Reproducing items from the collections
You can purchase copies of many items from the National Library and Alexander Turnbull Library’s collections to include in your publication. Some conditions and restrictions may apply.
More about making copies of collection items
ISBN (International Standard Book Numbers)
If you are publishing a book, or other print, electronic or multimedia publication, you may include an International Standard Book Number (ISBN), the worldwide identification code for books and other published materials. ISBN allows publishers, book suppliers and libraries to easily find and order titles.
The New Zealand Standard Book Numbering Agency, operating within the Library, provides numbers free of charge to New Zealand publishers.
ISSN (International Standard Serial Numbers)
If you are publishing a magazine, newsletter, or other serial, you may include an International Standard Serial Number (ISSN), the worldwide identification code for serial publications. ISSN are available for all serials published in New Zealand, and are provided free of charge by the New Zealand ISSN Centre, operating within the National Library.
ISMN (International Standard Music Numbers)
If you are publishing printed music (such as a score or a part), you may include an International Standard Music Number (ISMN), the worldwide identification code for printed music publications. The National ISMN Agency of New Zealand, operating within the National Library, provides numbers free of charge to New Zealand publishers.
Cataloguing-in-Publication (CiP) programme
The CiP programme catalogues your publication before it is published, based on information you provide. We will inform libraries about your forthcoming publication by putting the catalogue record onto our national database and the New Zealand National Bibliography. Many libraries use these when deciding which books they want to purchase. The aim is to increase pre-publication orders for your book.
Get a barcode
We do not issue barcodes. Barcodes are issued by GS1 New Zealand - the local affiliate of GS1, a non-profit organisation that provides a common language for international trade and commerce. For more information about barcodes, visit the GS1 website.
Legal Deposit
There is a statutory requirement for every individual and organisation that produces publications to provide copies to the National Library.
New Zealand National Bibliography (NZNB)
We add new publications to the New Zealand National Bibliography (NZNB). The NZNB alerts libraries and booksellers in New Zealand and overseas of your publication. Your publication will automatically be added once it is supplied via the CiP programme, or under Legal Deposit.
Help with promotion
For advice on promoting your publication, visit these websites:
Book Publishers Association of New Zealand
Magazine Publishers Association New Zealand
New Zealand Authors' Fund
New Zealand authors can apply for funding to compensate for the loss of royalty income on book sales, as a result of their books being held in New Zealand libraries. More information is available on the Creative New Zealand website.
