Continuing Resources

The ISSN is an identification code for serial and other continuing resources, not for individual articles or issues. The ISBN identifies individual books and monographs. The ISSN and ISBN can be used independently of one another.

A continuing resource is a publication, either in print or electronic format, intended to continue indefinitely and having a common title. Continuing resources include:

• Serial publications such as periodicals and series that are published in successive parts or issue numbers
  
• Integrating resources that are updated on a continuous basis
  

Multi-volume publications (e.g. encyclopedias) and series related to projects are not serial publications, because they are not intended to continue indefinitely.

ISSN guidelines

An ISSN is assigned both to print and electronic publications. When assigning ISSN, the Finnish ISSN Centre follows the guidelines issued by the ISSN International Centre, while at the same time taking into account the Finnish national adaptations concerning ISSN assignation.

ISSN will not be assigned to publications that are intended for a very local circulation or for short-time use only, and whose editorial content is minimal. Examples include advertisements, brochures and calendars. If the sample issue of a publication that has been assigned an ISSN is not in line with the ISSN guidelines, the ISSN of that publication may be cancelled.

N.B.! The full registration of the publication is based on the sample issue. If the Finnish ISSN centre receives no information in the next three years that the publication has actually been published, the ISSN and the registration of publication will be cancelled automatically.

ISSN guidelines for online publications