University Publications – ISBNs & Legal Deposit

What is an ISBN?

An ISBN is a 13 digit number used by publishers, booksellers, and libraries for ordering, listing, and stock control purposes.  The following can be assigned an ISBN:

• Printed books and pamphlets
• Online publications
• Multi-media kits containing print materials
• Educational videos and software

JCU Library does not provide ISSNs for serials.  If you require an ISSN contact the Australian ISSN Agency at https://www.nla.gov.au/the-australian-issn-agency

Request an ISBN or ISSN

JCU staff or departments can apply for a single ISBN or series of ISBN’s when they are the author/s of material published by the University.

To request an ISBN send an email to isbn@jcu.edu.au and provide:

• Title
• Author(s) or editors
• Publishing body (College, School, Centre)

The ISBN will be emailed back to the requestor along with the necessary information to ensure compliance with the legal deposit statutory provisions depending on whether the material is in print or electronic format.

It is your responsibility to arrange legal deposit of your publication.

What is Legal Deposit?

Legal deposit is a statutory requirement through national and state legislation to provide for the collection, preservation, and access to material published within Australia.

How to Deposit

Print publications – The State Library of Queensland has up-to-date address details for where a print copy must be posted within one month of publication.

Electronic publications – Legal deposit legislation also applies to electronic/online only publications. From 30 May 2019, electronic publications only need to be deposited once with the National edeposit service (NED) in order to be discoverable in national and state library systems.

To make your edeposit visit the NED website at: ned.gov.au/

Once you have deposited an electronic publication to NED your obligations for national legal deposit have been fulfilled.

Contact Details

Email: isbn@jcu.edu.au

Phone: 07 4781 4572