Services to publishers
ISBN services
The ISBN services are provided by the Seychelles ISBN Agency which falls under the Seychelles National Library.
International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is the international system for numbering books, designed to provide unique identification for all books published and to improve the exchange of information about books for all segments of the book sector.
A separate ISBN must be assigned to every title or edition of a title by each publisher, but not to an unchanged impression or unchanged reprint of the same format by the same publisher. Revised editions require a new ISBN. A price change does not call for a new ISBN. Changes of the format induce a new ISBN. An ISBN, once assigned, can never be re-used under any circumstances.
It is the responsibility of all publishers to inform their group agency or organisation responsible for the maintenance of the title registration of the ISBNs that have been assigned to publish and forthcoming books.
The ISBN block is determined based on the publishing volume.
The prefixes for the publication are calculated in accordance to the international calculating procedure as per the ISBN International Manual.
The Library officer shall by-check the digits allocated to ensure that the correct calculation has been used and the result is accurate.
The ‘Allocation Form’ is prepared and issued to the client. The Publishers International ISBN Directory (PIID) shall be updated and forwarded to the International ISBN Centre in every year.
Procedure to request an ISBN service
Clients may make their request for ISBN by email, telephone calls or in person.
The request is evaluated to ensure that the necessary criteria are met:-
- Publishers must comply with the implementation guidelines including the scope and assignment rules for ISBN. Publishers must supply theSeychelles ISBN Agency with a specified amount of metadata about the publication (such as title, author, format) to which the ISBN is assigned. The Seychelles ISBN Agency will advise the publisher about the metadata required for the publication.
- All publishers must also supply full contact details (name of publisher, mailing address, telephone, fax, email and URL if available).
- All publishers should apply to the appropriate national ISBN agency that is responsible for the country in which they are based. If there is a genuine reason that may prevent a publisher from applying to its national ISBN agency, then the publisher should This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. for advice.
Clients are advised to make their ISBN requests early.
Application forms are available below for download. If all information is correctly entered and all the criteria are met, it would not take more than 3 days to receive an ISBN prefix.
Please send your completed form by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to the following address:
Seychelles ISBN Agency
Seychelles National Library
P.O Box 45
Victoria
Tel: (+248) 4 321333 / 4 387688 / 689
Application form available in two formats:
Word for Windows format: Click here:
Adobe Pdf format: Click here:
ISSN services
The ISSN services are provided by the National ISSN Centre which falls under the Seychelles National Library.
The International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) is a brief, unique, unambiguous and internationally used identification number for serial publications. It allows the exchange of information about serials between the computer systems of different organizations.
A serial is a publication in printed form or not, issued in successive parts usually having numerical or chronological designations and intended to be continued indefinitely. It may include: - periodicals, newspapers, annuals (reports, yearbooks, and directories), journals, memoirs, proceedings and transactions of societies
Procedure to request ISSN service
Clients requesting ISSN may send their request by e-mail, phone or in person at our office.
The request is evaluated to ensure that the necessary criteria are met:-
For a print version these information have to be provided: - complete issue or copy (in pdf or jpg files) of the cover, title page and editorial page. The editorial page must show the name and address of the publisher.
New clients will have to fill the ISSN Application form and return it to the National ISSN Centre.
The ISSN block is determined based on the next available block allocated by the International ISSN Centre.
The Library officer shall by-check the request to ensure that the necessary information is complete.
The ‘Allocation Form’ is prepared and issued to the client. The bibliographical details are prepared upon receipt of the copies deposited under the Legal Deposit to be submitted to the International ISSN Centre.
Forms can be downloaded from the National Library website. If information is correctly entered and all the criteria are met, it would not take more than 3 days to receive an ISBN prefix.
Clients are advised to make their request at least 1 week before they send their publication for printing in order to incorporate it on their printed copy.
Please send your completed form by email to This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it. or by post to the following address:
Seychelles ISSN Centre
Seychelles National Library
P.O Box 45
Victoria
Tel: (+248) 4 321333 / 4 387688 / 689
Application form available in two formats:
Word for Windows format: ISSN application form
Adobe Pdf format: ISSN application form