How To Apply An ISBN Number In Singapore
How to apply for an ISBN Number in Singapore? This is a question that is so commonly asked by
writers such that we will give some basic information here.
If you wish to self-publish publish a book or an e-book, you need to apply for an ISBN Number from the
National Library Board (NLB). Application is free-of-charge. As a self-published author, you are also
named as the Publisher. Hence, you need to apply the ISBN as a Publisher.
Steps To Applying An ISBN Number in Singapore.
2) Click on “Publisher’s Login”.
3) As you have never applied before, you need to click “Register New Account”. Follow the online
procedures to apply for an account with NLB so that you can apply for an ISBN number. Once your
application is approved, you will receive a Login ID and Password. You need this ID and Password to
apply for the ISBN Number of your book. Login to the same site using this ID and Password and you
can start applying the ISBN Number online. It takes two days for NLB to issue you a ISBN Number.
What is an ISBN?
Every book has a unique 13-digit ISBN number. The purpose is to enable publishers, book suppliers
and libraries worldwide to locate and order items. It is a product code that facilitates tracking and
ordering.
What publications require an ISBN? If you are producing any of the following publications, you will
need an ISBN number.
-Printed books
-Pamphlet (8 pages of more)
-Microform publications like microfilms
-Braille publications
-Mixed media publications
-Other similar media, including educational films/videos and transparencies
-Books on cassettes (audio-books or talking books)
-Microcomputer software
-Electronic publications either on physical carriers (such as machine-readable tapes, diskettes, or -CD-
ROMs) or on the Internet
-Maps if they are to be marketed
If you have an ISBN number already issued for your previous publication, you may need a new ISBN
number under the following conditions:
- A new edition of a publication.
- An existing publication published in a new format, for e.g., a book title re-issued in a CD-ROM format.
The following types of publications do not need a ISBN number:
- Ephemeral printed materials such as diaries, calendars, advertising matter and the like
- Art prints and art folders without title page and text
- Sound recordings (excluding audio-books or talking books)
- Serial publications, i.e., publications that are published at regular intervals (magazines, newspapers
and annual reports). These publications are to be assigned an International Standard Serial Number
(ISSN).
Who Can Apply for An ISBN?
An individual author, publisher or a company can apply for an ISBN. The National Library Board is the
ISBN Agency in Singapore and will issue ISBNs, upon request, if you are publishing a book, book-
related product or a pamphlet of 8 pages or more in Singapore.
Where should the ISBN be printed?
-For most books, the ISBN number will be printed at the copyright page. This refers to the back of the
title page that contains information about the name and address of the publisher, copyright owners etc.
-It can also be printed on:
-the back of the cover in nine-point type or larger
-the back of the dust-jacket, and on the back of any other protective case or wrapper
Check out the full FAQ on ISBN and the Legal Deposit Department here:
How Do I Get A Bar Code For My ISBN Number?
You will need a software to generate the barcode and it can cost you about US$70 onwards. If you only
need one barcode for just one or two books, there is no point to buy the software, you just get one here
for S$15.00.
Type in your ISBN Number and Click the Paypal button to purchase a EAN 13-digit Bar Code. You will
receive the bar code via email in tiff format (.tif) in high resolution to be placed in your backcover.
What Kind of Bar Code Do I Need?
For Singapore context, you just need the EAN 13-digit barcode. See example below.
However, in the United States, The EAN bar code displays a set of two bar codes side by side. The first
bar code on the left is the EAN derived from the ISBN. The bar code of the right, which is smaller, is a
5-digit add-on which often encodes the retail price of the publication. This is referred to as an EAN-5.
The first digit of the add-on data indicates which currency the price is expressed in -- so for US dollars,
the designated digit is a 5. So an add-on of 51995 indicates a price of US$ 19.95.
If you do not want to include the pricing information, then use the default value for the add-on as
90000 -- this will have no pricing info on the bar code. Email us at admin@rankbooks.com if you need
to purchase an ISBN Number with the price add on.
