PROCEDURES FOR OBTAINING ISBN/ISSN AND BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTROL IN UGANDA: BY BARBRA APOLOT LIBRARIAN NATIONAL LIBRARY OF UGANDA CONTACTS:

Meanings of terms ISBN: stands for the International Standard Book Number. Defined as a 13-digit number that uniquely identifies books and book-like products published internationally( Eg Pamphlets, e-books ISSN: International Standard Serial Number; a unique identifier of serial publications(Eg Newspapers, Magazines, Journals) BIBLIOGRAPHIC CONTROL: Defined as the skill of organizing knowledge for retrieval ( Inform of bibliographies, databases, indexes etc)

Brief background about ISBN allocation in Uganda In Uganda, the issuing of the International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs) started way back in 1994 with the Uganda Publishers Association (UPA) as the issuing institution. Handed over to NLU in September During the handover, UPA provided a list previous prefix allocations.

The reason for handover was because The National Library Act 2003, section 5 part C gives NLU the mandate to allocate ISBN/IISSN to publications in in Uganda. A software was installed on the NLU- Technical Service Department. This is used to generate a 13 digit ISBNs and bar codes.

contd However, according to publishing statistics in Uganda, a number of publishers and authors are not aware of the importance and relevance of ISBN to their publications. A sensitization workshop to enlighten the public about the benefits of allocating ISBNs to publications is yet to be conducted.

The ISBN 13 digit Number Previously the ISBN was a 10 digit number but later in 2007, the international body converted the system into a 13 digit number. Therefore, publishers with 10-digit ISBNs should visit the issuing body to convert these numbers.

Barcodes on books These add value to the ISBN service; enable error-free checkout and are used to update stock records. It should be noted that the 13- digit ISBN is printed with hyphens between segments and same as EAN13 barcode number. Below is the sample.

Who’s eligible to obtain Isbn/Issn All publishers: These are people that are paid to get things done; or they bear the financial risk and they can also be self publishing authors. They avail publications to the public in form of text and these may include: monographs, maps, education software, audio books, digital publication, individual articles or chapters, mixed media publications that are principally text based.

When are numbers allocated The ISBN Agency assigns ISBNs at the direct request of publishers, e-book publishers, audio cassette and video producers, software producers and museums and associations with publishing programs. Requirements are: “Publishers must supply basic information about the publication to which ISBN is assigned.” This is referred to as metadata. Such information include: authors name, address, previous prefix, cover page, editorial page and evidence of payment. NB: The acquisition of ISBNs does not serve as a guarantee for copyright. Publishers are advised to visit copyright offices at the Uganda Registration Services Bureau.

Appearance on books An ISBN should be assigned to each title or product, including any backlist or forthcoming titles. Each format or binding must have a separate ISBN (i.e. hardcover, paperbound, VHS video, laserdisc, e-book format, etc). A new ISBN is required for a revised edition. Once assigned, an ISBN can never be reused. An ISBN is printed on the lower portion of the back cover of a book above the bar code and on the copyright page.

Does the ISBN have any meaning embedded in the numbers? Yes. The four parts of an ISBN are as follows: Prefix element Group or country identifier which identifies a national or geographic grouping of publishers; Publisher identifier which identifies a particular publisher within a group; Title identifier which identifies a particular title or edition of a title; Check digit is the single digit at the end of the ISBN which validates the ISBN

Fees “Fees are charged for the assignment and this varies from country to country. In Uganda the fee per title is shs. 40,000. For ISSN. The number is free and obtained through an online application in the Issn website and thereafter a barcode is generated ISBN: Takes 1-2 working days after receipt of payments., ISSN takes 10 working days.

Advantages of ISSN/ISBN Enabling comprehensive national bibliographies Retrieval of book titles and expenses/sales records in publisher, bookseller and library computer systems, e.g. production, royalty, sales, distribution Electronic ordering Many publishers and authors have realized that they can uniquely identify their publications in the market both locally and internationally. From its production, a publication is accompanied by an ISBN, which in modern distribution of information materials is essential in book trade.

Adv. Contd. In the book trade industries, there is easy compilation of directories which are referred to from time to time. The ISBN has been helpful in the ordering and distribution of books making it efficient for those who make orders with publishing houses. Writers and publishing houses who request for ISBNs end up depositing their works with NLU. As a result, this contributes to compilation of a national bibliography which is later printed and made available to the public. Libraries have also benefited from the use of ISBNs since they use it for cataloguing of information materials.

Challenges faced by issuing body With its many benefits, many people still do not find it important to accompany their publications with ISBNs. Non compliance with the legal deposit law. Lack of records of previous prefix

Challenges contd. Writers and publishers are not aware of the existence of the ISBN National Agency responsible for issuing ISBNs. Some writers and publishers do not know the importance of having ISBNs Linkage between the national agency, writers and publishers need to be strengthened.

Way forward In order to make Uganda’s publications more marketable, it is important that publishers and writers are well informed about the need to include ISBNs on their publications. This can be done in the following ways: The National Library of Uganda- ISBN agency will soon organize a sensitization workshop where a number of stakeholders will be enlightened about the importance of accompanying their publications with ISBNs.

Way forward contd. In order to gain more exposure in the trade market, one will agree that through the National Bibliography of Uganda, a bigger market can be acquired since the rest of the world will be notified about the many publications that Ugandans produce. NLU as the ISBN national agency should be publicized nationally in the media houses such as newspapers, radio and television. There is need for funding to be procured such that ISBN activities within the country can be marketed.

Conclusion All Uganda’s Intellectual heritage must be internationally recognized and preserved. Quotion to all publishers to deposit copies of all their publications to the National Library in compliance with section 19(i) of the National Library Act 2003, to enhance the compilation of the National Bibliography which is a listing of all what is published in, on, by, and for Uganda.