The Book Industry Study Group (BISG) has come to a very conclusive decision that something’s got to be done about growing the book printing industry. As the readers grow and adopt different approaches to reading and the thirst for information reaches a feverish level, BISG needs a brand new set of standards. The organization needs to be quicker in launching into action, notes a representative, because they no longer have the luxury of debating things for a prolonged period of time before reaching a conclusion.

If there’s one thing different for the book industry today compared to what it was before, it is ISBN. Previously, the ISBN was there for the purpose of identifying the book and making checking out easier. But now, the ISBN code is being used for purposes it was not initially intended for. With the rising popularity of QR Codes, the future of the ISBN code seems uncertain. Soon, we reckon that the book printing industry will adopt the QR Code system when printing books because readers are now not only thirsty for information but are mostly impatient about getting it.

BISG noted the advantage of using QR Codes in books because readers can now scan the code with their cell phones and be lead to a mobile web site where readers can read more about the book, load videos, download pictures AND purchase the book via a mobile website.

Harper Collins, more notably, placed a QR Code on one of their new releases, L.A. Candy, and when browsing through the bookstore or standing in front of a poster promoting the book, readers can share, read or buy it instantly on their cell phones. An encouraging number of six thousand people used the code and slightly more than ten percent of them who made use of the QR Code bought the book.

People in their twenties see online content and videos as an integral part of the purchasing process. The cell phone, to them, is more than just a device designed for communication….it’s a library, a map, a media player, camera, radio, etc. Encouraged with the success of L.A. Candy, Harper Collins will be printing a QR Code on Superfreakonomics as well and soon integrated into the Amanda Project too.

Apparently, a partnership was struck up with Google that allows the company’s products to be viewed and bought online through Google Editions.