Code lists Issue 50 for ONIX 3.0 has been released.* Complete listings of the ONIX codelists in PDF and HTML formats can be downloaded from the EDItEUR website:
Issue 50 stand-alone codelist documentation as readable PDF or HTML
Issue 50 TXT, CSV, XML, JSON files for loading into your data management applications
Issue 50 XSD, RNG, DTD schema modules for use with existing XML schema files (but note that it is better to download the latest 3.0.7 schemas since they incorporate a handful of small improvements)
The ‘strict’ XSD 1.1 with Issue 50 (the strict XSD must be updated each time there is a new issue of the codelists
The online browser for the ONIX code lists at ns.editeur.org/onix has been updated to issue 50.
Need help finding the documentation? Read this.
It should go without saying that everyone should review the document summarizing the changes and update their systems, but we've highlighted some changes of particular note for you below.
Contributor
Issue 50 clarifies contributor role A09 Creator by as "For example, of editorial concept, of board game, etc."
Issue 50 includes a change to list 151 Contributor place relator with the addition of code 00 "associated with" with the note "To express unknown relationship types (for use when expressing legacy ONIX 2.1 data in ONIX 3.0).” Note that this new code is recommended only for use with legacy data.
Measurements
Issue 50 includes the following changes to list 48 Measure type:
Code 01 Height now includes, "for trade-only products, the height of the trade packaging."
The addition of several new codes:
| Code | Label | Note |
|---|---|---|
| 19 | Assembled length | For use where product or part of product requires assembly, for example the size of a completed kit, puzzle or assembled display piece. The assembled dimensions may be larger than the product size as supplied. Use only when the unassembled dimensions as supplied (including any retail or trade packaging) are also provided using codes 01, 02 and 03. Use only with ONIX 3.0 |
| 20 | Assembled weight | |
| 21 | Assembled height | |
| 23 | Carton length | Includes packaging. See for number of copies of the product per pack, and used only when dimensions of individual copies (codes 01, 02, 03) AND are supplied. Note that neither orders nor deliveries have to be aligned with multiples of the pack quantity, but such orders and deliveries may be more convenient to handle. Use only with ONIX 3.0 |
| 24 | Carton width | |
| 25 | Carton height | |
| 26 | Carton weight | Includes the weight of product(s) within the carton. See for number of copies per pack, and used only when the weight of individual copies (code 08) AND are supplied. Use only with ONIX 3.0 |
| 27 | Pallet length | Includes pallet and packaging. See for number of copies of the product per pallet, and used only when dimensions of individual copies (codes 01, 02, 03) AND are supplied. Note that neither orders nor deliveries have to be aligned with multiples of the pallet quantity, but such orders and deliveries may be more convenient to handle. Use only with ONIX 3.0 |
| 28 | Pallet width | |
| 29 | Pallet height | Total height of pallet and stacked cartons |
| 30 | Pallet weight | Includes the weight of product(s) and cartons stacked on the pallet. See for the number of copies per pallet, and used only when the weight of individual copies (code 08) AND are supplied. Use only with ONIX 3.0 |
Product form
Issue 50 includes a change to list 79 Product form feature type where code 03 Text font is expanded to include the note "The font size may be specified with the font name, but is preferred separately (in points) in <ProductFormFeatureValue>. This resolves a confusion about how typeface and point size should be specified. The preferred form is:
<ProductFormFeature> <!-- for 18pt Tiresias LP in a large print book --> <ProductFormFeatureType>03</ProductFormFeatureType> <ProductFormFeatureValue>18</ProductFormFeatureValue> <ProductFormFeatureDescription>Tiresias LP</ProductFormFeatureDescription> </ProductFormFeature>
Issue 50 includes a change to list 150 Product form with the addition of code ZX "other toy/game accessories" with the note "Other toy, game and puzzle items not specified by ZB to ZN, generally accessories to other products etc. Further detail is expected in , as and are unlikely to be sufficient." In addition, the text from “Further detail is expected…” is also added in codes AZ-ZZ.
Issue 50 includes the following additions to list 175 Product form detail:
| Code | Label | Note |
|---|---|---|
| B135 | Mass market max paperback | In North America, a category of paperback characterized partly by page size (typically 7⅛ x 4¾ inches) and partly by target market and terms of trade. Use with Product Form code BC |
| E149 | Comic Book Archive zip | Format for comic books, consisting primarily of sequentially named PNG or JPEG images in a zip container (.cbz file extension) |
| Z101 | Wooden | Primary material composition (eg of kit or puzzle pieces, of gameplay tokens or tiles) is wood or has wooden pieces/parts |
| Z102 | Plastic | Plastic or plastic pieces/parts |
| Z103 | Board/card | Card or board pieces/parts |
| Z121 | Extra large pieces | Designed and sized for the very young, or those with visual impairments, limited motor skills, dementia etc |
The ‘mass market max’ size is a newly-common named size being used in the North American book trade, wider and taller than typical mass-market (rack-size) books but not considered Trade paperbacks. As always, use of a named size does not replace the use of the composite.
The Z codes are primarily added for use with toys, kits and games, to indicate the primary material used for kit pieces, gameplay tokens, tiles and other parts (except cards or board in a game).
Text
Issue 50 includes a change to list 153 for the following codes:
Changes to codes 05/27, intended to clarify the primary cover copy almost always comes from the back of the cover or jacket, while retaining the option to include any subsidiary text using code 27. Where:
Code 05 refers to "Primary" cover copy with the revised note "Primary descriptive blurb usually taken from the back of the cover or jacket, or occasionally from the cover/jacket flaps. See also code 27."
Code 37 Secondary cover copy and its revised note "Secondary descriptive blurb taken from the cover/jacket flaps, or occasionally from the back cover or jacket, used only when there are two separate texts and the primary text is included using code 05."
the addition of code 32 "list of contents" with the note "Eg for a game, kit. Note: use code 04 for a Table of contents of a book."
Audience
Issue 50 includes a change to list 10 Bloggers with the addition of code 10 "(Including vloggers, influencers etc) Used where this content audience is distinct from end customers or the Press," to be used for marketing collateral targeted specifically at online commentary / information outlets.
*A note to ONIX 2.1 users
ONIX 2.1 users should note that code list updates no longer apply to ONIX 2.1 and users should continue to use Issue 36. ONIX 3.0 code lists and schema modules no longer contain codes or lists unique to ONIX 2.1. You can still obtain the correct ONIX 2.1 schema and code lists from the Archived Previous Releases page.
BookNet still recommends that you use and periodically update your copy of EDItEUR's best practices guide. It is an essential ONIX 3.0 guide, but much of the information in it applies equally to ONIX 2.1.
BookNet would like to pause, catch its breath, and note to ONIX 2.1 users that there is now a full decade — 10 years — of new development available to users in ONIX 3.0. You should be considering what your systems need to support. ONIX 3.0 is easier to develop than you think, and it supports greater accuracy and detail in all aspects of data trading. Read more BNC blog posts on ONIX & bibliographic standards here.
Insights into the behaviour of Canadian book borrowers.