Other services for publishers

At the National Library of Scotland we seek to develop positive relationships with publishers of all sizes. This page highlights a few services for publishers provided by us or by other organisations that you may find useful. If you have any questions about these services, or anything not listed here, please contact us.

ISBNs and ISSNs are internationally recognised standard numbers used by the book trade, publishers and libraries for the identification of books and serials. ISBNs are used to identify editions of print books or eBooks. ISSNs are used for the identification of print or electronic journal titles, magazines and other serial publications issued in successive parts under a common title.

To request an ISBN or ISSN for your publication, please contact the appropriate agency below.

International Standard Book Numbers are assigned by:

The UK International Standard Book Numbering Agency
3rd Floor
Midas House
62 Goldsworth Road
Woking
GU21 6LQ

Tel: 01483 712215 (09.00-17.00)
Fax: 01483 712214
Email: isbn.agency@nielsen.com
Website: www.isbn.nielsenbook.co.uk

The allocation of ISSNs for British serial publications is carried out by:

The ISSN UK Centre
British Library
Boston Spa
Wetherby
West Yorkshire
LS23 7BQ

Tel: 01937 546959
Fax: 01937 546562
Email: issn-uk@bl.uk

There is no separate registration of ISBNs or ISSNs for books and journals in Scotland.

The Cataloguing-in-publication programme (CIP) provides libraries and the book trade with records of new and forthcoming books in advance of publication in the UK and Ireland.

This programme is operated for the British Library by Bibliographic Data Services Limited. For information, contact:

Publisher Liaison Department
Bibliographic Data Services Limited
Annandale House
The Crichton
Bankend Road
Dumfries
DG1 4TA

Tel: 01387 702251
Fax: 01387 702259
Email: info@bibdsl.co.uk

If you are looking for visual resources, it might be possible for us to supply a limited number of images for publication.

We are happy to help with this, and recommend that you check the pages on the site dealing with copying services, which includes digital imaging, and permission to reproduce. Fees charged for copying services are also online.

Further information on specific material is available on the Rare Books, Manuscripts, and Maps Collections pages.