International Standard Name Identifier facts for kids
The International Standard Name Identifier (ISNI) is a special 16-digit number. It helps to uniquely identify people who have created things like books, songs, movies, or TV shows. Think of it like a special ID card number just for creators! This number makes sure that everyone knows exactly who made what, especially when many people have the same name.
The ISNI Agency is in charge of this system. They keep a huge database of all these numbers. This agency is part of a bigger group called the International Organization for Standardization, which creates many important standards for the world.
What is ISNI?
The ISNI is a unique number given to authors, artists, musicians, and anyone else who contributes to creative works. It has 16 digits, which means it can identify millions of different people. This helps to tell apart people with similar names, like two different authors named "John Smith."
Why Do We Need ISNI?
Imagine you're looking for a book by an author named "Sarah Johnson." There might be many authors with that name! The ISNI helps libraries, bookstores, and music services know exactly which Sarah Johnson wrote which book or song. This makes it much easier to find the right person and their work.
- It helps libraries organize their collections.
- It makes sure artists get credit for their work.
- It helps people find all the works by a specific creator.
How ISNI Works
The ISNI Agency manages a massive database. This database holds records for over 9.8 million different creators! The project to create this system started in 2011. When a new book, song, or movie comes out, the creators can be assigned an ISNI. This number then links all their different works together in one place.
For example, if a writer also writes songs, their single ISNI can connect both their books and their music. This helps everyone, from fans to publishers, keep track of a creator's full range of work.
