In answer to Bruce's question below: YES
http://www.collectionscanada.ca/iso/tc46sc9/wg3.htm
The International Standard Text Code (ISTC) will be a voluntary numbering
system for the identification of textual works. An ISTC will be a unique,
internationally recognized and permanent identifier for each textual work
to which it is assigned. It will uniquely distinguish one textual work
from another across national boundaries and language barriers, regardless
of the various editions and/or formats in which a textual work is
published.
However, I don't think any of us should base any practical systems round
the hope that it will be widely used in the near future.
Caroline Arms [log in to unmask]
Office of Strategic Initiatives
Librry of Congress
On Tue, 30 Nov 2004, Bruce D'Arcus wrote:
> On Nov 30, 2004, at 10:59 AM, Karen Coyle wrote:
>
> > The LCCN identifies the machine-readable record created by the Library
> > of Congress. Again, not a work identifier.
>
> I know of the OCLC's isbn resolver server which builds on the FRBR
> concept of work, but is there any effort in the library world to take
> the next step and create a work identifier?
>
> Bruce
>
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