The bar code printed on the back of the book is an essential tool enabling retailers to scan the ISBN into their point of sale systems when the book is sold. It may also be used in other supply chain functions. All books which are being sold through retail channels should therefore carry a bar code; and most retailers will refuse to stock titles unless they do.

The most reliable way to obtain a bar code is to give the relevant ISBN to a specialist supplier who will produce the code either as a data file or on film (according to the requirements of the printer). Recommended suppliers can be found on page 8 of our Barcoding for Books manual (see below).

Barcoding for Books – Fully updated 2008, revised May 2019 

Binders Pack Bar Code Label Standard

Library RFID: UK Profile for ISO 28560-2

March 2010

UK Profile for ISO 28560-2

Other documentation on library RFID.