BS ISO 15511:2019

What is ISO 15511- International Standard Identifier about?  

ISO 15511 specifies the International Standard Identifier for Libraries and Related Organizations (ISIL), which comprises a set of standard identifiers used for the unique identification of libraries and related organizations such as museums and archives, with a minimum impact on already existing systems.  

ISO 15511 can be used to identify the originator or holder of a resource. The ISIL is intended for use by libraries and related organizations such as museums, archives, and agencies doing business or interacting with these organizations. An ISIL identifies an organization or one of its subordinate units throughout its life. In some cases, such as when an organization has undergone a significant administrative change, particularly one that results in a name change, a new ISIL can be allocated.  

Because ISO 15511 allows the use of existing codes to be incorporated into the ISIL, it is possible that a given organization can have more than one ISIL. However, it is the intention of this document to minimize the number of codes. 

Who is ISO 15511- International Standard Identifier for? 

ISO 15511 on Information and documentation is useful for: 

• Libraries 
• Museum 
• Business 

Why should you use ISO 15511- International Standard Identifier?  

ISO 15511 provides communication and resource sharing among libraries and related organizations, including archives, museums, government agencies, educational institutions and businesses, have dramatically increased. 

ISO 15511 specifies the formats for you information exchange within the library, archival or museum communities, millions of bibliographic records are now available to users all over the world. They can be accessed through the internet, in virtual union catalogues, virtual archives and museums and through other cooperative information systems, or linked to, in whole or in part, through secondary internet services. A standardized identifier for the originating or holding source will effectively facilitate access to this information. Organizational identifiers are widely used in many countries. ISO 15511 utilizes a flexible structure that can accommodate existing identifiers and can be used to create new identifiers. This common framework enables organizations in the same sector and organizations in parallel sectors to collaborate. 

What’s changed since the last update?  

BS ISO 15511:2019 supersedes BS ISO 15511:2011. BS ISO 15511:2019  includes some technical changes with respect to BS ISO 15511:2011. These include: 

• The contact information for the Registration Authority has been updated. 

• The case sensitivity in ISIL codes has been clarified. 
• The usage of characters in ISIL codes has been made clearer. 
• The URI of the ISO 3166 country codes has been updated. The new link is to the ISO Online browsing platform. 
• The terms and definitions have been aligned with ISO 5127:2017 when applicable, and the term organization and its definition has been added