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AUSTRALIAN ISMN AGENCY
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CONTENTS
1. Background1.1 What is an ISMN?An ISMN is a unique number for the identification of printed music publications. 1.2 Development of ISMNWhen the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) proved to be a comprehensive and widely used tool for the book trade, music publishers realized that a similar standard number for printed music would also be useful. In 1988, the U.K. branch of the International Association of Music Libraries, Archives and Documentation Centres (IAML) approached the ISBN Advisory Panel with a proposal for an International Standard Music Number (ISMN). This proposal was subsequently submitted to the International Organization for Standardization (ISO) for development as an international standard. In January 1990, representatives of European and North American music publishers, IAML, ISO and the ISBN system met in Ottawa to resolve issues relating to the format of the proposed ISMN. After agreement was reached on a 10-digit format, the ISMN standard was drafted by ISO Technical Committee 46, Subcommittee 9, which was a working group of music publishers and librarians. The resulting ISO 10957, Information and Documentation - International Standard Music Number (ISMN), was formally approved for adoption as an international standard and was published in 1993. The main reasons for adopting the 10-digit ISMN were the proven success of the 10-digit ISBN and the fact that the 10-digit number could be incorporated into the 13-digit international bar code system simply by extending the ISBN system. The ISMN offers a complete rationalization of music publishing and the music trade as well as music libraries. In principle the ISMN may be considered a subset of the ISBN. To prevent confusion between the ISMN and ISBN, the ISMN contains several distinguishing features:
This is the format used prior to 1st January 2008. The new format to be used after this date is as follows:
1.3 Benefits of the ISMN systemThe supply of ISMNs to Australian publishers is a free service provided by the National Library of Australia. ISMNs are useful to publishers, libraries and the music trade as they:
1.4 International ISMN AgencyThe International ISMN Agency in Berlin is responsible for the maintenance of the ISMN system worldwide, the standard and its application. Publisher identifiers are distributed to the national ISMN agencies who are then responsible for assigning them to publishers. The International Agency is also responsible for publishing publisher details and identifiers in Music publishers' international ISMN directory.2. Construction of the International Standard Music NumberAs from 1st January 2008 the International Standard Music Number (ISMN) consists of a 4 digit prefix (979-0) followed by nine digits. The number is preceded by the letters ISMN. For example, ISMN 979-0-2991-0234-9. 2.1 ElementsThe ISMN is divided into four elements, the second and third of which are of variable length. These elements are as follows: Back to Contents2.1.1 Prefix elementThe prefix element reflects the Bookland barcode. 2.1.2 Publisher identifierThe publisher identifier designates the publisher of a given music publication. Publishers with a large output are assigned short publisher identifiers; publishers with a small output are assigned longer publisher identifiers. (For the distribution of publisher identifiers according to their variable length, see section 2.2.) 2.1.3 Item identifierThis element identifies an edition of a work and the various items within it, e.g. full score, miniature score, set of wind parts, oboe part, etc. Publishers allocate the item identifier to a particular item from within the range of numbers assigned to them. This range depends upon the length of the publisher identifier. Item identifiers are normally allocated by the publishers themselves (but see also section 4.3, Non self-allocating publishers). Publishers who allocate their own item identifiers may use them to identify items throughout the planning stages as well as items published only as hire materials. 2.1.4. Check characterThe check character is a single digit at the end of the ISMN that provides an automatic verification of the validity of the ISMN. The check character is calculated on a modulus 10. It may be a number between 0 and 9. The number is determined by the computer based on the following calculation. Each of the first 12 digits of the ISMN is alternately multiplied by 1 and 3. The check digit is equal to 10 minus the remainder resulting from dividing the sum of the weighted products of the first 12 digits by 10 with one exception. If this calculation results in an apparent check digit of 10, the check digit is 0. For example the ISMN 979-0-3452-4680-5:
The sum of the products is 65. The next higher number divisible by 10, without remainder, is 70. The computer assigned check character for this item is 5, so that 979-0-3452-4680-5 is a valid International Standard Music Number. For a full description of how the formula is calculated, please refer to ISO 10957 Standard. Back to Contents2.2 Number of digits in each element; how to recognise elements in an ISMNThe number of digits in the Publisher Identifier and the Item Identifier (i.e., elements 2 and 3) is variable; however, the total number of digits contained in these two elements is always eight. These eight digits together with the prefix and check digit bring the total number of digits in an ISMN to thirteen.
Publishers with an expected very large output will receive publisher identifiers of three or four digits. Publishers with a medium to small output will receive publisher identifiers of five, six or seven digits. The following table shows the arrangement of publisher identifiers relative to the total numbers available for item identification.
For ease of reading, the four elements of the ISMN are divided by spaces or hyphens when printed. These separators, however, are not retained in the computer, which uses the fixed ranges of numbers to recognize the elements. Since the ISMN is recorded as 9790229102349 in a computer, there could be some confusion in reading the publisher identifier, i.e. either 2991 or 299. But the potential confusion is eliminated since it can be seen from the table above that there cannot be an identifier 299 and that the identifier must be 2991. Back to Contents3. Scope of the ISMNThe ISMN is used to identify music publications, whether available for sale, hire, gratis or for copyright purposes only. It is not used for sound or video recordings (except in the rare case noted below): although there is no international identification system for these items, individual sound recordings are identified by the International Standard Recording Code (ISRC). In addition, the ISMN is not used for books on music, which receive an International Standard Book Number (ISBN). (Section 8 explains the application of different types of standard numbers.) Each separately available constituent part of a publication must receive its own ISMN. 3.1 Items eligible for ISMNsItems that should receive ISMNs include:
3.2 Items ineligible for ISMNsThe following items should not receive ISMNs:
4. Registration procedures4.1 Assignment of a publisher identifierTo use ISMNs, a publisher must register with the Australian ISMN Agency who will then assign a publisher identifier and a block of ISMNs. The Agency determines the length of the identifier (and therefore the number of ISMNs attached to it) based on the publisher's production output. To ensure that a suitable publisher identifier is assigned, a publisher should ensure that the Agency has as much information as possible about back lists of publications still available, and about present and future publication programs. Publishers with more than one place of publication should consult section 6.12. To register for a publisher identifier, a publisher should complete the ISMN registration form or contact the Agency for a printed copy of the form. The supply of ISMNs to Australian publishers is a free service provided by the National Library of Australia. Back to Contents4.2 Self-allocating publishersMost publishers are termed self-allocating because they accept responsibility for allocating their own ISMNs from the block of numbers assigned to them. Once a publisher has registered with the Australian ISMN Agency and requested a publisher identifier, the Agency assigns an identifier and a block of ISMNs. The publisher is then responsible for allocating a new ISMN to each new publication. 4.3 Non self-allocating publishersIf any publishers are unable or unwilling to accept responsibility for allocating ISMNs to their publications, the Agency will assume responsibility for this. The Agency will assign a publisher identifier as usual to each publisher but the block of ISMNs attached to the identifier will be retained by the Agency. Such publishers are deemed to be non self-allocating publishers. The publisher then will have to request a number from their block each time a new publication is being prepared. Requests can be via the website using the Request for ISMN form. Alternatively, printed forms are available for publishers to complete as required. It is hoped that most publishers will be self-allocating publishers. 4.4 Time and deliveryThe ISMN Agency strives to provide notification of a new publisher identifier and a block of numbers within five working days from receipt of a registration application. The block of numbers can be posted, faxed, or provided in an email attachment. Publishers wishing to receive their numbers electronically should contact the Agency to discuss the suitability of format used. Non self-allocating publishers have to request an ISMN from their block each time they need one. The Agency will provide an ISMN within three working days of receiving a Request for ISMN application. The number can be posted, faxed or emailed to the publisher. If a Cataloguing-in-Publication (CIP) entry has been requested, it will be supplied within 10 working days. Back to Contents5. Principles and procedures to be observed by self-allocating publishers in numbering their own publications5.1 AuthoritySelf-allocating publishers are responsible for allocating item identifiers to the individual items that they publish. It is recommended that an ISMN be allocated as soon as a production schedule is established for the item concerned. 5.2 ResponsibilityPublishers should designate a person to manage the allocation of ISMNs and their application. 5.3 RegisterPublishers must keep a register of ISMNs that have been assigned. The register should include the ISMN, author, title and format (where appropriate). Back to Contents5.4 Notification of ISMN allocatedThe publisher is responsible for notifying the Agency (no later than one month after allocation) of item details for each ISMN allocated. Notification can be via the website using the Notification of ISMN allocated form. Alternatively, printed forms are available for publishers to complete as required. If a publisher is allocating a large number of ISMNs at one time, the Agency should be contacted to discuss alternative methods of notification. Once the Agency has received notification, the Agency's administration system will be updated and a catalogue record for the item will be created on the national bibliographic database. If a Cataloguing-in-Publication (CIP) entry has been requested, it will be supplied within 10 working days. 5.5 ISMN as stock or edition numberPublishers may use or adapt the ISMN as a stock or edition number. Publishers who wish to use their previous stock of edition numbers in addition to the ISMN will need to be able to translate between the different numbering systems. Back to Contents6. Application of the ISMNA separate ISMN must be allocated to every different edition of a music item. Specifically, a new ISMN is required when:
An unchanged impression or unchanged reprint of the same item in the same format and by the same publisher should not be allocated a new ISMN unless there is a change in binding as defined in section 6.2. Similarly, a reproduction supplied on demand from the same originator should NOT be allocated a new ISMN, even if a new reproduction date is indicated on the reproduction. Price changes do not require the allocation of new ISMNs. Back to Contents6.1 Facsimile reprints and microform editionsA separate ISMN should always be allocated to a facsimile reprint produced by a different publisher. A microform edition should always be allocated a separate ISMN. 6.2 Different bindingsA separate ISMN should be allocated to each different binding in which a particular title is published, even if the contents are identical. For instance, a hardback edition and a paperback edition should each receive a separate ISMN. Examples:
A change of cover design, where the contents of the item are unchanged, or a change in colour or other marginal difference between the binding of one impression and a subsequent impression, does not constitute a change of binding and a new ISMN should not be given. Back to Contents6.3 Different formatsA separate ISMN must be allocated to each separately saleable or obtainable component of a publication. It is strongly recommended that a complete list of the ISMNs allocated to all components of a publication be displayed on one or more of these components (see section 7.1). 6.3.1 Scores and partsFor a publication consisting of scores and parts, the full score, a set of parts as a whole, and each individual part (if available separately) must be allocated its own ISMN. Example:
6.3.2 Scores available as part of a setWhere a score is available only as an item in a set and not as an individual saleable item, it must be allocated the ISMN of the set. However, if it may eventually be made available as a separate item, it should be allocated its own ISMN. Example:
Where a score is available both as a separate item and as part of a set, the set should receive an ISMN and the score should be allocated its own ISMN. Example:
6.3.3 Parts available separatelyAn ISMN should be allocated to each separately printed part that is available as a separate item. Example:
6.3.4 Parts available separately and in setsWhere separately printed parts are available as a set as well as being available as separate items, the set must be allocated its own ISMN as should each separately printed part. Example:
6.3.5 Parts available only in setsWhere individual instrumental or vocal parts are not available separately but only as a set, an ISMN must be allocated to the set and each separately printed part should receive the ISMN allocated to that set. Example:
The score receives its own ISMN; each individual part receives the ISMN for the set only. Note: individual parts that are available only in a set should be allocated their own individual ISMNs if and when they are made available as separate items. 6.3.6 Some parts available separately, some only in setsWhere some of the separately printed parts in a set are available individually and some are only available in a set, each separately available part should be allocated its own ISMN as an individual item; all other parts should receive the ISMN allocated to the set in which they are available. Example:
6.3.7 Multiple packsWhere a separately available item is also available in a pack that only contains multiple copies of the item, the pack should be allocated its own unique ISMN. Example:
6.4 Different versionsIf a publisher issues a title in more than one arrangement or version, each arrangement or version should be allocated its own ISMN. Examples:
6.5 Multi-volume publicationsAn ISMN should be allocated to the whole set of volumes of a multivolume publication as well as to each individual volume in the set (see section 8.3). Examples:
Note: If one of the volumes is only printed text, it may also be given an ISBN. Back to Contents6.6 Publications with subsidiary materialWhere a printed music publication includes subsidiary material, such as a separately published song text or lyrics, a commentary or the like, and the items are sold only as a package, the subsidiary item should receive the same ISMN as the volume it accompanies. Examples:
If the subsidiary item(s) is (are) sold separately as well as together, the publication should be treated as a multivolume publication (see section 6.5). Back to Contents6.7 Anthologies and excerptsAnthologies and excerpts should be allocated their own unique ISMNs, whether or not the items in the anthology or the larger work have been previously published or are long out of print. An ISMN given to an individual item in a previous context may be displayed on the new publication, for instance, at the bottom of the first page of music of each part. Such ISMNs must be clearly distinguished from the ISMN of the new publication. 6.8 Back stockPublishers are urged to number their back stocks and to publish the ISMNs in their catalogues. They should also print the ISMN in the first reprint of an item from their back stock. 6.9 Rights bought from other publishersWhere a publisher, including an agent with sole-selling rights, has bought the rights to a musical work from another publisher and publishes that work under his or her own imprint, the publication should be allocated a new ISMN by the new publisher. If several publishers have bought the rights, each for their own territory, each should allocate their own ISMN. 6.10 Collaborative publicationsA publication issued as a co-edition or joint imprint by several publishers may be allocated ISMNs by each participating publisher. The ISMNs of all publishers named in the imprint should be printed in the publication and clearly identified. Back to Contents6.11 Music sold or distributed by agentsAccording to the principles of the ISMN system, a particular edition published by a particular publisher receives only one ISMN. This ISMN should be retained no matter where or by whom the music is distributed or sold. Only in the following exceptional circumstances may a number be allocated by an agency other than the publisher:
6.12 Publishers with more than one place of publication6.12.1 A publisher operating in a number of places that are listed in the imprint should allocate only one ISMN to an item.6.12.2 A publisher operating separate and distinct offices or branches in different places may have a publisher identifier for each office or branch. Nevertheless, each item should be allocated only one ISMN and this allocation should be made by the office or branch responsible for publication. 6.13 Prohibition on re-use of an ISMNAn ISMN once allocated must under no circumstances be re-used. If a number is incorrectly allocated, it must be deleted from the list of usable numbers and must not be allocated to another title. Publishers will have sufficient numbers in their ranges for the loss of this number to be insignificant. Publishers should advise the Australian ISMN Agency (see section 8.1) of deleted numbers and of the items to which they were erroneously allocated. Back to Contents7. Printing and publicising of the ISMNThe ISMN should appear on the published item itself and should always be printed in easily legible type (9 point or larger). 7.1 Printing of the ISMN on music publications7.1.1 Position of the ISMNThe ISMN should be printed on the back of a score or part. If possible, it should also be printed with the copyright notice. If it is not possible to print the ISMN on the back of a score or part, it should be printed in some other prominent position (e.g. at the bottom of the first page of music). When the item is a single sheet, the ISMN should appear in only one place on the item. When the item is an anthology, the ISMN of the anthology must be clearly distinguished from any other ISMNs that may be printed on individual items contained in the anthology. If a Cataloguing-in-Publication (CIP) entry has been supplied, it should be printed in full near the other publication details. Authors' birth dates may be omitted if desired. The entry should appear under the heading "National Library of Australia Cataloguing-in-Publication entry". 7.1.2 Complete listing of ISMNs belonging to a publicationIt is strongly recommended that a complete list of the ISMNs allocated to all constituent parts of a publication be displayed on at least one of the items. Each ISMN should be followed by a brief description of the numbered part. If possible, an identical list should be displayed on one or more other items as well. Examples:
For a multivolume publication (see section 6.5):
If a set of parts is distributed in a wrapper, the ISMN for the set should be printed on the wrapper. If the parts are available individually, the ISMNs of all individual parts should also be given on the wrapper. Back to Contents7.2 Printing of the ISMN in machine readable codingFor OCR (optical character recognition) purposes, the ISMN should be printed in OCR-B format. The rapid, worldwide extension of bar code scanning has made it advisable to use the international EAN-13 digit bar code. From 1st January 2008 the first three digits (979) of the ISMN prefix correspond to the Bookland code within the GS1 system. There is no need for conversion as in the previous 10-digit ISMNs. 7.3 Providing the 13 digit bar code - Instructions for makers of film mastersTo provide the ISMN Bookland or EAN bar code film masters to publishers to print on their products, the following procedures should be observed: Validate the ISMN provided by the publisher, using the ISMN check digit validation routine, to avoid any transcription or transposition errors (see section 2.1.4 Check character for ISMNs). ISMNs in the new 13-digit format, to be used from 1st January 2008, can be directly encoded into the EAN-13 Bar Code symbol. For ISMNs still in the 10-digit format, replace the 'M' prefix with 979-0- to obtain the ISMN Bookland number (see 7.2). Print the following:
All these procedures should be achievable through computer programming. EAN technical requirements for bar code printing should be observed. ISMNs printed in machine readable form are still subject to the rules laid down in this manual. Please contact the Australian ISMN Agency for advice. For technical specifications relating to bar codes and names of bar code producers please contact GS1 Australia. Back to Contents7.4 Publicising the ISMNISMNs should appear in publishers' advertisements, catalogues and stock lists; they should also appear in leaflets, brochures and all other publicity and marketing materials. In such materials, the ISMN should be printed in a prominent position close to the title and description of the item. The full ISMN should always be given, although it is acceptable to omit the letters "ISMN" as long as it is clear that the number is an International Standard Music Number. Back to Contents8. ISMN and other international standard numbers8.1 ISMNIn Australia the ISMN system is administered by the Australian ISMN Agency at the National Library of Australia. Publishers from all states and territories in Australia should contact the Agency at the National Library to be assigned a publisher identifier and a block of ISMNs. Contact: Australian ISMN Agency 8.2 ISBNSome music publications may be distributed through the book trade. Publishers issuing music materials intended for the book market may assign an ISBN (International Standard Book Number) in addition to the ISMN. It is sometimes difficult to determine whether a publication (such as a song book, a hymnal or an album with extensive textual or illustrative material) is a music edition, a normal book, or both. In these cases also, both an ISMN and an ISBN may be assigned. If the publisher wishes to use only one type of number, the choice is at the publisher's discretion. However, it is probably better to use the ISMN when the type of publication is in doubt. In Australia the ISBN system is administered by Thorpe-Bowker. Contact: Thorpe-Bowker The ISMN and ISBN, where they are both assigned, must be printed on the publication and clearly identified. Back to Contents8.3 ISSNIn addition to ISMN and ISBN, a complementary numbering system for serial publications is also in existence, the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN). A serial is defined as any publication, regardless of medium, issued in successive parts, often bearing numerical or chronological designations, and intended to be continued indefinitely. (Serials are distinguished from multi-volume publications, which are intended to be complete in a finite number of volumes. See section 6.5.) Serials include periodicals and series. There are only a few periodicals of printed music, but many music publications are issued in series. Both categories should be assigned an ISSN for the serial title (which remains the same for all issues of a periodical or individual volumes of a series) and an ISMN for each individual item in the series. (If the serial title changes, a new ISSN is necessary.) In Australia, the ISSN system is administered by the Australian ISSN Agency in the National Library of Australia. Contact: Australian ISSN Agency Publishers of Australian serials should apply to the Australian ISSN Agency for ISSNs for their serial publications. Publishers do not themselves assign ISSNs. The ISMN and ISSN, where they are both assigned, must be printed on the publication and clearly identified. Back to Contents8.4 ISRCThe ISMN is not intended for sound or video recordings except when they form part of a printed music publication (see section 3). The International Standard Recording Code (ISRC) numbers each recording of a piece (but often not the physical item), regardless of the context or carrier in which it is issued. The ISRC system is administered by the International Federation of Phonogram and Videogram Producers (IFPI). Contact: IFPI Secretariat 9. Legal DepositBesides assisting publishers of printed music by assigning ISMNs, the National Library of Australia also administers Legal Deposit, a program which legally requires each Australian publisher to deposit a copy of every published work with the National Library and the appropriate State Library. This ensures that your publication will be kept and protected for posterity. Materials received on legal deposit are catalogued on the National Bibliographic Database as well as added to the Library's permanent collection. For more information on legal deposit, please contact: Legal Deposit Unit 10. Cataloguing-in-Publication (CIP)CIP is a free service offered by the National Library of Australia. It involves the preparation of a catalogue entry for an item before it is published. This CIP entry, which is derived from information supplied by publishers, appears in the printed item. CIP entries are listed on the Libraries Australia database which is used extensively by libraries throughout Australia, and CIP information is also distributed to similar overseas databases. CIP entries for books are prepared by the CIP Unit while CIP entries for printed music items are prepared by the ISMN Agency. Music publishers requiring a CIP entry may indicate this when requesting an ISMN or notifying the Agency of allocation of an ISMN. A separate CIP form does not need to be completed to obtain a CIP entry for an item being allocated an ISMN. CIP entries are supplied to publishers within 10 working days of receipt of a Request for ISMN form or a Notification of ISMN allocated form. Entries are supplied by email where it is available, or else by fax or mail. 11. Help completing application forms11.1 ISMN registration formNumbers used below correspond to numbers used on form. Forms can be completed online, or downloaded in Word or PDF formats. Alternatively, printed copies can be supplied by the Agency. 1. Publisher name 2. Former name/s 3. Abbreviations & acronyms 4. Other name/s 7. & 8. Phone/Fax 12. Publisher category 13. Type of music published 14. Are you agreeable to the above details being made
publicly available in the Australian Music Publishers Directory on the ISMN
Agency website? 15. Have you previously been assigned an ISMN publisher
identifier? 16. Are you prepared to be responsible for allocating your
own ISMNs from a block assigned to you? 17. No. of items published per year 18. Do you intend to allocate ISMNs to items on the
backlist? 19. If yes, size of backlist 20. How do you want your block of ISMNs delivered to
you? 21. Contact person 22. Any other information or comments 11.2 Request for ISMN / Notification of ISMN allocated formsNumbers used below correspond to numbers used on forms. 3. Publisher identifier 4. Availability address for item 7. Composer's full name & life dates 8. Names, dates (if available) and functions of other persons
associated with item 10. Place of publication 11. Publication date 12. Price 13. Publisher's own reference no. 14. Edition 15. Version 16. Physical description 17. Series title & no. 18. Is the title part of a multi-volume publication?
19. Has this title or any part of it been allocated an ISBN
or an ISSN? 20. Cataloguing-in-Publication (CIP) entry 21. Item details 22. Parts of title available separately 23. Any other information or comments 12. Guidelines for publishers registered with the ISMN AgencyBeing registered with the Australian ISMN Agency involves certain responsibilities on the part of the publisher as well as on the part of the Agency. The Agency undertakes to:
The Publisher undertakes to:
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