ISBNi

ISBNi is a proposed extension to the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) intended to improve persistent identification and metadata management for digital editions and multi-edition publications across platforms. Unlike the ISBN alone, which identifies a specific title-form-venue at a given time, ISBNi envisions an augmented identifier or companion code that can carry edition, format, and platform signals while remaining anchored to the base ISBN.

In most proposals, ISBNi is described as an augmentation rather than a replacement for ISBN. It could be represented as an appended suffix, a separate data field in catalogs, or a reversible encoding within digital records. The base ISBN would continue to identify the work, while the ISBNi component would enable edition- and platform-level differentiation in automated systems and linked data environments.

Proponents argue that ISBNi would improve edition discovery, licensing, and asset management in libraries, retailers, and publishers. It would support precise linking of digital assets such as ebooks, audiobooks, and interactive editions, and help maintain stable references when metadata changes across platforms.

As of now, ISBNi is not an official standard adopted by the International ISBN Agency. It exists mainly in bibliographic discussions and pilot concepts. Adoption would require governance, standardization of syntax, and agreement across industry stakeholders.

Critics warn that adding a parallel identifier could create confusion, duplicate metadata, and complicate cataloging workflows. Without a formal standard, implementation could fragment systems and erode the universality of the ISBN.

See also: International Standard Book Number, Digital Object Identifier, ISNI, ISSN.