SBN and ISBN
Posted: Thu Sep 27, 2007 5:25 am
A few of my books are old enough that they have a 9 digit SBN rather than an ISBN. Does anyone know how to translate these?
9 digit ISBNs were the original form. In the early 1970s a language digit was added to the start of the ISBN making them ten digits.
0 and 1 were allocated to English language publications. If you have a 9 digit number add a zero at the start. Alternatively, 9 digits are equally valid as this was the number given at publication, but is is common practice to add a zero as most automated systems require ten digits or more.
Be aware that from January 2007 thirteen digit ISBNs have been assigned to publications.