International ISBN Agency

International ISBN Agency – our solidarity with Ukraine

iia — Thu, 10 Mar 2022 15:11:35 +0000

International ISBN Agency – our solidarity with Ukraine

The images of the death, maiming and devastation wrought on the civilians of Ukraine, their homes, hospitals and cultural buildings following the pitiless invasion by Russia have been seared into our minds. This totally unprovoked war on a sovereign, independent country is completely and universally deplored and condemned. It threatens the foundations of democracy and disregards and violates human rights.

Alongside all participants of the book sector – authors, contributors, publishers, librarians, retailers, printers and distributors – we call for immediate ceasefire, Russian withdrawal and lasting peace. The International ISBN Agency and the wider ISBN agency community stand in solidarity with our colleagues at the ISBN Agency of Ukraine who, remarkably, continue to provide advice and support to publishers in their country.

We send our thoughts and full support to the people of Ukraine.

Thu, 03/10/2022 - 15:11

A version of the ISBN Users' Manual is released in Korean

iia — Wed, 11 Jan 2023 10:02:48 +0000

A version of the ISBN Users' Manual is released in Korean

The International ISBN Agency is pleased to announce that there now exists a Korean language version of the ISBN Users' Manual. We kindly thank Soo Hyun Park and her colleagues The National Library of Korea in Seoul for arranging this translation and for giving us permission to publish it on our website.

Please note that this version is based on the 7th international edition of the Users' Manual (the latest edition), although the sections have been arranged differently and there are sections specific to ISBN usage and application in Korea Republic. You can view all versions of the Users' Manual by visiting this webpage.

Wed, 01/11/2023 - 10:02

Annual General Meeting 2022

iia — Thu, 22 Sep 2022 08:54:03 +0000

Annual General Meeting 2022

The International ISBN Agency was recently able to hold its first in-person Annual General Meeting for three years. The meeting took place on 7 and 8 September 2022.

We would like to begin by thanking our colleagues at the Nasjonalbiblioteket (National Library of Norway). Without their hard work and cooperation, it would not have been possible for the event to have been the success it was. The National Library runs the ISBN agency in Norway and we were very grateful to our colleagues there. As usual, delegates from the national and regional ISBN agencies across the world were invited to participate.

The meeting discussed many important matters pertaining to the ISBN system and the publishing industry more broadly. These included a keynote speech from the Chairman of the International Publishers' Association’s Freedom to Publish Committee; the statutory updates and formal part of the AGM; presentations about publishing in Norway; and a workshop session at which attendees were invited to discuss the impact of the Covid-19 pandemic on their organisations and on publishing.

For the first time, part of our Annual General Meeting included a virtual component, so colleagues unable to attend the meeting in Oslo could still watch proceedings. We were delighted to welcome 64 delegates in person, with a further 44 delegates attending virtually. We thank all attendees of the meetings - your efforts and contributions were sincerely appreciated.

Thu, 09/22/2022 - 09:54