Email Notification of ISSN Assignments
We are now sending official notification of ISSN assignments via email. For cost savings and environmental considerations, print notifications will no longer be sent unless they are requested. Of course, if you do not have email access, we will notify you via the U.S. Postal mail.
Please be sure to supply us with your current email address on the ISSN application. We found email is a very fast and efficient way to notify you of your ISSN number. Response from our users has been very positive. It enables you to receive the number quickly and start displaying the ISSN on issues sooner, especially for online titles.
As always, if you have concerns or input you would like to share with us, please contact us at issn@loc.gov. Thank you for your cooperation.
Searching in WorldCat
Your publication is now searchable by the title or the ISSN number as soon as the ISSN has been assigned. Visit WorldCat.org and select "Advanced search" in order to search by the ISSN.
This is a free search and it offers a quick way to check on the status of your ISSN application if you have not heard from us, or to verify that you are using the correct ISSN after publication has begun.
Library Reorganization Changes ISSN Assignment Responsibility
With the October 14, 2008, reorganization of the Acquisitions and Bibliographic Access Directorate at the Library of Congress, the responsibility for assigning ISSN has changed.
The group that has primary responsibility for assigning ISSN to serials published in the United States is now called the ISSN Publisher Liaison Section, as part of the new U.S. and Publisher Liaison Division (USPL). This section assigns ISSN to publishers (pre-pub and post-pub requests), the U.S. Postal Service, the ISSN International Centre and other ISSN centers around the world, and to CONSER libraries. ISSN PL also handles all queries related to ISSN and the ISSN application process submitted from sources such as publishers, libraries, subscription agents and the Library of Congress.
The email address, telephone number, and FAX number to reach ISSN PL remain the same.
- Email: issn@loc.gov
- Telephone: 202-707-6452
- FAX: 202-707-6333
There has been a slight change in the mailing address of the group. Please note the change to the zip code suffix. The correct address is:
Library of Congress
ISSN Publisher Liaison Section
101 Independence Ave., S.E.
Washington, DC 20540-4284
Please note that several new sections working with U.S. serial publications will now be able to assign an ISSN to a U.S. serial as part of cataloging it. If when they catalog a U.S. serial title, they discover an ISSN has not yet been assigned to the title, they will be able to assign one. These four teams are listed below and are part of these two new divisions: the US Anglo Division (US Anglo) and the US General Division (US Gen).
- U.S. Government Documents Section (US Anglo)
- U.S. Serials & Microforms Section (US Anglo)
- U.S. Serials -- Arts, Humanities & Sciences Section (US Gen)
- U.S. Serials -- Social Sciences Section (US Gen)
ISSN applications and questions should be sent to the ISSN Publisher Liaison Section. The Library looks forward to assisting you with ISSN requests.
Last Updated: July 12, 2010