BookNet’s systems have been updated with the new codes.
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY renamed to LANGUAGE STUDY.
BISG Subject Codes Committee have added a code for Nonbinary & Genderqueer under Young Adult, Juvenile Fiction, and Juvenile Non-Fiction subject trees.
Thanks to Blake Sproule and the team at Playwrights Canada Press, who drove the proposal list to the BISAC committee for subject additions under DRAMA subject tree.
New 2024 BISAC Merchandising Themes are also available, here.
The updated BISAC subject list is available for purchase and download from BISG (free for their members), but can also be accessed online by anyone for free.
New to BISAC? Here’s a quick rundown
BISAC subject codes are updated each year in response to changing usage in the industry and requests submitted to the BISAC Subject Codes Committee.
Best practice is to use the most current version of the BISAC subject list to classify both frontlist and backlist titles. If you’re a publisher, it’s typically a good idea to check with retailers before sending out changes, to ensure that their systems are up-to-date and can accept the new codes.
BISAC Subject Codes (or BISAC Subject Headings) are intended to describe the content of a book and they were developed for publishers to communicate with retailers and the general book trade, the store section in which a title best fits, and will sell best.
They’re also helpful in organizing internal databases and public websites, such as those offered by online retailers.
BISAC codes are intended to tell supply chain participants what the book is generally about or that it is most likely to sell when grouped together with other comparable books.
BISAC changes can come in a few different forms. Sometimes the ‘Literal’ or descriptive text of a subject heading changes while the code remains the same. In other cases, codes are made inactive or new codes are added.
Update your systems
Data suppliers and aggregators are encouraged to update their systems to the latest version of BISAC as soon as it is released. Why, you ask? Problems can occur when trading partners are using different versions of the subject headings. As the BISAC FAQ attests:
We strongly encourage all trading partners to update to the most current version of the headings. If you are using ONIX for Books to send BISAC Subject Headings, a data element within the protocol will allow you to advise your trading partner of the version of the list you are using. The options for differences between lists lie with the receiver in a trading partner relationship. If receivers are using an older version, then they must either update their database or ignore new headings with which they are not familiar. If receivers are using a newer version, then they have the option of discarding or accepting any inactivated headings that are transmitted to them.
All BookNet products & services have been updated with the 2024 list of codes
You can send and receive records and files in BiblioShare containing codes from the 2024 list.
Once again, updates have been completed in record time by BookNet’s staff team and our kudos goes to all of our colleagues who made it happen. Thank you, Team BookNet!
New codes & changes to the ‘Literal’ or descriptive text for select headings
The BISG Subject Codes Committee has added a code for Nonbinary & Genderqueer under the following subject trees. This work is thanks to an initial request by Jamie Ferrin and endorsed by the Canadian National Bibliographic Committee.
COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / LGBTQ+ /
FICTION / Erotica / LGBTQ+ /
FICTION / LGBTQ+ /
FICTION / Romance / LGBTQ+ /
SOCIAL SCIENCE / LGBTQ+ Studies /
YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ /
YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / LGBTQ+ / tree newly created
JUVENILE FICTION / LGBTQ+ / tree newly created
JUVENILE NON FICTION / LGBTQ+ / tree newly created
Fiction
The Fiction section is a showcase for the Working Group’s thoughtful consideration and advocacy. What follows is a highlight of the new and changed codes:
FICTION / Science Fiction / Androids, Robots & Artificial IntelligencesFiction The Fiction section is a showcase for the Working Group’s thoughtful consideration and advocacy. What follows is a highlight of the new and changed codes:
Please note that the changes presented here are highlights resulting from our Working Group’s advocacy. Please refer to Differences Between the 2023 and 2024 Editions for a complete list of new codes, changes, and deletions across all major headings.
Young Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction
Young Adult Fiction and Non-Fiction code changes and additions follow, with the branching of LGBTQ+, which allowed the addition of Nonbinary & Genderqueer, Two-Spirited & Indigiqueer, Consent & Boundaries.
Code
2023 Literal
Update
2024 Literal
YAF031060
addition
YOUNG ADULT FICTION / LGBTQ+ / Nonbinary & Genderqueer
YAF052090
addition
YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Romance / Fantasy
YAN032010
addition
YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / LGBTQ+ / Bisexual
YAN032020
addition
YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / LGBTQ+ / Gay
YAN032030
addition
YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / LGBTQ+ / Lesbian
YAN032040
addition
YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / LGBTQ+ / Nonbinary & Genderqueer
YAN032050
addition
YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / LGBTQ+ / Transgender
YAN032060
addition
YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / LGBTQ+ / Two-Spirited & Indigiqueer
YAN051290
addition
YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Social Topics / Consent & Boundaries
YAN051090
YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Social Topics / Emigration & Immigration
change
YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Social Topics / Emigration, Immigration & Refugees
Juvenile Fiction
New additions in the Juvenile Fiction section is a result of the Working Group’s thoughtful consideration and advocacy to include Nonbinary & Genderqueer, Two-Spirited & Indigiqueer codes. What follows is a highlight of the new and changed codes:
Code
2023 Literal
Update
2024 Literal
JUV039150
JUVENILE FICTION / Disabilities
change
JUVENILE FICTION / Disability
JUV037000
JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy & Magic
change
JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy / General
JUV037010
addition
JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy / Contemporary
JUV037030
addition
JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy / Historical
JUV037040
addition
JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy / Magic
JUV066000
JUVENILE FICTION / Mermaids & Mermen
change
JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy / Mermaids & Mermen
JUV037050
addition
JUVENILE FICTION / Fantasy / Portals & Alternate Worlds
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Health & Daily Living / Maturing
change
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Maturing
JNF053320
addition
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Social Topics / Consent & Boundaries
JNF053240
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Social Topics / Emigration & Immigration
change
JUVENILE NONFICTION / Social Topics / Emigration, Immigration & Refugees
Non-Fiction
Let’s talk about ‘Adult Nonfiction’, which we consider all codes that are not in the Fiction, Juvenile, or Young Adult categories. Note that the term ‘Adult’ does not appear anywhere in the BISAC list, but we are using it here because it helps keep us on the same page.
Art
Code
2023 Literal
Update
2024 Literal
ART077000
addition
ART / Disability
ART078000
addition
ART / Diversity & Multicultural
ART015030
ART / European
change
ART / European / General
ART015150
addition
ART / European / Dutch
ART015160
addition
ART / European / French
ART015170
addition
ART / European / German & Austrian
ART015180
addition
ART / European / Italian
ART015190
addition
ART / European / Spanish
ART015200
addition
ART / History / 1-500 C.E.
ART015210
addition
ART / History / 500-1000 C.E.
ART015220
addition
ART / History / 1000-1400 C.E.
ART015230
addition
ART / History / 1400-1600 C.E.
ART015240
addition
ART / History / 17th Century
ART015250
addition
ART / History / 18th Century
ART015260
addition
ART / History / 19th Century
ART015270
addition
ART / Movements / General
ART015280
addition
ART / Movements / Neoclassicism
ART015290
addition
ART / Movements / Impressionism & Post-Impressionism
ART015300
addition
ART / Movements / Art Nouveau
ART015100
ART / History / Modern (late 19th Century to 1945)
change
ART / Movements / Modernism
ART015310
addition
ART / Movements / Expressionism
ART015320
addition
ART / Movements / Art Deco
ART015330
addition
ART / Movements / Surrealism
ART015340
addition
ART / Movements / Abstract Expressionism
ART015350
addition
ART / Movements / Pop Art
Biography
Code
2023 Literal
Update
2024 Literal
BIO033000
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / People with Disabilities
change
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Disability
BIO041000
addition
BIOGRAPHY & AUTOBIOGRAPHY / Multicultural
Business
Code
2023 Literal
Update
2024 Literal
BUS120000
addition
BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Occupational Health & Safety
COMPUTERS / Artificial Intelligence / Generative AI
Cooking
Code
2023 Literal
Update
2024 Literal
CKB141000
addition
COOKING / Boards & Platters (incl. Charcuterie)
CKB142000
addition
COOKING / Methods / Fermentation
Drama
The work of new additions is thanks to the dedication of Blake Sproule and the team at Playwrights Canada Press, who drove the proposal list to the BISAC committee.
Code
2023 Literal
Update
2024 Literal
DRA029000
addition
DRAMA / Adaptations
DRA005020
addition
DRAMA / Asian / Indian & South Asian
DRA034000
addition
DRAMA / Monologues & Scenes
DRA038000
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / General
DRA038010
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Adolescence & Coming of Age
DRA038020
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Biography & Autobiography
DRA038030
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Death, Grief, Loss
DRA038050
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Emigration & Immigration
DRA038060
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Environment
DRA038070
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Family
DRA038080
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Feminist
DRA038090
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Horror
DRA038100
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Places
DRA038110
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Political & Protest
DRA038120
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Romance & Erotica
DRA038130
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Science
DRA038140
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / Small Town & Rural
DRA039000
addition
DRAMA / Theater for Young Audiences
DRA040000
addition
DRAMA / Type / Musicals
DRA038150
addition
DRAMA / Subjects & Themes / War
Design
Code
2023 Literal
Update
2024 Literal
DES016000
addition
DESIGN / Games
Family & Relationships
Code
2023 Literal
Update
2024 Literal
FAM062000
addition
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / African American & Black Families
FAM063000
addition
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Asian American & Pacific Islander Families
FAM064000
addition
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Hispanic & Latino Familiess
FAM057000
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Multiracial Families
change
FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Multicultural & Multiracial Families
Health & Fitness
Code
2023 Literal
Update
2024 Literal
HEA057000
addition
HEALTH & FITNESS / African American & Black
HEA058000
addition
HEALTH & FITNESS / Asian American & Pacific Islander
HEA059000
addition
HEALTH & FITNESS / Breathwork
HEA060000
addition
HEALTH & FITNESS / College & University Students
HEA018000
HEALTH & FITNESS / Physical Impairments
change
HEALTH & FITNESS / Disability
HEA061000
addition
HEALTH & FITNESS / Hispanic & Latino
HEA062000
addition
HEALTH & FITNESS / Menstruation
HEA063000
addition
HEALTH & FITNESS / Reproductive Health
History
Code
2023 Literal
Update
2024 Literal
HIS071000
addition
HISTORY / Asian American & Pacific Islander
HIS072000
addition
HISTORY / Disability
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY
This code, renamed to LANGUAGE STUDY, is a continuation of the work advised by our Working Group. Here are some of the highlighted changes, for the full list of changes click here.
Code
2023 Literal
Update
2024 Literal
FOR000000
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / General
change
LANGUAGE STUDY / General
FOR001000
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / African Languages (see also Swahili)
change
LANGUAGE STUDY / African Languages (see also Swahili)
FOR033000
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / Ancient Languages (see also Latin)
change
LANGUAGE STUDY / Ancient Languages (see also Latin)
FOR002000
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / Arabic
change
LANGUAGE STUDY / Arabic
FOR031000
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / Indigenous Languages in the Americas
change
LANGUAGE STUDY / Indigenous Languages in the Americas
FOR013000
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / Italian
change
LANGUAGE STUDY / Italian
FOR014000
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / Japanese
change
LANGUAGE STUDY / Japanese
FOR005000
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / Multi-Language Dictionaries
change
LANGUAGE STUDY / Multi-Language Dictionaries
FOR018000
FOREIGN LANGUAGE STUDY / Multi-Language Phrasebooks
Please refer to the list of Differences Between the 2023 and 2024 Editions for a complete list of new codes, changes, and deletions. You will find additional changes in Art, Fiction, Young Adult Fiction, Juvenile Fiction/Non-Fiction, Drama, Language Study, Bible, and many more. Don’t delay, review and update your system today!
