Writers, publishers tipped on International Standard Book Number (ISBN)

By Maureen Nakatudde                                                                                              

A number of writers, publishers and self-publishers have been struggling with getting international recognized numbers, copyrights and piracy of their works.

However last week the National Library of Uganda (NLU) organised a workshop at their premises to shade more light on the issues and other important details regarding publishing.

One of the eminent issues that arose from the participants was the issue of acquiring International Standard Book Number (ISBN).

One member shared with others that she had paid sh1m for   ten numbers while other people paid sh300, 000 from brokers.

According to Martin Okia, the general secretary of Uganda Publishers’ associations, ISBN numbers are got from National Library of Uganda (NLU) at the moment each costs sh40, 000.

He said that some people were reluctant to purchase the ISBN because they didn’t know where to get them or they’re not attaching values to them.

Having ISBN distinguishes authors’ works from others and makes their books eligible for the international market like Amazon.com.

“It helps to identify the author’s works and source, it is the fastest and most efficient method of ordering and distributing books locally and internationally,” Okia explained.

“It is  also required for running electronic Point -of -sale systems in bookshops,” he added.

trueOne of the publishers who attended  the workshop/PHOTO/Maureen Nakatudde

Besides that, many participants in the workshop were oblivious of International Standard Serial Number (ISSN).

Okia said an ISSN is a unique identifier for a specific continuing resource in a defied medium.

If you have a series of books, they will have the same ISSN and different ISBN for identification. 

This includes all continuing resources whether past, present or to be produced in the foreseeable future, whatever the medium of production, they need ISSN assignment.

 After you have published your works, it is mandatory that you deposit some copies with Uganda National Library.

David Mulaba said that the publisher or the author should post three copies while the government entries 10 copies to the NLU.

“It is important to deposit the books for future use,   for an annual bibliography of NBU,   for safe custody, for research and to ensure that the nation’s published output is collected systematically,” Muluba quips.

 This is in accordance to section 19(i) of the National Library Act, 2003 which state that: “Every publisher of a book or document in Uganda shall at his or her cost deposit three copies of the  book or document  or one copy of the video gram or film and ten copies in government  publications with the NLU,” 19(2) “ A person who contravenes subsection (i) commits an offence and is liable on conviction to a fine not exceeding ten currency points or for imprisonment no exceeding six months or both.”

Putting that aside, a number of writers decried how their books were being pirated.

One writer complained how her book was pirated in Congo by people she had not given permission. But David Mulumba said that piracy is illegal and if you find your works with somebody, you are free to report to the police and you are compensated.

 Mulumba also disclosed that plans are under way to introduce a hologram which is a mark on every book to show that it is not pirated. This hologram will cost sh83 per book and is one of the ways that will curb pirating.

At the end of the workshops, Jacqueline Kayaga the director of NLU applauded members for their turn up.

Kayaga hoped that other workshops will be held to guide the authors and the publishers.