International Standard Book Number-33 local publishers register with agency |19 December 2005

The chief librarian, Anne- Marie Robert, said this on Thursday December 15 when she launched an exhibition to sensitise members of the public and publishers in particular to enrol with the organisation.

She said the International Standard Book Number is an effective tool in the sector, which provides a way for all parties concerned to communicate with each other about a specific book or other publications such as CD ROM.

During the event, which took place at the National Library as part of the National Library Day celebration, Ms Robert said that the aim of the exhibition is to create awareness of the importance of publishing at an acceptable international standard.

“Under the patronage of the Seychelles National Library, the Seychelles ISBN Agency has the mandate to assign ISBN numbers to local publishers,” she said, adding that publishers contributing in this system are listed in the International Publisher’s Directory, which offers them additional publicity.

“A publication with a standard number illustrates an indication of professionalism. A further advantage of the ISBN is when it accompanies a publication from its production it becomes an essential instrument in current distribution and rationalisation opportunities in the book trade,” she said.

She said the ISBN Agency is seen as a very important device all over the world, and noted that the popularity has resulted in the exhaustion of the 10 digit prefixes and introduced a 13-digit one which some agencies have already started use.

“Moreover during the thirty third ISBN annual meeting, it has been decided that all agencies should have implemented the 13 digit format by January 2007,” she said.