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Topic: Book club ISBN not in database - how do I post it

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schnauzer-mom avatar
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Subject: Book club ISBN not in database - how do I post it
Date Posted: 11/3/2012 8:55 PM ET
Member Since: 2/24/2010
Posts: 8,073
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How do I post a book that is a Doubleday Book Club edition? It has an ISBN but this is not found in the database.  Other editions of the book are found in the database.  The answer may be obvious but I'm having a 'senior moment.'

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Date Posted: 11/3/2012 9:13 PM ET
Member Since: 5/15/2005
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First, I'd search for the ISBN you have, then wait a bit - 15 minutes to an hour maybe and see if it shows up in the data base. If that ISBN is listed on the external sites PBS checks, a search could trigger the listing. If not, you'll need to post it without an ISBN:

To post your book without an ISBN:

  • First, make sure to look over your book really well
    • Sometimes ISBN numbers can be found in unexpected places like the spine
    • The back of the book and in the publishing information in the front of the book are the most common places to find an ISBN.
  • If your book has no ISBN (or the ISBN you have doesn't work in the system):
    • Go to the Post Books page
      • From My Account: click the Post Books tab
      • From anywhere on the site: place your cursor over My Account on the toolbar at the top of the site and click Post Books in the menu that drops down.
      • From your Bookshelf, click the link "Post Books" at the top of the page, in the yellow bar.
    • On the Post Books page:
      • Click the "Post a Book without an ISBN" link at the top of the page, in the yellow bar.
      • Enter the information about the book in the form that comes up:
        • Mandatory information includes: title, author, book dimensions, Subject (genre), booktype
        • Optional information includes: Large Print, Homeschool, Publisher, # pages, Back cover Description (synopsis of the book content), Book Cover image.
        • Your Book Cover Image needs to be less than 5 MB in size, and in .jpg format.

When you are done, your book will be listed in the database with a customized listing that has a "short ISBN" or "PBS ISBN", which is the 5 or 6 digit number that PBS assigns in place of the ISBN to keep track of the book in the system.



Last Edited on: 11/3/12 9:14 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
fangrrl avatar
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Date Posted: 11/3/2012 9:32 PM ET
Member Since: 12/28/2006
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Try searching several times over 24 or even 48 hours to see if you can pull the number into the PBS database. 

Double check to make sure you are actually entering the correct ISBN.  Many bookclub editions seem to have an additional number on the back of the dust jacket, do not mistake this for the ISBN. 

Otherwise, you will need to post with a short/PBS ISBN.



Last Edited on: 11/3/12 9:32 PM ET - Total times edited: 1
EmilyKat avatar
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Date Posted: 11/4/2012 1:54 AM ET
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Make sure you search without any spaces or dashes.
melanied avatar
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Date Posted: 11/4/2012 1:55 AM ET
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You do not need to post a book with an ISBN as a book without and ISBN, you can add it to the database by its ISBN. Instead of searching for the ISBN, go to the Post Books page and enter the ISBN. When the ISBN isn't recognized, as long as you have entered a valid ISBN, a screen should open for you to enter the information for that ISBN to add it to the database.

schnauzer-mom avatar
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Date Posted: 11/4/2012 8:28 AM ET
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Thanks, everyone!   Melanie I followed your instructions and was able to post the book. Thanks!