Expanding horizons

Gaelle Bequet reflects on the ISSN International Centre's decade of innovation and global reach

Since 2014, the ISSN International Centre has experienced remarkable growth and adaptation, driven by its mission to support the identification and preservation of serial publications. This article explores the Centre's journey over the past decade, highlighting the key initiatives, technological advances and partnerships that have defined its development. By adapting to a rapidly changing digital landscape, the Centre has continued to expand its influence and reach.

Established as the global organisation responsible for assigning International Standard Serial Numbers (ISSNs), the ISSN International Centre plays a critical role in managing and coordinating a global network of 95 ISSN National Centres. With responsibilities ranging from assigning ISSNs to building partnerships and maintaining international standards, the Centre ensures that serial publications such as journals, newspapers, websites, blogs and other ongoing resources are easily identifiable worldwide.

Strategic Plans and Network Growth (2014-2019)

Beginning with the 2015-2018 Strategic Plan, the ISSN International Centre sought to improve its global operations and expand the reach of its network. This plan set out four main objectives: to strengthen the existing network, improve data products and services, develop new partnerships and promote open access to ISSN data.

As part of its ongoing efforts to promote inclusivity and accessibility, the ISSN International Centre undertook a major overhaul of its institutional website (https://www.issn.org) to improve both functionality and user experience. This redesign included the translation of the website interface and key resources into the six official languages of the United Nations: Arabic, Chinese, English, French, Russian and Spanish. By providing multilingual support, the ISSN IC ensures that information professionals, librarians and researchers from diverse linguistic backgrounds can access critical information about ISSN services and participate fully in the global network. In addition to broadening access to ISSN resources, this initiative is consistent with the Centre's commitment to promoting diversity and equitable access to bibliographic tools and data worldwide. The multilingual approach also strengthens the ISSN network's engagement with member countries, allowing for smoother communication and collaboration across different regions.

A major achievement of this era was the launch of the new ISSN portal (https://portal.issn.org) in 2018. Prior to the launch of the portal, access to ISSN data was limited to fee-paying subscribers. By making a subset of ISSN metadata freely available, it provides a valuable resource for librarians, researchers and publishers around the world. The portal attracted around 6,000 unique visitors per day in its first year, demonstrating the importance of open access to serials data. It became a one-stop-shop for anyone needing to identify serials and ensure proper citation or digital archiving. In addition to accessibility, the portal introduced a number of new features, such as advanced search capabilities and improved user interfaces, which have been well received by our users. For example, the improved data retrieval options have enabled National Centres to streamline their workflows, resulting in faster and more accurate ISSN assignments.

During the 2015-2018 strategic plan period, the Centre pursued collaborations with organisations such as ProQuest and the Internet Archive, focusing on metadata quality and preservation. These partnerships enabled the improvement of ISSN records, particularly those for open access publications. In 2019, the Centre integrated the Keepers Registry - a service that aggregates preservation data for digital serials - into the ISSN Portal. The Keepers Registry is a valuable tool for tracking which titles are preserved, allowing users to verify the long-term availability of serial resources. The addition of the Keepers Registry was a significant milestone as it aligns the Centre's work with global preservation standards and helps libraries coordinate digital preservation efforts.

The 2020-2024 strategy: embracing innovation and technology

One of the ISSN International Centre's key initiatives in the current strategic plan was the creation of ISSN+, a new metadata production tool, which was launched in 2020. This platform replaced the ageing Virtua system and offered new features such as automated error checking and improved data management. The new system allowed National Centres to access dashboards that highlighted potential metadata issues, facilitating higher quality data and more efficient processes. 

The ISSN International Centre has significantly improved the quality and breadth of its data through systematic enrichment efforts using external databases such as CrossRef, the Directory of Open Access Journals (DOAJ) and Scopus. By integrating data from these respected sources, the ISSN Portal not only improves the accuracy of ISSN records, but also provides users with a richer and more comprehensive metadata experience. For example, DOAJ integration ensures comprehensive coverage of OA titles by emphasising quality publications, and Scopus contributes valuable indexing information for scholarly publications. This data enrichment strategy underscores the ISSN IC's commitment to supporting the serials community with robust, interconnected, high-quality metadata and reinforces its role as a central hub for global bibliographic information.

To further improve data quality, the Centre has partnered with organisations such as Latindex and DOAJ. These collaborations focus on cleaning and updating records to improve accuracy. In one such project, Latindex worked with the ISSN Centre to update records for Latin American titles, ensuring greater visibility and accuracy for titles from that region. Such initiatives not only strengthen the Centre's data, but also enhance its reputation as a reliable source of serial metadata.

From 2020 to 2021, the ISSN International Centre added three new National Centres in Ukraine, Austria and Peru, bringing the total number of member countries to 93. This growth reflects the Centre's commitment to extending its reach and making ISSN services available in new regions. Each new centre undergoes extensive training and data quality checks to ensure that it meets the standards expected of National Centres.

In 2023, the ISSN International Centre undertook an ambitious project to overhaul the outdated technical infrastructure of the ISSN Portal. Recognising the importance of data security, the Centre also implemented measures to replicate ISSN data across multiple continents. This ensures the availability and integrity of records even during unforeseen events such as geopolitical tensions or extreme weather. The ISSN Centre also established relationships with trusted data partners for secure extraction and backup, demonstrating a proactive approach to data management. By investing in robust security protocols and backup systems, the Centre has cemented its position as a trusted repository for serial data.

Collaborative projects and strategic partnerships

The integration of the Keepers Registry (https://keepers.issn.org) into the ISSN Portal in 2019 was a turning point in the Centre's commitment to digital preservation. The Keepers Registry tracks which digital serials are archived and to what extent, providing invaluable data for libraries and researchers. By 2023, the registry will include information from 19 different archiving institutions, providing a good overview of the global digital preservation landscape. The service is particularly useful for academic institutions that rely on long-term access to digital resources. The Keepers Registry allows them to make informed decisions about which resources to prioritise for preservation based on existing coverage. In addition, this initiative helps to identify gaps in archiving efforts, highlighting areas where further preservation action is needed.

In partnership with the NISO Transfer Working Group, the ISSN International Centre has developed the Transfer Alerting Service (TAS, https://journaltransfer.issn.org). Launched in 2018, TAS tracks the transfer of ownership of serial publications, helping to maintain accurate records when titles change hands. This service is vital for librarians and researchers who need to track the history of serial publications and ensure continued access. For example, when a prominent academic journal changes publisher, TAS notifies subscribers so they can update their records accordingly.

As the Registration Authority for the ISSN standard, the Centre has consistently contributed to the development of international standards. This has included leading the revision of ISO 3297, which provides the framework for the ISSN system. The Centre has also worked with organisations such as IFLA to align ISSN practices with broader bibliographic standards. Through these efforts, the ISSN International Centre has positioned itself as a key player in the field of serials standards, ensuring that its practices remain relevant and globally recognised.

The ISSN International Centre's collaboration with Springer Nature exemplifies its commitment to improving metadata quality and ensuring comprehensive identification of serial publications. Through a semi-automated workflow established with Springer Nature, the ISSN IC is streamlining the ISSN assignment process for new serial titles and monograph series. This collaboration has resulted in the efficient handling of ISSNs for Springer Nature publications, particularly by automating the initial stages of metadata capture and verification. Through this partnership, Springer Nature submits metadata directly to the ISSN IC, which then processes and assigns provisional ISSNs before finalising the records. This collaboration not only facilitates accurate tracking of Springer Nature's growing portfolio, but also ensures that these serial publications are readily accessible to libraries, researchers and information professionals worldwide. This initiative reflects the Centre's wider strategy of partnering with leading publishers to improve data accuracy and interoperability across global bibliographic networks.

Conclusion

Looking ahead to 2029, the ISSN International Centre's strategic vision emphasises a robust, inclusive and globally connected network that serves as the authoritative resource for serial publications. By that time, the Centre aims to include some 100 National Centres, underlining its commitment to global coverage and collaboration. The ISSN database will remain the leading resource for both print and digital serials, enriched by partnerships with emerging identifier systems to enhance interoperability and streamline information management. With the expansion of the Keepers Registry, the ISSN IC will continue to advocate for the preservation of serial publications on a global scale, reflecting a deep commitment to preserving the scholarly and cultural record for future generations. This vision also underscores the ISSN IC's commitment to technological advancements, such as the integration of artificial intelligence and strengthening links with other international standards, in order to provide responsive and innovative services to libraries, publishers and information professionals worldwide. Through these efforts, the ISSN International Centre aims to maintain its status as the premier global identifier system, embodying its values of inclusivity, sustainability and excellence in information management.

Gaelle Bequet is Director of the ISSN International Centre