Goodreads Librarians Group discussion

I deal mainly with portuguese editions. Since a few weeks ago, I noticed amazon bots are importing new books with their ISBNs (together with ASIN number), but cataloguing them as Kindle editions. The problem is that, with this procedure and because of GR policy on ISBN deleting, when amazon bots do it, we can no longer import the book in paperback edition, unless we leave ISBN field blank, which is nonsensical.

What would be the best way to proceed?
1 – Change the “format” field to paperback and stick with the rest (including ASIN number).
2 – Create an ACE in order do “move” the ISBN to the new record, preserving the kindle edition created by amazon?
3 – Any other idea?

I see this phenomenon more and more, I believe that it is becoming quite impossible to correctly import new records, amazon bots are quicker.

Thanks in advance (a librarian appalled at what the amazon bots are doing…)

You would have to write into support requesting they remove the paperback ISBNs from the Kindle record so you can create the paperback edition.

That's what I've been doing when I run across these since there's no way to move the ISBNs yourself as I believe using the ACE button moves everything (ISBN and ASIN).

Changing the format I believe wouldn't be appropriate as usually the ASIN that's on the record is for the Kindle edition so the format is correct in that regard.

Thank you Melanie for your insight.

That will be a cyclopean task, as virtually any newly edited book in Portuguese, at least by the main publishers, is being imported by amazon bots like that, before librarians can intervene.

Joao wrote: "Thank you Melanie for your insight.

That will be a cyclopean task, as virtually any newly edited book in Portuguese, at least by the main publishers, is being imported by amazon bots like that, be..."

Hi Joao

You may find this thread informative. :)

https://www.goodreads.com/topic/show/...

Re: the link by Carol above …

See especially post #157 by Jaclyn where they know about the bot using both the ASIN and ISBNs for a Kindle edition. Although she doesn’t say so there, I would start posting instances of this happening in that thread. I believe it is watched by additional staff.

Carol She's So Novel꧁꧂ wrote: "Joao wrote: "Thank you Melanie for your insight.

That will be a cyclopean task, as virtually any newly edited book in Portuguese, at least by the main publishers, is being imported by amazon bots ..."

Thank you Carol, I believe I will do it.

This is a nightmare. In portuguese groups, were non-librarian ask for the import of new books, physical books, most of the time I can not fulfill what is being asked, because all those ISBNs are already taken by Kindle edition imports made by amazon bots.

That's ok it was Elizabeth who made the suggestion though. :)

When I find Kindle editions with ASIN + ISBN from the paperback, I just add an entry for the paperback without the ISBN and ask support to move the numbers to the newly-created entry. Otherwise I tend to forget about them since they are so many!

There's also the case of Kindle ASINs being added to existing paperback editions, so whenever I'm adding a physical book from Amazon I copy the ISBN-10 to the ASIN field as well, so the bots cannot spoil the entry.

(Digressing here but since you mentioned you work with Portuguese books, I think you may find this "author" profile interesting: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...)

Elizabeth (Alaska) wrote: "Re: the link by Carol above …

See especially post #157 by Jaclyn where they know about the bot using both the ASIN and ISBNs for a Kindle edition. Although she doesn’t say so there, I would start ..."

Thank you Elizabeth for the suggestion, I will do it, as I see you are also doing it. I hope you are right and GR staff starts doing something about it.

Hello Javier, thank you for the suggestions.

When I find Kindle editions with ASIN + ISBN from the paperback, I just add an entry for the paperback without the ISBN and ask support to move the numbers to the newly-created entry. Otherwise I tend to forget about them since they are so many

Perhaps it is a good idea doing the way you do, creating the paperback without the ISBN and ask support to move the numbers to the newly-created entry. My question is: how do you contact the staff and ask them that? Do you flag the Kindle editions with ASIN + ISBN and write that in the explanation field? Are GR staff really moving the ISBN to those paperback entries you created?

There's also the case of Kindle ASINs being added to existing paperback editions, so whenever I'm adding a physical book from Amazon I copy the ISBN-10 to the ASIN field as well, so the bots cannot spoil the entry.

I started doing like that, as it looks like the only way we have to preserve the integrity of the entry.

(Digressing here but since you mentioned you work with Portuguese books, I think you may find this "author" profile interesting: https://www.goodreads.com/author/list...)

this is so discouraging...

Joao wrote: "My question is: how do you contact the staff and ask them that? Do you flag the Kindle editions with ASIN + ISBN and write that in the explanation field? Are GR staff really moving the ISBN to those paperback entries you created?"

I use the Contact Us form. I just send the links and ask them to move the ISBN(s) from the Kindle to the paperback edition. They usually do their part within a day, I've never sent more than 20/25 books per message though