What to do when there is no ISBN?

[Summer]

I'm sorry if this is covered elsewhere; I couldn't find it.

I added an edition of a book I own that was distributed by Weekly Reader. There is no ISBN in the book and no ISBN listed on loc.gov.
Should I reference the LOC card catalog number as the ISBN or leave as is?

Also, in this case, the main difference between the two editions is the illustration. Should the illustrators be listed anywhere? (I have listed it under description.)

http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/23...

[Lisa]

I've manually entered many books without an ISBN; they're pre ISBN. Not adding an ISBN when entering a book does not cause any problems at Goodreads or on your shelves. So, go ahead and add it.

[Summer]

Thanks for the prompt reply! I didn't know that about ISBNs and I'm just nervous about making mistakes.

[rivka, Former Librarian Moderator]

You might want to list the LOC number in the description. (You can't in the ISBN field -- it won't follow ISBN rules, and I think the GoodReads software objects to that.)

[Lisa]

Yes, I put as much info as I can in the description field if no ISBN. Such as old Library of Congress Catalog numbers, etc. Whatever helps to identify a book.

[Otis]

Good questions! We're going to add the answers to some of these on the add/edit page for books.

[Shriya]

http://www.goodreads.com/book/edit/15...

Can anyone look for this book's ISBN?

[Sandra]

Shriya, you shouldn't use the edit page, much harder to help you.

Always use the book page http://www.goodreads.com/book/show/15...

Any idea of when it was published?

WorldCat has a publisher of J.J. Collins in 1909. Which is translation of Edward FitzGerald's irish into english. Is this it?

[rivka, Former Librarian Moderator]

Also, please start a new thread, rather than bumping one only slightly related, and from 5 years ago.