The European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF) plays an active role in shaping the future of international book standards through its Ex-officio seat on the Board of the International ISBN Agency (IIA). This seat is currently filled by EIBF member, Nina Stavisky (Director of the French Booksellers Association, ALIRE), who recently travelled to São Paulo, Brazil, to attend the Agency’s Annual General Meeting. In this blog post, she shares her experience and highlights why the work of the IIA matters to booksellers worldwide.
Last week, I represented the European and International Booksellers Federation (EIBF), of which I am a board member, at the General Assembly of the International ISBN Agency (IIA). I had the honor to be appointed to the Agency's Board of Directors in 2023 to represent booksellers.
But what is the IIA? And why cross the Atlantic for this event?
The IIA is the umbrella organisation for all national ISBN agencies. That doesn't tell us much. Let's take a step back. National ISBN agencies are the organisations that, in many countries, allocate ISBNs or ISBN ranges to publishers. The ISBN is an international standard for identifying books. Last week in São Paulo, people from all over the world who enable books to enter the supply chain by assigning them a unique number gathered together.
The issue of standards is crucial, affecting not only our profession, but also anyone who wants to support cultural diversity and the vitality of books. International standards such as the ISBN and data interoperability are essential for:
- ensuring the visibility of books in a globalised digital ecosystem.
- ensuring that books and printed material circulate effectively within and beyond the borders of the country of publication,
- They also strengthen the role of booksellers in the book chain, thus ensuring their economic sustainability.
This issue transcends national borders: supporting and promoting these standards actively contributes to the future role of books and booksellers. This is why the EIBF has an ex officio seat on the Agency's Board of Directors.
Furthermore, it is essential that we make our voice heard within these organisations, whose decisions may seem distant to us, but which are likely to have a significant impact.
Image: Nina Stavisky presenting EIBF at the International ISBN Agency AGM
In São Paulo, I met with representatives from agencies around the world and reiterated the indispensable role of booksellers in the book industry. I also made contact with several booksellers' associations via national agencies that would like the EIBF's advice to support their development. Thanks to our involvement with this organisation, dozens of booksellers around the world will now be able to access support, and several associations will benefit from the tools offered by the EIBF.
Crossing the Atlantic was definitely worthwhile.