National Library assigns 26,000 ISBNs in nine months

National Library of Nigeria (NLN) has said it assigned over 26,000 International Standard Book Number (ISBN) this year.

It also stated that authors and researchers could now obtain ISBN, International Standard Serial Number (ISSN), index of newspaper publications and other services online.

National Librarian and Chief Executive Officer of 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 ISBN is a unique 13-digit identifier assigned to books, eBooks, and other published materials; ISSN is an eight-digit identifier given to periodical publications, such as magazines, journals, newspapers, online publications and serials.

According to her, the National Library has branches in 33 states of the Federation, including the FCT, while Kebbi, Zamfara, Delta and Anambra states are yet to provide land for the library to establish offices.

She said Nigerians no longer had to visit their offices as they could get needed information from the NLN website and its social media handles.

She said: “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.”