|| About the U.S. ISSN Center ||
The U.S. ISSN Center, part of the international ISSN Network, assigns International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSN) to serials published in the U.S. The ISSN is a standard identifier for serials (e.g., journals, magazines, newsletters, newspapers, annuals) whether published in print, online or other media. Each medium version is assigned a separate ISSN.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
|| ISSN General Information ||
ISSN is for Serials
The ISSN explained in detail, including:
ISSN for Electronic Serials
A separate ISSN is required for each medium. To date, thousands of ISSN have been assigned to serials on computer disk, CD-ROM and online electronic serials.
What's in a Name?
Presentation guidelines for serial publications (prepared by the Serials Section of ALCTS, American Library Association).
|| Special Topics ||
Searching in WorldCat
Your publication is now searchable by the title or the ISSN number as soon as the ISSN has been assigned.
|| ISSN Application Forms ||
The ISSN application is a "fillable" pdf form. Once completed, it should be emailed, faxed, or mailed to the Library of Congress for processing. Full instructions and a link to the form are provided on the application forms page.
ISSN Application Spreadsheet A spreadsheet that can be used under certain circumstances to request ISSN for multiple titles already in publication is now available. Please read the instructions on the application forms page carefully to learn about when and how to use the spreadsheet.
|| News ||
PIE-J Now Available PIE-J, a recommended practice on the presentation & identification of e-journals, is now available from the National Information Standards Organization (NISO). The document contains detailed guidance for publishers and platform providers about title presentation, accurate use of ISSN, and citation practices. Among the multiple appendices are extensive examples of good practices using screenshots from various publishers' online journals platforms; a discussion of helpful resources for obtaining title history and ISSN information, and an overview of the ISSN with key points for using it correctly.
|| Contact Us ||
Library of Congress
ISSN Publisher Liaison Section
101 Independence Ave., S.E.
Washington, DC 20540-4284
Tel.: (202) 707-6452
Fax: (202) 707-6333
Email: issn@loc.gov
Service Hours:
Monday-Friday 9:30 am – 5:00 pm.
Last Updated: April 23, 2013
