Which number identifies books and other media worldwide?

The International Standard Book Number (ISBN) is the number that identifies books and other media worldwide. Each ISBN is unique to a specific edition of a book or publication, allowing for efficient cataloging and retrieval in libraries, bookstores, and databases around the world. This identifier is crucial for publishers, retailers, and librarians, as it helps to avoid confusion between works with similar titles or multiple editions.

The ISBN system was established in the 1970s and has become the standard for book identification, facilitating international trade and distribution. Its structure typically includes a prefix, the publisher identifier, the title identifier, and a check digit, making it an effective tool for managing inventories and sourcing materials.

Other options like the ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) specifically pertains to periodicals and serial publications, while the Cataloging in Publication (CIP) number is associated with bibliographic data provided by the Library of Congress. The SBN, an older identifier, has largely been replaced by the ISBN system. Thus, the ISBN stands out as the definitive global identifier for books and other media.