NATIONAL ISSN CENTRE FOR GERMANY

The ISSN is an international identifier for journals and other serial publications in the electronic and printed sphere.

The ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is an internationally binding standard number as defined in ISO 3297. It provides concise and unique identification of serial publications all over the world. As a unique standard code for identification, the ISSN supports the automatic administration of serial publications and data transmission. Searches are made easier by the existence of a unique identifier for each publication. The ISSN is recorded along with the bibliographical details in the Deutsche Nationalbibliografie and in the international ISSN portal, permitting free global dissemination.

An ISSN can be issued for every publication covered by the collection mandate of the German National Library which appears

periodically (regularly or irregularly)
under a permanent title,
with no predetermined end
in printed or other form (e.g. DVD, Internet)

These include journals, annuals, annual reports, address books, monograph series, loose-leaf works, CD-ROMs, DVDs, databases.

Under certain circumstances an ISSN can be applied for even before the first issue is published. In this case, publishers of printed publications send us the necessary documents (drafts of title page and publisher's imprint) along with a brief covering note. It is not generally possible to pre-assign an ISSN in the case of online publications.

In cases where a publication changes its title, a new ISSN generally has to be issued. Title changes are defined in the "ISSN Manual". A new ISSN is also required if the publication changes its medium, e.g. from print to Internet publication. In such cases please contact the National ISSN Centre for Germany.

The ISSN consists of eight digits, comprised of the (Arabic) numerals 0 - 9. The last digit is a check digit and can also be an "X". The ISSN is then immediately and permanently linked to the title of the publication, the so-called "key title".

No copyright/title protection is afforded by assignment of the ISSN.

The ISSN is issued by national centres.

The National ISSN Centre for Germany is located at the German National Library in Frankfurt am Main.

German National Library

National ISSN-Centre for Germany

Adickesallee 1

60322 Frankfurt

Tel. + 49-69-1525-1481 bzw. -1473

Fax + 49-69-1525-1414

E-Mail: issn@dnb.de

The ISSN Centre will provide comprehensive information on request.

The ISSN Network consists of national centres and the International ISSN Centre