[Bookpedia] Cannot search for ISBN-13

[flaneur]

Hi,

I can't search for 13-digit ISBN numbers -- when I click Search in Search Web dialog box, the number is immediately converted to ISBN-10 (and therefore cannot be found in the searched database).

I'm using a custom Z39.50 server as a search site (Polish National Library, as it's in fact the only source with Polish book records), but the problem occurs for other sites as well -- could you please help?

Thanks!

[Conor]

The number is translated only when it's an encoding of a 10 digit version. Every database should have the 10 digit ISBN as well as the 13 digit version. As more databases allow searches by 13 digit ISBNs will stop translating. What is the information for the Polish z39.50 server and two or three sample 13 digit ISBNs so that we can look deeper?

[flaneur]

Hi Conor,

Many thanks for your prompt reply!

The server is alpha.bn.org.pl:210/INNOPAC

I was looking for ISBNs 9788301156701 and 9788324009459. That library has a Web gateway to their Z39.50 catalog that shows MARC records -- as you can see, they store ISBN-13 only for these books:

http://alpha.bn.org.pl/search*pol/tsalo ... i&1%2C0%2C
http://alpha.bn.org.pl/search*pol/tmoje ... e&1%2C0%2C

[Conor]

I have tested all our included sites and they all now support ISBN-13 searches. So I have done the change for the next version, 13 digit ISBNs will not be translated for searching. To get your hands on the update early download the beta.

Thank you for the exact details and links. I tested the z39.50 implementation with the information you provided and updated it to be able to handle the new 13 digit search.

[flaneur]

Hi Conor,

I should have suspected that such a fantastic software has a fantastic developer, too Thanks a lot for implementing the update so quickly!