The Bibliothèque Nationale de France and the Extension of ISSN to Digital Reproductions

Almost twelve years after digital reproductions of serial publications were brought within the scope of the ISSN, this article discusses the challenges faced by the French ISSN Centre in implementing this decision within the institution that hosts it (the Bibliothèque nationale de France). In particular, it details the process used to assign an ISSN to digitised French periodicals, starting with those available in Gallica. The ISSN, however, makes it possible to aggregate all digitised versions of a single periodical, regardless of their origin. The article also highlights the opportunities for cooperation between national centres made possible by the extension of the ISSN to digital reproductions.