Westmead Hospital Library
International Standard Book Numbers (ISBNs)
1. Introduction
An ISBN is a unique code of 10 digits assigned to a book or other material when it is first published, or when it is published as a new edition.
The ISBN is used to identify materials for ordering, stock control and library systems, and simplifies the ordering and identifying of titles. Any material published by staff of WSAHS is considered as produced by Western Sydney Area Health Service.
2. Responsibilities
The Manager, Library and Information Resources is responsible for the assignment of ISBNs for Westmead and WSAHS publications and keeping adequate records of those publications.
3. Types of materials covered
ISBNs are allocated to all printed books, educational films, videos and transparencies, books on cassette, microform, computer disks and electronic publications unless that material is not to be made available to the general public on a national or international basis or the material contains less than 75% text. Ephemeral printed materials are also excluded.
4. ISSNs (International Standard Serials Numbers)
ISSNs are a similar code (8 digits long) assigned to serials. These too need to be allocated unique numbers.
5. Legal Deposit
Under the Copyright Act, 1968 S.201, a copy of each published item must be lodged with the National Library of Australia within one month of publication.
Legal deposit requirements also insist on copies being lodged with other designated libraries within the state of N.S.W. (Copyright N.S.W. Act 1979-1982 SS 5-7) The Manager, Library and Information Resources distributes these legal deposit copies on behalf of WSAHS.
6. Special Forms
There are special forms to be completed by staff requiring ISBN's and/or ISSN's. These are available in the Library.
