Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ

Hi everyone,

We’re implementing a policy change to how we record ISBNs and ASINs. As you all know, we have required that a book’s ISBN/ASIN remain with the original edition. If a subsequent edition was released with the same ISBN/ASIN, the number remained with the original. This policy is now changing. Going forward, ISBNs/ASINs should be moved to the book’s most recent edition.

This policy change is the result of much discussion, and we carefully considered the following before reaching the decision to make this change:

- Book links on new editions with associated ISBN/ASINs will work properly, as these are linked via ISBN/ASIN.
- Members will see the newest available edition of a book when searching the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ database.
- Requiring that ISBN/ASINs remain with their oldest edition causes confusion to authors, librarians, and other Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ members, who often expect the ISBN/ASIN to be attached to the most recent edition. By making this change, we hope to reduce confusion for all Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ users, and ease the burden on librarians involved in correcting these edits.

Please note that this will not affect which edition is set as primary for your books.

If you’d like help updating your book records, please visit the Librarians Group and start a new thread with a link to your title in the Book Issues folder. One of our volunteer librarians can help you. Or you can do this yourself by following these instructions:

1. Click on “edit details� on the book page of the older edition.
2. Click on “Add a Librarian Note� at the top of the book edit page. Add a comment explaining that you’re moving the ISBN/ASIN to the latest edition (preferably with a link to the other edition, though this isn’t required).
3. Take note of the ISBN/ASIN, then remove the ISBN/ASIN from that field.
4. Click on “Save Changes� to update the ISBN/ASIN field.
Click on “edit details� on the book page of the new edition, add the ISBN/ASIN, and click on “Save Changes.�

We're happy to answer any questions you have about the new policy!

It is "against the rule" to issue a new edition of a book and use the original (or older) ISBN with it. (I can't address ASIN issues, since I believe they are associated with Amazon products.) The first edition of a book should carry its original ISBN "forever." (Additional printings, or printings that simply correct some typos in the original are not considered new editions; only revised content constitutes a new edition AND requires a new ISBN. Period. Those who do not adhere to this policy are breaking the rules of the ISBN system. New editions that attempt to carry an old ISBN should properly be rejected by librarians anywhere--including those on Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ. The author should be contacted and requested to provide a new ISBN for any new edition of a work. A new edition is a new work.

I agree with G. It's my understanding that each new edition of a book has its own ISBN. Each different format, i.e. audio, paperback, ebook, his its own ISBN. Readers who'd want to buy the latest edition of a book should be able to click on that edition's ISBN to buy it or be routed to the appropriate info or page. If all editions of a book have only the first edition's ISBN listed, that will make it difficult for readers to be able to find the correct edition when shopping also. I find this new policy here somewhat confusing. Sorry!

It doesn't make sense to me. Say I'm looking for the revised and or updated edition of the book I already have and know its ISBN number. In a library, I find a newly looking edition; if I see the old ISBN number on it, I will assume that it's a reprint of the old unrevised edition. Also, I question how Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ can change the specification that was established by a different organization â€� ISO.

While best policy in the publishing world is to use a new ISBN (or ASIN) for every new edition, that is not what actually happens in some cases. Especially if the changes are minor, or the only change is a new cover, some publishers may choose to reuse their existing ISBN (or ASIN). Requiring that ISBN/ASINs remain with their oldest edition causes confusion to authors, librarians, and other Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ members, who often expect the ISBN/ASIN to be attached to the most recent edition. By making this change, we hope to reduce confusion for all Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ users.

Minor corrections (of typos, etc.) or new covers do not a new edition make. A new edition is like a new version with added material or drastically changed material. If a work is materially changed, then it becomes a new edition and gets a new ISBN. This is not optional with the author or publisher. It is a requirement of the ISO and the ISBN system. Check it out with Bowker.com. Here is a paragraph copied and pasted directly from their website: "The purpose of the ISBN is to identify one specific version of a book. If you wish to have a print (hardbound or softbound) or electronic (ePUB, PDF, or MOBI) version, or even register a new version, you will need a unique ISBN for each format. This allows retailers to help the customer understand exactly which version of a title they are purchasing."

G. wrote: "Minor corrections (of typos, etc.) or new covers do not a new edition make. A new edition is like a new version with added material or drastically changed material. If a work is materially changed,..."

Hi there! You're right � ISBNs/ASINs are there to identify a specific version of a book (binding, format etc). We're definitely not looking to associate an ISBN or ASIN with any version that it doesn't belong to. However, we need to take into account, for example, alternate covers editions (aka ACEs). This would be an edition where the content inside the book hasn't changed, nor has the ISBN, but the cover is different. We've found that most readers like to shelve the exact alternate cover edition, that they have purchased. Often the same ISBN is used in these cases. Our new policy now allows for the ISBN/ASIN to be associated with the most recent ACE. The most recent release is usually what authors, publishers (and perhaps readers, but that's debatable) are currently focusing on. Assigning the ISBN to it helps with all the points mentioned in the announcement post (message 1). Namely:

- Book links on new editions with associated ISBN/ASINs will work properly, as these are linked via ISBN/ASIN.
- Members will see the newest available edition of a book when searching the Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ database.
- Requiring that ISBN/ASINs remain with their oldest edition causes confusion to authors, librarians, and other Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ members, who often expect the ISBN/ASIN to be attached to the most recent edition.

I hope this information helps!

Shaun wrote: "The most recent release is usually what authors, publishers (and perhaps readers, but that's debatable) are currently focusing on. "

Yikes. Does that mean then that the book database on GR is now intended to reflect what publishers and authors focus on, and not what readers focus on?

I find that quite distressing. The vast majority using GR, shelving, tracking, recording, books are readers.

Alexandra wrote: "Shaun wrote: "The most recent release is usually what authors, publishers (and perhaps readers, but that's debatable) are currently focusing on. "

Yikes. Does that mean then that the book database..."

exactly, its no longer a book cataloging/review site for readers but for making sales for Amazon.

Thank you Jaclyn, Emily, and Shaun for the explanation of Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ' new ISBN policy; but more you explain the less clear it is what the policy is trying to achieve and clearer it is that it contravenes the ISO specification and what â€� I believe â€� most readers and authors expect from ISBN identification.

"� the ISBN is to identify one specific version of a book." If you move the original ISBN number to a newly revised edition, there will be not one, but two specific versions of a book incorrectly marked by the same ISBN number.

Now I'm waiting for an opinion of the first person (other than Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ' moderators) who likes this new intended Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ' change.

Glad to see not all authors applaud this change.

Over in the Librarians Group thread, some Å·±¦ÓéÀÖ authors have posted who do.

/topic/show/... (and onwards)

This thread has served its purpose, so we are closing it. For questions about individual books, please contact us.