National library assigns 26,000 ISBNs in nine months

The National Library of Nigeria has announced that it has issued over 26,000 International Standard Book Numbers (ISBN) since the beginning of 2024.

It also revealed that authors and researchers can now obtain ISBNs, International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN), newspaper publication indexes, and other services online.

National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of the National Library of Nigeria (NLN), Prof. Chinwe Anunobi, stated this in an interview with reporters in Abuja to mark her three years in office.

The Guardian reports that while the ISBN is a unique 13-digit identifier assigned to books, eBooks, and other published materials, ISSN is an 8-digit identifier assigned to periodical publications such as magazines, journals, newspapers, online publications, and serials.

The National Librarian said the library has branches in 33 states of the Federation, including the FCT, while Kebbi, Zamfara, Delta, and Anambra states are still working to provide land for the library to establish offices.

According to her, Nigerians no longer have to visit their offices, as they can get the needed information from the website of the NLN and its social media handles.

Prof. Anunobi revealed that the organisation has amassed a substantial repository of more than 20,000 titles, which can be accessed by Nigerians.

Her words: “From January to September this year, we have issued more than 26,000 ISBNs. You don’t need to come to the National Library of Nigeria to access the information you need. We have a virtual library. We also subscribed to ProQuest for e-books. We have an Online Public Access Catalog. We are doing a compendium of the numerical and alphabets in our indigenous languages, among other digital services at the National Library of Nigeria.

“We are using automated processes. We have over 20,000 titles deposited in the National Library of Nigeria from 36 states of the federation and the FCT.

“So, it has been three eventful years, and we hope to surmount our challenges, especially as we are receiving huge support from the Honourable Minister of Education, Prof. Tahir Mamman.”

She added that despite the paucity of funds and other challenges faced by the library, members of the staff remain undaunted in meeting the needs of Nigerians.

“The international community and Artificial Intelligence (AI) now refer to the National Library of Nigeria for information. If you are looking for any information in the newspaper, you won’t need to flip through pages. You will just go to the index on our website, and you will get the information as long as it was published online by the newspaper,” she said.