Management System of ISBN around the World: An Analysis

Purpose: The main purpose is to analyze the management system of ISBN between the member countries and also to explore how national institutions work according to functions suggested by ISBN International Agency. Methodology: The method of the research is survey and the statistical population is the total delegacies of the ISBN Agency including 160 countries which 66 active delegacies were answered for the questionnaire.  A researcher-developed questionnaire is the main tool for gathering data which then analyzed by descriptive statistic methods like frequency, percentage and the like. Findings: The findings showed that 42% of the countries offer ISBN to the publishers with no charge. 60.6 % of the countries developed bibliographic databases for works having ISBN. 74.2% represent publisher’s information to the International Agency for publishing in Publishers International ISBN Directory (PIID). However, 42.2% of agencies edit erroneous ISBN assigned by the publishers to the works. Copy-cataloging, distribution, bibliographic search are respectively among the best functions. In 27% of the countries, publishers know enough about the ISBN system. As mentioned by the member countries, national libraries and publishers unions  are the most important supporters of the ISBN system, workshops and conferences are the most important ways to increase knowledge and motivation  of the publishers For using ISBN, and using mass media, instructional workshops, regional and international conferences are the most important strategies for improvement of ISBN system. Conclusion: ISBN system is not as desired according to efficiency and publishers’ incentives for using it. Development of e-book readers and tablets and their incuriosity towards ISBN, some new standards like DOI and ISAN, and similarity of ISBN to EAN are among the threats to ISBN future. It is of high importance for ISBN system to redefine its nature, structure, performance and efficiency.