International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

The ISBN is the standardised 13-digit international number that uniquely identifies a monographic publication. It benefits and allows publishers, book suppliers and libraries worldwide to easily locate and order items.

Some benefits of having an ISBN for your publication:

1. It uniquely identifies your publication internationally forever.
2. It allows quick access to information about your publication in book-trade directories and bibliographic databases.
3. It allows fast and efficient ordering and distribution of your publication.

The National Library serves as the ISBN National Agency for Singapore and issues Singapore ISBNs to material published in Singapore by Singapore publishers.
A separate ISBN is required for every format (e.g. hard copy, CD-ROM, online version) and language edition published.

Singapore publishers can apply for a Singapore ISBN online.

For more information on the ISBN, please view our brochure, FAQ or visit the International ISBN Agency website.

International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)

The ISSN is the standardised 8-digit international code that uniquely identifies a serial publication, i.e. a publication issued in successive parts to be published under a common title for an indefinite period e.g. periodicals, journals and newsletters. It is independent of its country of publication, language or alphabet, frequency, medium etc. The ISSN is linked to the title of the serial and remains the same for every issue as long as the title does not change.

Some benefits of having an ISSN for your publication:

1. It is an international reference number for your publication used by suppliers and libraries for selection and acquisition.
2. It enables your publication to be easily identified, differentiated and accessible.

The National Library serves as the ISSN National Centre for Singapore and issues Singapore ISSNs to serials published in Singapore. A publication issued in different media (e.g. print, online, CD-ROM) or different language editions etc, requires different ISSNs even if the title is unchanged.

Singapore publishers can apply for a Singapore ISSN online.

For more information on ISSN, please view our brochure, FAQ visit the ISSN International Centre website.

International Standard Music Number (ISMN)

The International Standard Music Number (ISMN) is the standardised 13-digit international number that uniquely identifies a notated music publication, both printed and digital, whether available for sale, hire or free.

It allows for more efficient marketing of printed music products within the publishing houses, music trade and libraries by establishing a unique identifier for each printed music title (a part, a score or an element in a multi-media kit) or edition of a title by a specific publisher.

It is NOT used for sound, audiotapes, CDs, video recordings or for books on music.

The National Library serves as the ISMN National Agency for Singapore and issues Singapore ISMNs to notated music published in Singapore.

Singapore publishers can apply for a Singapore ISMN online .

For more information on ISMN, please view our brochure, FAQ visit the International ISMN Agency website.