What is the ISSN serial number?

ISSN is the international standard serial number, which is prefixed with ISSN and consists of 8 digits. The 8 digits are divided into 4 digits in each of the first and second paragraphs, connected by a connecting number in the middle. The format is ISSN XXXX-XXXX. The first 7 digits are serial numbers and the last digit is a check digit.

For example:

ISSN 5088-5044

The origin of ISSNs

The ISSN is managed by the International ISDS Center in Paris, France. Since 1975, it has set up a worldwide standard bibliographic database of continuous publications, and has registered 650,000 journals (including those that have been discontinued) published in nearly 200 countries and regions, making it the most authoritative bibliographic data network system in the world.

The ISSNs are usually printed on the cover or copyright page of the issue. The ISSNs can be used for both domestic and foreign editions. The ISSNs are managed by the ISBN Administration, which is located at the National Prussian Library of Cultural Heritage in Berlin, Germany. One of the main tasks of the agency is to assign area numbers to regional agencies at the next level.

While most regional institutions are housed in national libraries, this is not the case for some large countries and regions.

For example, the regional organization in the United Kingdom is Whittaker Company, which was the national ISBN center in the United Kingdom before the ISBN was invented, and can be said to be the pioneer of ISBN. The regional center for the United States is Bowker.