The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is a 13-digit identifier assigned to commercially distributed books and book-like products. In Canada, the ISBN agency is Library and Archives Canada (LAC), which administers the assignment of publisher prefixes at no cost to Canadian publishers.

Printing press inking mechanism in a print office
A traditional printing press inking mechanism. Photo: Wikimedia Commons / CC BY-SA.

How the ISBN System Works in Canada

Every ISBN consists of five parts: the GS1 prefix (978 or 979), the group identifier for the country or language area, the publisher prefix, the title number, and a check digit. In Canada, the group identifier is 0 or 1 for English-language publications and 2 for French-language publications, following the standard international arrangement.

Library and Archives Canada assigns publisher prefixes to organisations and individuals who publish in Canada. The prefix length determines how many ISBNs are available within that block: a short publisher prefix provides more title numbers, while a longer prefix provides fewer. Small presses and community archives typically receive longer prefixes, which allow for blocks of 10 or 100 ISBNs — sufficient for most local history publishing programmes.

Applying for an ISBN in Canada

  • Applications are submitted online through the Library and Archives Canada ISBN portal.
  • The service is free for Canadian publishers.
  • A publisher account is required before individual ISBNs can be assigned.
  • Each distinct format of a title (hardcover, paperback, PDF) requires a separate ISBN.
  • ISBNs are not transferable between titles or publishers.

ISBN Prefix Blocks for Small Presses

The length of the publisher prefix in a prefix block directly affects the number of available title numbers. The structure works as follows: the total length of the ISBN core (excluding the GS1 prefix 978 and the check digit) is 9 digits. Those 9 digits are divided between the group identifier, the publisher prefix, and the title number. A longer publisher prefix leaves fewer digits for title numbers.

978 - 0 - XXXXX - YYY - C
GS1 | Group | Publisher Prefix | Title | Check

A community archive that expects to publish fewer than 100 titles over its lifespan will typically receive a prefix that supports 10 or 100 ISBNs. Should the organisation grow, LAC can assign additional prefix blocks through the same application process.

One ISBN per Format

A common point of confusion is the relationship between editions and formats. A new edition of a title — one with revised text — requires a new ISBN. But a title issued simultaneously as a perfect-bound paperback and as a PDF also requires two ISBNs, one for each format, even if the text is identical. This rule applies to digital formats: an ePub and a PDF of the same text each need their own identifier.

For community museum catalogues distributed both as printed copies and as downloadable PDFs on a website, this means assigning at least two ISBNs per catalogue title.

Barcode Embedding for Printed Catalogues

The barcode printed on a book's back cover encodes the ISBN in EAN-13 format, which is the standard retail barcode format used worldwide. The barcode represents the 13-digit ISBN (GS1 prefix included), and an optional supplementary barcode to the right can encode a price in the form of a currency code and four digits.

For small-press publications not intended for retail distribution, the price supplement is optional. Community archives producing catalogues for sale only through their own premises or website may choose to omit the price barcode to keep the cover design cleaner.

Barcode Generation Practical Notes

  • Many print-on-demand providers generate the barcode automatically from the ISBN entered during title setup.
  • If providing a print-ready PDF with an embedded barcode, the barcode should be at least 25mm wide and printed at 300 dpi or higher in black on a white or light background.
  • The ISBN must also appear in human-readable digits below the barcode.
  • The quiet zones (white margins) on each side of the barcode must be maintained for scanner reliability.

Legal Deposit and ISBN

Obtaining an ISBN does not automatically fulfil the legal deposit requirement. Under the Legal Deposit of Publications Regulations in Canada, publishers are required to deposit copies of their publications with Library and Archives Canada. ISBN registration and legal deposit are separate processes managed through different LAC channels. Community archives producing printed catalogues should address both requirements independently.

Further Reference

Library and Archives Canada maintains the ISBN Canada programme page with current application procedures. The International ISBN Agency at isbn-international.org publishes the full ISBN standard and user manual.