Introduction of ISBN

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) system was established in 1967. The National Central Library (NCL) of Taiwan was designated to be responsible for the ISBN system in 1988. In July of 1989, the NCL assigned its first ISBN. ISBNs allow efficient and accurate identification of book titles, publishers, and places of publication. They are widely used by publishers, booksellers, and libraries for book ordering and stock control.