ISBN - 13 for Dummies

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a unique identifier assigned to every published book. It provides a standard way to identify books.

The International Standards Organization (ISO) is changing the length of the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) from 10 to 13 digits, effective January 1, 2007. The length of the ISBN is being changed to expand the numbering capacity of the ISBN system and prevent numbering shortages from occurring in certain areas of the world.

Prior to January 1, 2007 books will continue to be published using ISBN-10s.

Beginning January 1, 2007 all books will be published with ISBN-13s.

"ISBN-13 For Dummies" details what an ISBN is, how an ISBN is used, and what the components of an ISBN are. ISBN-13 For Dummies also explains the January 2007 transition of the ISBN from a 10-digit number to a 13-digit number in easy to understand language. The purpose of ISBN-13 For Dummies is to help users understand how to work with ISBNs during and after the ISBN-13 transition, what things about ISBNs aren’t going to change, and how to handle the changes that are coming.