FAQs – ISBN, ISMN

How to get an ISBN

In the National Library of the Czech Republic it is possible to obtain free of charge:

  • a set of ISBNs for publishers based in the Czech Republic,
  • an individual ISBN for a book/e-book/audiobook published by a natural or legal person based in the Czech Republic

How to obtain (a set of) ISBNs for a publishing house

  • A set of ISBNs is obtained by a natural or legal person immediately after registration in the ISBN system. The conditions can be found on the website of the National Library of the Czech Republic: https://www.nkp.cz/sluzby/sluzby-pro/isbn-ismn-issn/isbn-online (in Czech)
  • When the allocated set of numbers is depleted, the publisher applies to the Czech National ISBN and ISMN Agency for a new set of ISBNs

How to obtain an ISBN for a specific book (for publishers)

  • An individual ISBN is obtained by a natural or legal person on the basis of an application. The ISBN application form is filled in by the entity that publishes the book.

How to obtain an ISBN for a specific book (for libraries)

  • A library cataloguing a newly published book without an ISBN can obtain an ISBN for that book on request. A request for an ISBN sent to isbn@nkp.cz should include scans of the description source (for books with barcodes, also a scan of the page with the code).

How to get an ISMN

At the National Library of the Czech Republic you can obtain free of charge:

  • ISMN set for publishers based in the Czech Republic,
  • an individual ISMN for a music book/e-music book published by a natural or legal person based in the Czech Republic.

How to obtain (a set of) ISMNs for a publishing house

  • A set of ISMNs is obtained by a natural or legal person immediately after registration in the ISMN system. The conditions can be found on the website of the National Library of the Czech Republic: https://www.nkp.cz/sluzby/sluzby-pro/isbn-ismn-issn/ismn-online (in Czech)
  • When the allocated set of numbers is depleted, the publisher applies to the Czech National ISBN and ISMN Agency for a new ISMN set.

How to obtain an ISMN for a specific music book (for publishers)

  • An individual ISMN is obtained by a natural or legal person on the basis of an application. The ISMN application form is completed by the entity that publishes the music.

How to obtain an ISMN for a specific music book (for libraries)

  • A library cataloguing a freshly produced music book published without an ISMN can obtain an ISMN for that music book on request. A request for an ISMN sent to ismn@nkp.cz should include scans of the source description (for music with barcode, also a scan of the page with the code).

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