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FAQs: Data Licensing
return to list of data licensing FAQ topics General Questions
How many records are in the U.S. Books In Print database?
More than 7 million records (includes in-print, forthcoming and out-of-print titles) How many records are in the Global Books In Print database?
Almost 18 million (includes U.S., Canada, U.K., Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and Spanish titles) How many new titles are added each month?
Approximately 28,000 new titles are added to the database each month. Why should I license Books In Print from Bowker?
Bowker is the official ISBN Agency for the United States. The Agency captures information on over 11,000 new publishers per year (over 300,000 in total) and their titles are included in Books In Print. Books In Print is the most comprehensive database of book information available, containing at least 1 million more titles than our closest competitor. What about pre-publication information?
Information for forthcoming titles is included up to six months prior to official publication. In what format is the data provided?
The database is delivered in an ASCII-delimited file format or ONIX (190+ fields) that is easily imported into virtually any database management program. The data is can also be delivered via Bowker’s Web Services. Web Services are self-contained, self describing, modular applications that can be published, located and implemented across the internet. For more information on Web Services please go to www.bowker.com/WebServices.htm. Do you need to purchase the complete file or can I get a “slice” of the data?
We offer an ASCII format delivery called the "MEGA file". There are mandatory fields you must select because of mapping reasons to other data sets requirements but all-in-all, you can choose from over 148 fields for your business needs. In addition, specific statuses can be sliced by (active or out of print records, children's titles, college textbooks etc). Are images available with the database?
Yes. Bowker has contracted with several publishers to provide assorted cover images to raw data customers. There are currently more than 2MM+ cover images that can be included with the database. As new cover images become available, updates are sent to our customers on a monthly basis. Are book reviews available with the database?
Book reviews are not part of the raw data itself. Full Text Reviews (Publishers Weekly, Library Journal, School Library Journal) are available but negotiated separately in the license agreement. Similar data you can receive are: - “Review Citations” - lists review source and date
- “Best Sellers Notations” - lists source and book appeared from bestsellers. i.e. PW, NY Times, etc. ...
- “Recommended” Flags - lists PW, LJ, SLJ -- Children’s School will have starred review.
What type of information will I get in the Books In Print database?
Data elements in the Books In Print database include, but are not limited to, multiple subject classifications (including BISAC, Bowker, and BIC subject codes), ISBN, author, title, dimensions, price, distributor, publisher, annotations, series title, award winner and nominee information, author biographies, cover images, and much more ... (Complete documentation available) How is the data delivered and how frequent are the updates?
The file(s) can be delivered either by ZIP FILE VIA E-MAIL, FTP, or DVD/CD-ROM. Updates are made available on an annual, semi-annual and quarterly basis at no extra charge. Monthly, weekly and daily updates have applicable surcharges and customers are notified by e-mail when new updates are available. Updates are comprised of three separate files, one each for adds, changes, and deletes, so you don’t need to reload the entire database. How can I report corrections?
A corrections form is readily available on our website at http://www.isbn.org/corrections/home/index.asp. You may also contact Bowker Customer Support to report corrections, or your Account Manager. All corrections are researched as quickly as possible. Once the data has been corrected, the changes will be reflected in the following weekly update files. Can I get sample data?
A brief questionnaire and sample data test release form will be sent to you by the Data Sales Manager. Upon receipt of the test release form, a small sample file with full file documentation will be sent to you by email. What is the licensing cost for Books In Print?
Licensing costs for the database are based on field format selection, how the data will be used, and site licensing. After receiving your completed questionnaire, your Data Sales Manager will be able to provide you with comprehensive pricing information. What other databases are available from Bowker?
In addition to Books In Print, the following databases are also available from Bowker in raw data form. Contact your Data Sales Manager if you would like more information on any of these databases. - Books Out of Print®
- Global Books In Print®
- AMG® (All Music Guide) Music, Movies and Video Games
- Publisher's Weekly®
- Table of Contents
- 1st Chapters®
- Fiction Profile™
- Non-Fiction Profile™
- Bowker's Complete Video Directory™ (includes movies on DVD)
- College Textbooks
- Children's Books In Print™
- El-Hi™ (Elementary and High School materials)
- Spanish Titles™
- Books Out Loud™
- PubTrack Higher Education™ (demand, adoptions, and sales data)
- PubTrack Consumer™
- PubTrack General Trade™ (coming in Winter 2008)
How can I get more information?
For more information about Bowker Site Licensing options, contact ... Peter Ashekian
Manager of Data Sales
Toll free: 1-888-269-5372, ext 0066
Direct: 1-908-219-0066
E-mail: peter.ashekian@bowker.com
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