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What is the ISSN?

The ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) is an identification code for periodical publications. It is a unique eight-digit number divided into two four-digit groups separated by a hyphen and preceded by the letters ISSN (e.g. ISSN 1406-6149). The ISSN does not contain elements for identifying the language, state or publisher.

Why is the ISSN useful?

- The ISSN enables quick and exact identification of periodicals,
- facilitates the subscription and selling of periodicals all over the world,
- makes accounting easier.
The Estonian ISSN Centre distributes data about the serial publications, which have joined the ISSN system, to the International ISSN Centre in Paris. The data is added to the ISSN database available on CD-ROMs and as a web publication on the ISSN Online homepage.   

ISSN identifiers are assigned to:

Journals, newspapers, annuals (accounts, yearbooks, directories etc.), serial publications, and research reports of associations, transactions, collections etc. regardless of whether these items are printed or issued electronically.

What is the difference between the ISSN and ISBN identifiers?

The ISBN is a book identifier; the ISSN is assigned to serial publications. Continued publications, book series and yearbooks may obtain both identifiers. Each part of a continued publication with a special title obtains a new ISBN number; the ISSN remains the same unless the title of the series is changed.

Displaying the ISSN on the publication

The ISSN is printed on a visible location of each issue of a serial using the following preference: front cover, title page, back cover. On a journal, the ISSN should be located in the upper right-hand corner of the front cover. On a non-print serial, the ISSN is placed on both the container and the information carrier.

What kind of web publications obtain the ISSN?

The ISSN is an identifier for both print and web publications. All web publications, which have been assigned an ISSN number, are registered in the international database of serials ISSN Online with hyperlinks to the corresponding publication. 
The Estonian ISSN Centre suggests that the ISSN be assigned to web publications which
- are parallel versions of print serials (both publications obtain their own ISSN); whereas, the content of the web publication should more or less coincide with the content of the print version;
- are issued only online, either in the form of a traditional journal or a serial publication (as numbers or successive parts), or are constantly updated, with their definite titles and responsibility data.

Displaying the ISSN on online publications

The ISSN is located in a visible place on the homepage or the opening page of the publication, preferably close to the title. In case of both, print and online versions, it is preferable to present both ISSN numbers:
ISSN 1406-0957 (print)
ISSN 1406-0949 (online)

ISSN and EAN code

In 1980, an agreement was concluded between the Article Numbering Association (EAN) International, the International ISBN Agency and the International ISSN Centre with the aim to simplify obtaining trade item barcodes by the publishers of books and periodicals who had joined the standard number system. In Estonia, this register is maintained by the EAN-EESTI - a full member of the EAN International.
The publications with ISSN identifiers registered in the Estonian ISSN Centre obtain a paid EAN-13 barcode from the EAN-EESTI.

The address of EAN-EESTI is:
Tulika 19, Tallinn 10631
Phone: (2) 650 5063, Fax: (2) 650 5093
E-mail: infoean.ee
Managing Director Raivo Rits, Adviser Hille Harjak
Homepage: www.issn.ee

Obtaining the ISSN in Estonia

The Estonian ISSN Centre, operating in the National Library of Estonia since 1995, is the only institution in Estonia, which assigns the ISSN to serial publications.
ISSN assignment is free of charge.
It is also possible to apply for the ISSN electronically.

The Estonian ISSN Centre
The National Library of Estonia
Tõnismägi 2, Tallinn 15189
Phone: 630 7367
Fax: 631 1200
E-mail: issnnlib.ee
Homepage: www.issn.org