Date: Wed, 02 Apr 2008 11:30:54 -0500
From: Todd Barrett <TBarrett_at_myrcpl.com>
Subject: Validating ISBNs
I am curious how (or if) libraries validate the ISBNs on their
electronic orders.
My library currently uses Horizon for entering orders and then we
EDIFACT orders to
our larger vendors from there. Sometimes we will enter an invalid ISBN
(lets say 9780871139781
which is nonexistent) and it somehow gets translated into another ISBN
(in this case it got translated
into 978087113978*8) *at our vendor. The explanation given to me was
that the vendor takes
our original ordered ISBN and translates it into10 digit format and
reconverts it into 13 digit…and
somewhere along the line it became a valid ISBN, but not the same title
requested. They said this
wouldn’t happen if we validate our ISBNs before ordering? Hence my
original question.
They said some libraries use websites or other programs. What do you
use? It doesn’t happen
too often, but often enough that it is a problem when it happens.
Any assistance would be appreciated.
Todd Barrett
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Received on Sun Apr 20 2008 - 16:27:17 EDT