ISSN-number

The ISSN is a unique identifier for serial publications. ISSN stands for International Standard Serial Number which is a standard no. 3297 from the International Organization for Standardization, ISO. Due to the extensive publication of serials in the world, and the creation of computerized journal-catalogues, it was decided to give each title one number which would identify it.

The National and University Library of Iceland is a National Centre for the international ISSN-system. Its role is to allocate ISSN-numbers for Icelandic serial publications, register them into the computerized catalogue of the International ISSN Centre, promote and propagate the system in Iceland. Allocation and information service is free of cost for publishers. In return they need to deposit copies of their publications to the library according to legal deposit law.

ISSN-numbers are allocated for newspapers, journals and magazines, newsletters, annuals/yearbooks, series and annual reports in printed form as well as electronic. Preferably, publishers should apply for and ISSN-number for new serials before the first issue is published. The publisher is responsible for having the ISSN-number printed correctly on the issue, both in normal alphabet as well as in the form of a bar code.

For further information please send an email to helga.k.gunnarsdottir (hja) landsbokasafn.is.