September 27, 2006
OCLC Technical Bulletin 253 Now Available
ISBN and OCLC Number Changes
OCLC Technical Bulletin 253, ISBN and OCLC Number Changes, is now available in both HTML and PDF formats, at: www.oclc.org/support/documentation/worldcat/tb/253/default.htm. This Technical Bulletin describes the implications of the following major changes in OCLC bibliographic records and what you need to do to prepare for them:
- The OCLC implementation of 13-digit ISBNs — The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is currently 10 digits. Starting January 1, 2007, the ISBN will be 13 digits. Some publishers have already switched to the new, longer numbers. After January 1, 2007, all publishers must use them.
- The expansion of the OCLC WorldCat record control number from eight to nine digits — Currently, the OCLC control number is a fixed-length, eight-digit number. However, OCLC will soon reach the last eight-digit number. On November 12, 2006, WorldCat records will be able to have nine-digit OCLC numbers. The 100 millionth WorldCat record will be the first nine-digit number.
For more information, contact BCR's Linda Gonzalez at lgonzale@bcr.org.
