bkdelong

I stumbled across Joe Clark's Web site a few years ago about getting an ISSN number for my weblog. So in Febuary 2004, I got one for this site: ISSN 1534-0163.

Last week, someone emiled and asked to use one of my son's pictures for a project of theirs promising proper citation. I figured I'd aid them in that respect and register www.wkdelong.org for an ISSN. I submitted the application and received the following letter in return:

Date: Mon, 11 Apr 2005 16:15:29 -0400
From: "Hong D Ta" <xxx@loc.gov>
To: <bkdelong@pobox.com>
Subject: ISSN application for: W.K. DeLong

Dear Mr. DeLong:

I am a librarian in the National Serials Data Program at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC. I am reviewing your ISSN application for "W.K. DeLong" and I regret to inform you that your application is not yet eligible for an ISSN at this time.

The International ISSN Centre in Paris, France and 77 national ISSN centers, including our office, around the world are still debating whether or not weblogs are considered "serials" in librarianship term and thus eligible for ISSN assignment. Since the decision has not been reached, we are not authorized to assign ISSN to weblogs.

I regret the inconvenience, and thank you for your interest in the International Standard Serial Number (ISSN) network.

Hong Ta
Hong Ta (Mr.)
National Serials Data Program
Serial Record Division
Library of Congress
Washington, DC 20540

Interesting. I can see where they're coming from. After all - filling out the application made me raise my eyebrows. They were looking for publication frequency, volume and issue number. While each post does have its unique identity, I'm wondering if it needs its own number like ISWN - International Standard Weblog Number or ISOJN - International Standard Online Journal Number.