Coming to an OCLC Record Near You! November 24, 2006
Posted by bibservatmac in OCLC, isbn.3 comments
As of November 12, OCLC has fully implemented the ISBN-13 standard.
The interim step of putting 13-digit ISBNs into field 024 has been discontinued, and OCLC will be converting all those currently stored there to an 020. You may see some 024’s containing a Bookland EAN (a number associated with the publisher’s barcode), but there will probably be fewer of them coming over in our cataloguing. OCLC’s Technical Bulletin includes a nifty graphic on the different numbers. OCLC expects to run their conversion program in “late 2006.” Once this is done, we can stop flipping the 024s back to 020s!
OCLC has also modified the processing done to new records when they are loaded. The system will now automatically calculate the alternate version of the ISBN. So, if a record contains only a 10-digit ISBN, OCLC will calculate the 13-digit version and add it to the record. The reverse is also true–a record with only a 13-digit number will have the 10-digit version inserted.
What this means for us is that we may find OCLC records containing both ISBNs even if only one appears on the book. We will leave both ISBNs in the record so that users can search our catalogue with either version.
ISBN-13 September 8, 2006
Posted by bibservatmac in cataloguing, isbn.add a comment
The Book Industry Study Group has posted a Quick Facts sheet for ISBN-13. It provides a good summary of why the change from 10-digit to 13-digit ISBNs is being made and what to expect as it is implemented. Some of the key points:
- Until January 1, 2007, books will be published with 10-digit ISBNs. After that date, all books will be published with ISBN-13s.
- The EAN (International Article Number) displayed with the barcode is already a 13-digit equivalent to the current 10-digit ISBN. This number usually begins with “978″.
- After January 2007, the ISBN-13 is required to appear in the usual hyphenated form of ISBNs and to be identified as “ISBN” or “ISBN-13″.
- At some point in 2007 it is likely that a new “979″ prefix will appear, as publishers request new numbers.
Fortunately, we’re ready for the change. Horizon (a.k.a. MORRIS) already accepts the 13-digit ISBN for both cataloguing and searching and we’re coding the 13-digit ISBNs appropriately.
