Overview

Thema is a subject classification system for book publishing and, like the familiar BISAC or BIC systems, the idea is not to create an exhaustive subject system to describe all possible subjects (library subject systems do that better). A book-based subject system is more contained, easier to learn and apply than a broad library system, and only supports classifications where a reasonable number of published books exist.

What is new is that Thema is intended to support both international and national marketing of books. It combines a single international subject code list with six hierarchical qualifier lists. Each qualifier list provides common codes for international use, but they also include country codes and national market-specific codes that allow each qualifier code list to be subdivided. Thema not only works for international markets, but every country-based market can personalize the lists for their own supply chain.

This document assumes ONIX records are being used for data exchange but Thema is a completely independent standard. It may even seem to duplicate areas covered by ONIX: two examples are Audience (contained in the Special Interest list) and Education (its own Qualifier list). Here, BookNet Canada recommends supporting the current ONIX values in the North American market, which are well used and supported now. Publishers should not feel it's necessary to add redundant metadata. BookNet Canada does not discourage Canadian publishers from selling their books in other markets, and redundancy in these codes normally means there are different practices in other markets. For example, the United Kingdom uses Thema education codes to identify books for their national curriculum. Publishers should feel welcome to support other market's national codes if their books are appropriate to that market's supply chain needs and are readily available for sale in that market.

Getting Started With Thema

TIMELINE FOR IMPLEMENTATION

Ultimately, Thema is intended to replace the current North American BISAC subject system. However, BookNet and BISG will continue to support BISAC for the foreseeable future, and no sunset date has been set for BISAC codes.

BookNet Canada's expectation is that books being marketed internationally will see the most immediate benefits from the shift to Thema. Therefore, booksellers and publishers handling international sales may wish to transition as soon as possible.

We are asking publishers to run Thema and BISAC codes simultaneously to allow for a transition period where publishers and retailers are able to provide feedback about the system, and learn to use the Thema codes effectively.

HOW TO GET STARTED

A good place to start implementing Thema is with your front-list titles. As mentioned above, we expect that publishers and retailers will use both BISAC and Thema codes concurrently for some time, and communicate any issues they encounter during that time to us at biblio@booknetcanada.ca.

The resources below will help you get started with Thema, and let you know where to go for further information or assistance.

Resources:

Thema Version 1.2 is available from EDItEUR: www.editeur.org/151/Thema

The Thema Basic User Instructions is a good starting document for anyone working on subject coding. It provides an introduction to the scheme, some general principles for best practices, and brief definitions of all of the subject codes and qualifier lists.

Mapping from BISAC to Thema:

BISG and BookNet Canada have released a mapping from BISAC subjects to Thema subjects available here.

BookNet Canada Support:

BookNet Canada has organized a Thema working group for English-language Canadian publishers. If you would like to participate, please contact biblio@booknetcanada.ca.

If demand is evident, BookNet Canada may develop a news group for users who are implementing Thema to exchange information. If you would be interested in joining this mailing list, please let us know at biblio@booknetcanada.ca.