Transitioning to ISBN-13

Effective January 1, 2007 the length of the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) will officially change from 10 to 13 digits. Over the next few years, the publishing industry will begin using 13-digit ISBNs, while phasing out the use of 10-digit ISBN’s.

What does this mean for school districts?

This change will require school districts (and all other segments of the book industry) to begin using 13-digit product identifiers when transacting business with their suppliers for books and instructional materials. Each school district’s textbook requisitioning/purchasing system will need to accommodate 13-digit identification numbers. Some school districts may need to implement a systems change.

During the transition, some publishers will be using dual 10 and 13-digit ISBNs to identify their instructional materials. This will allow school districts to use either number as they make the transition to ISBN-13.

AAP recently sent a letter to school districts across the country to alert them to the fact that the International Standards Book Number (ISBN) will change from 10 digits to 13 digits on January 1, 2007. In a massive mailing that went to more than 7,000 school districts, the School Division outlined the reasons behind the changeover, its implications, and publishers' efforts to facilitate the transition.

Where can I get more information about the transition to ISBN-13?

• Quick Facts: www.bisg.org/isbn-13/quick.facts.html
• FAQs: www.bisg.org/isbn-13/faq.html
• School Districts: www.bisg.org/isbn-13/school.districts.html
• IT Professionals: www.bisg.org/isbn-13/IT.html
• Book Ordering: www.bisg.org/isbn-13/book.ordering.html
• Book Labeling: www.bisg.org/isbn-13/book.labeling.html
• More ISBN-13 School Information: PDF file

Do you have questions not answered by the information on this page?
Please contact Ed McCoyd emccoyd@publishers.org