THE INTERNATIONAL STANDARD BOOK NUMBER(ISBN)

Abstract

The International System of Units (ISBD) is a crucial element in bibliographic description graphs, but it can also be used to facilitate library processes like ordering circulation, interlending, and national and international data exchange. The National Union Catalogue (NUC) in Nigeria, which has been in operation for thirteen years, has not been published due to various constraints. The NUC's size, individual interpretation of cataloging, and the lack of uniform standard cataloguing make it difficult to handle the NUC. The International System of Units (ISBD) could provide a solution by asking contributing libraries to add the ISBN on their cards, sorting them according to the ISBN. However, this would require an updated periodic ISBN index and distribution to participating libraries. The use of the ISBN is recommended for its simplicity, full identification of titles, and easy computer access.