How to register ISBN and Catalog Card
One of the most confusing parts for independent writers is how to get the ISBNs of a book and do the Catalog Sheet. Both are the bureaucratic part of publishing a book. In this article I will teach you the best ways to achieve these two essential items when publishing a book or even your TCC.
When you publish a book and intend to sell it, you need to have the barcode, which is created from the unique ISBN number of each published work.
What is a book's ISBN record?
ISBN stands for I. Here in Brazil, the ISBN is managed by Brazilian Book Chamber (CBL), which took over the Brazilian ISBN Agency from March 1, 2020.
CBL was chosen by the International ISBN Agency and has been working ever since to issue ISBN numbers to publishers and authors publishing new books.
The ISBN is a standardized international system that numerically identifies books according to title, author, country and publisher, even individualizing them by edition. Also used to identify software, its numerical system is converted into a barcode, which eliminates language barriers and facilitates the circulation and sale of works.
Once the identification is fixed, it only applies to that work and edition, never being repeated in another. The versatility of this recording system facilitates the interconnection of files and the retrieval and transmission of data in automated systems, which is why it is adopted internationally. The ISBN simplifies bibliographic search and updating, contributing to cultural integration between people.
How much is a book's ISBN?
On the CBL website you need to go through two steps:
- Register as an editor to obtain an editorial prefix. You can register as an individual or legal entity. In the case of registering as an individual, you need to fill out a registration form. You must also send a copy of your CPF and the title page of the book, including the information required by them, such as the author's full name, city and year of publication. To date, this service is free.
- Request the ISBN of the work. The registration fee for each work is Real 22 by ISBN number, plus Real 36 by sending a JPEG file of the barcode, so that you can apply it to the back cover of your book, totaling Real 58.
Some authors choose to register their ISBN on their own, while others prefer to pay for this service. Taking care of this bureaucratic process often irritates less experienced writers.
And I completely understand this stress, as at times the process of registering a work is somewhat confusing, meaning that the documentation sent is not approved. Sometimes, even, with change requests that are difficult for a first-time author to understand. After the documentation comes back two or three times, several authors unfortunately give up.
Costs to hire a professional
The big advantage of hiring a professional to take care of all this bureaucracy is that you won't have to worry about correctly filling out documentation, sending documents and reading pages and pages of instructions on how to send everything correctly. Generally, the cost of hiring an advisor is cheaper than trying to do everything on your own, as they already have their companies registered with the National ISBN Agency and partner librarians. This value can be between 200 a Real 350 in total, to register the ISBN and also create the Catalog Sheet.
How to get the ISBN for a book?
Getting the ISBN for a book is very simple:
- Access the portal Brazilian ISBN Agency;
- Please click Register, if you do not yet have an account and fill out the form or enter, if you have already registered;
- Now click on + Request ISBN;
- Select option ISBN – R$ 22,00 (this is the fee for each ISBN generated);
- Fill in the work data, authorship, complementary data, classification, files and barcode (optional);
- Make payment by credit card or bank slip;
- If you need to create an ISBN for an ebook, simply return to item 3 and follow the steps again, selecting the options relating to the digital book.
You don't have to be a publisher to get the ISBN for a book. Individuals and companies outside the publishing market can obtain the ISBN for their publications without any problems.
How does ISBN work?
The ISBN was created as a stock identifier. Originating in the United Kingdom, the concept of a unique identifier for each version of a published book became an international standard in the 1970s.
It was created to solve a real-world problem, and it worked well. The problem was that, in the pre-internet era, it was often very difficult to identify a particular book, and even more so when a researcher did not have the full title, author and edition available.
How would you know if the book you are looking for is the right one? Book titles are not unique or copyrighted, and it is not uncommon for several different books to have the same title. And similar titles will quickly expand the number of possibilities. Add to this the need to know which edition you are looking for – hardcover, softcover, etc. (Learn more about cover types here).
By using the unique identifier, which is attached to each physical format of a book, this problem is basically solved. Each different title or format has its own unique number for tracking and searching.
What is the ISBN made up of?
It is made up of 13 digits. Each sequence concerns specific information. Take the number 978-85-333-0400-5 as an example:
- 978: Prefix EAN (International entity that manages the product and location numbering system, barcodes and business language);
- 85: Identifier of language group, country or area. Recently Brazil started using the number 65;
- 333: Publisher identifier;
- 0400: Title identifier;
- 5: Check digit.
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Where is the ISBN of a book?
The ISBN of a book is usually positioned together with the barcode on the back cover of each work. There is no standard positioning, so it can be at the bottom, centered or aligned to the right, in a vertical or horizontal position. The positioning of the barcode does not interfere in any way with the identification process.
Inside the book, you can find the ISBN number on the credits page, usually inside the catalog card.
What is the Catalog Sheet?
According to Law 10.753 of October 30, 2003, the Catalog Sheet is mandatory. All published books must contain Cataloging in Publication. This is an international standard established in 1976. (Cataloging-in-Publication – CIP).
You can find out everything about catalog information herei.
Generally, you will find the Catalog Card on the back of the title page or on the last page of a book.
It contains data relating to the work, such as the name of the publisher and author, year of publication, ISBN and subject (according to the rules defined by AACR2 (Anglo-American Cataloging Rules). See an example of a catalog card below:
The best-known body capable of making catalog cards is the Brazilian Book Chamber. But you can hire a librarian or a company BRAND to provide this service at reduced costs.
How much does it cost to request a Catalog Sheet?
. To make the Catalog Sheet, if you choose to do it through the CBL (Brazilian Book Chamber), the cost for members is Real 30 per token. If you are not a member, you must pay the amount of Real 60. You are certainly not a member, so you must pay the full amount.
And to finish
It is up to each author to decide which path to follow. If you are a person who is very comfortable using the internet and don't mind facing online forms and manuals and want to have control over the entire process, this is a good direction.
If you are intimidated by the online world or simply don't want to waste time on it and save money, hiring a professional is an excellent option.
A good consultancy will manage all this for you, both to take care of the ISBN registration and to create the Catalog Sheet. This way, you won't have to worry about anything.
Did you choose to hire a professional to take care of this for you? Click here and receive a special offer.
