On Wed, 12 Jan 2000, Joanna Tousley-Escalante wrote:

> We are searching all possible sources for such a number, including OCLC,
> Ulrich's, the ISSN database, et al.  But I can't help but wonder if we're
> overlooking a possible source for more information.  One problem is that
> often the title in hand being searched is a second language edition and if
> staff know the English version of the title the ISSN can be identified.
> But the sources we're using often do not provide that link between the
> different versions.

Web access to the ISSN register is available for purchase from the ISSN
International Center.  They do offer free, trial access to ISSN ONLINE so
you can sign up for trial access and then determine whether it's worth it
to subscribe.

Home page is www.issn.org

> Also, this system has a check that requires the ISSN to be a "valid" ISSN.
> So for those titles with no ISSN we cannot just add a made up number.
> Does anyone know how to make a valid ISSN that is not a correct ISSN?  I
> have seen ISSN's in the $z subfield on OCLC, and I also have seen ISSN's
> with X as the last digit.  Is there a way we can create a dummy ISSN
> within the valid structure of the ISSN?

Again, the ISSN International Center provides this information.  At

http://issnic.issn.org:591/issn_check/search.htm

they provide a form for you to check the validity of the ISSN.  If the
ISSN you input it not valid, it will reply showing you the algorithm for
determining the check digit.

Hope this helps.  --Steve

    Steve Shadle           shadle@u.washington.edu  *******
    Serials Cataloger                                *****
    University of Washington Libraries, Box 352900    ***
    Seattle, WA 98195               (206) 685-3983     *