
Ms Maarit Huttunen
Finnish ISBN Agency
The National Library of Finland
P.O.Box 26 (Teollisuuskatu 23)
FIN-00014 University of Helsinki
Finland
Phone +358 (0)9 191 44329
Email maarit.huttunen(at)helsinki.fi
http://www.lib.helsinki.fi/english/publishers/isbn
