http://www.thefinancialexpress-bd.com/2015/01/20/76747 VOL 22 NO 70 REGD NO DA 1589 | Dhaka, Tuesday, January 20 2015
Integrating into the global knowledge industry M S Siddiqui The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique numeric commercial book identifier based upon 9-digit Standard Book Numbering (SBN), and International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is the standardised 8-digit international code that uniquely identifies a serial publication of periodicals, journals and newsletters. ISSN and ISBN codes are similar in concept. These codes are assigned by a network of national centres, usually located at national libraries and coordinated by the ISSN International Centre based in Paris. The International Centre is an intergovernmental organisation created in 1974 through an agreement between the UNESCO and the French government. The International Centre maintains a database of all ISSNs assigned worldwide. It has also been very widely adopted - more than 200 countries and territories recognise and use the ISBN. As an International Standard, it is very important that there are clearly established lines of responsibility and governance. The identification numbers are essentially a product identifier used by publishers, booksellers, libraries, internet retailers and other supply chain participants for ordering, listing, sales records and stock control purposes. This number identifies the registrant as well as the specific title, edition and the format. It benefits and allows publishers, book suppliers and libraries worldwide to easily locate and identify all publications internationally from any location. It allows quick access to information about publications in book-trade directories and bibliographic databases. It allows fast and efficient ordering and distribution of publications. Any book made publicly available, whether for sale or on a gratis basis, can be identified by these numbers. The certificate issued by the registrar of copyright constitutes prima-facie evidence of ownership of copyright. In some countries, the use of identification number to identify publications has been made into a legal requirement. It does not convey any form of legal or copyright protection. But in Bangladesh, registration of copyright under the Copyright Act is voluntary and not obligatory. Bangladesh Directorate of Archives and Libraries is the regulating authority. International ISBN Agency policies set out for the assignment of an ISBN or an ISSN and maintain the publication or publisher's name to create, manage in metadata, and administrative data. The service to make ISBN and associated metadata available to other registration agencies and to users of the ISBN system in compliance with policies set out by the International ISBN