Thema transition FAQs

Q: What is Thema, and why is it replacing BIC?

Thema is a global, multilingual subject category classification system for books, serving as a universal language to categorise and organise books based on their content, making it easier for readers, booksellers, and libraries to find the books they're looking for. Think of it as a universal language that helps everyone in the book industry understand what a book is about. 

It is replacing the older BIC Subject Categories scheme as it offers a more modern and efficient classification system. Thema already has widespread international participation and adoption. Learn more about Thema and its benefits to Australian publishers here.

Q: When is BIC expected to become obsolete, and what happens if we still have BIC data after that date?

BIC will become obsolete by February 2024, however this doesn’t mean that the BIC codes will stop working overnight. In fact, TitlePage will still require that you provide BIC for all titles for twelve months following that date.

Increasingly as more retailers are using Thema and not BIC, Publishers may find that titles are less well merchandised and promoted, books will suffer loss of valuable discoverability options, titles or websites will be associated with outdated terminology, and retailers will be unable to categorise books in important new areas of publishing.

TitlePage has recently completed development to provide BIC to Thema translation, ensuring a flexible approach to help everyone in the supply chain transition smoothly to Thema. However, if you are providing metadata directly to other parties, make sure you check their timeline.

Q: What is the role of TitlePage in the transition to Thema?

TitlePage will be facilitating the transition through automatic translation of BIC classifications to Thema where records do not have native Thema classifications. 

To avoid impact on performance as large numbers of records are translated for the first time, this translation will be rolled out gradually across publishers over December 2023.

This translated Thema will be available to Publishers via monthly FTP ONIX exports, and may be used by Publishers to assist in updating backlist titles. Contact TitlePage to discuss other ways of accessing translated Thema data.

Q: Can you clarify the timeline for the transition to Thema?

The timeline provided is a draft and pertains specifically to TitlePage. It is designed to minimise disruptions and includes the following milestones:

• December 2023: TitlePage will begin mapping BIC to Thema on ingestion.
• Q1 2024: The APA may offer direct translation services for Publishers for their internal backlist – contact the APA to discuss.
• Q3 2024: TitlePage will transition to Thema as the primary subject classification scheme for search and segmentation, with native Thema highly encouraged but BIC still mandatory.
• February 2025: 12 months past the BIC obsolescence date, Thema becomes the primary classification scheme on TitlePage, and BIC is no longer required for Publishers providing native Thema.

Please note that the timeline is subject to adjustments and refinements.

Q:  What training and support are available for our staff in understanding and implementing Thema?

The APA has coordinated Thema training workshops with EDItEUR in early 2024. Learn more and book here,or express your interest for future sessions, and we will schedule based on demand. Publishers are encouraged to express their interest in this training, as it can help them navigate the transition effectively. The APA can schedule training sessions with EDItEUR whenever there is enough interest.

Q: Will there be opportunities for discussions and updates regarding Thema in the Australian book industry?

Thema is constantly updated through an international network of working groups that respond to the demands of the local book market. If you want to explore describing your books better, Thema will support this. The APA coordinates the Australian working group, and if the concepts and categories within your Publishing list aren’t yet described within Thema, we can coordinate submissions to the international standard.

Work is underway for proposals on behalf of Australia to be added to the new version of Thema (Thema 1.6) expected in October 2024. Thema 1.6 will be backwards compatible. 

If we’ve convinced you that this is a discussion you’d like to be a part of, we’d encourage you to get involved with the Australian Thema Group, which you can do here.

Thema and booksellers

Q: How can we access Thema if we receive data via TitlePage?

Recent TitlePage development maps BIC to Thema, meaning you now have access to Thema. This means that Thema codes are now visible on all TitlePage records, and available in data feeds – including feeds to POS systems.

If you receive data directly from publishers and wish to take advantage of Thema, you will need to contact them directly to inquire about their adoption of Thema.

To build on Thema, future TitlePage development will integrate Thema within our search and discoverability functions.

Q. Do I need to know all of the Thema subject codes and how do I access them?

You don’t need to know the Thema codes to use Thema – the codes are meant for machine-to-machine exchange of metadata. You can however familiarise yourself with Thema, or simply explore the topics you are interested in, at the online Thema browser.

Q. What are some of the practical applications of Thema subject categories and qualifiers I could implement in my bookshop?

With the recent translation work between BIC to Thema on TitlePage, booksellers now have access to Thema and have the opportunity to integrate and utilise Thema within their systems. While the specifics will depend on your particular software (talk to your system provider to learn more),  Booksellers can integrate Thema subject categories into their website, point of sale system or search function to improve discoverability.

The versatility of Thema codes could be used to create very specific lists based on a particular topic or target audience. 

Implementing search options based on Thema subjects on websites can better enhance discoverability, as it allows customers to explore sections and refine their search using Thema subject categories and qualifiers, as well as other criteria such as price, format, author, and age range.

Thema and publishers

Q: What does translated Thema mean for me?

Publishers can access the translated Thema in the monthly TitlePage ONIX export files provided to their FTP. This data can be ingested into their system, ensuring they have access to Thema information. Publishers can inquire with the APA about available mapping instructions for any internal BIC to Thema mapping they might want to implement.

Q: Can Thema coexist with other classification schemes we might be using? 

Yes, Thema can coexist alongside any number of other subject classification schemes, including BIC, BISAC, and any existing national schemes though Thema will be the preferred scheme for Australia.

Q: What if we receive metadata from international publishers?

Reach out to your international colleagues to understand their timeline for changes related to BIC availability and native Thema adoption. TitlePage will still require BIC for a period past the obsolescence date, so staying informed about these changes is crucial. 

Q: How is Thema being used by metadata recipients beyond TitlePage?

You need to consider the requirements of other supply chain partners and recipients beyond TitlePage in your transition to Thema. For instance we understand that Amazon has shared that they are already prioritising Thema over other classification schemes. 
 

Q: Are booksellers ready to receive Thema? 

 It’s hard for most retailers to start making use of Thema until all records have Thema. By using translation from TitlePage, this can happen much sooner. Publishers can focus on adding native Thema to the front list, with mapping for backlist titles. Key backlist titles can be augmented with improved Thema more gradually.