University ISBNs

What is an ISBN?

An ISBN is an International Standard Book Number. Each ISBN now comprises 13 characters and uniquely identifies a publication.

Does my work qualify for an ISBN?

The following products qualify for an ISBN:

• Monographic works (books) that are textual and/or have an instructional content.
• CD-ROMS, spoken word cassettes, videos and electronic books that have a textual and/or instructional content, i.e. not purely for entertainment.
• Journals published no more frequently than once a year (journals published more frequently qualify for an ISSN).
• Sets of volumes or packs of books, CD-ROMS, videos or spoken word cassettes with a textual and/or instructional content.

There is no legal obligation for an item to have an ISBN, but if you wish your work to be made available commercially via booksellers or bibliographic databases then an ISBN may be necessary.

How do I get an ISBN?

The University of Northampton is registered as a publisher with the ISBN Agency. We have been allocated a block of ISBNs for use by university members. If you wish to apply for one of these numbers then please follow the checklist below.

Checklist for publication using a University of Northampton ISBN

1. Produce a qualifying piece of work (see above).
2. Ensure that you have sought and received necessary third party copyright permissions (in writing).
3. The ISBN Agency will require details of your publication. Complete the Nielsen BookData Title Information Form (found under related downloads) and return it to Miggie Pickton in Information Services (not to Neilsen as stated on the form).
4. A new ISBN will be allocated to your work.
5. The ISBN should appear on the reverse of the title page and on the outside back cover. If the book has a dust jacket the ISBN should appear on the back of this too. If the publication is not a book (i.e. CD, DVD etc) the ISBN should appear on the product and on any packaging.
6. On publication please send two copies of your work to Miggie - one will be sent to the British Library (there is a legal mandate to do this within one month of publication and further copies may be requested later by the five other legal deposit libraries). The second copy will be put in the University of Northampton library.
7. Submit an electronic copy to NECTAR (Miggie can help with this).

Further information

If you have any questions about applying for an ISBN please contact Miggie Pickton.