ISBN

An International Standard Book Number is a specific number issued to any published volume. Although often appearing on Bahá'í books, this is not a specifically Bahá'í arrangement. The number is constructed to a certain formula, and is only issued by certain specialised agencies. In theory, any recently-published book can be obtained through the book trade, by referring to this number. The publisher has to take the initiative in obtaining a number, and must pay for the privilege. Even in the more economically prosperous countries, books by smaller publishers still frequently appear without I.S.B.N.s. Crucially, the first part of the number identifies the publisher, so if the publisher has "purchased" a set of ten numbers, he/she does not have to notify the issuing agency immediately as to the titles of the ten books he/she allocates to them. Anyone quoting the number should find the query directed to the correct publisher.

This is a soft redirect, see ISBN.