A glowing blue holographic screen displaying XML-style code and metadata overlaid on a background of out-of-focus bookshelves in a library.

Useful Resources

At BooksoniX, we believe that high-quality data is the engine of a successful publishing business. We’ve curated this hub of free tools, technical references, and ONIX guides to help you master book metadata management and ensure your titles are retail-ready.

While many of these resources link to trusted industry partners, several of the tools, including our Thema and Codelist browsers, were developed in-house by our team to help solve real-world metadata challenges.

We are committed to providing the best possible support to the publishing community. If you have feedback on these resources or ideas for a new tool that would simplify your workflow, please get in touch. Solving problems for our customers is what we do.

BooksoniX Tools & Utilities

Some free tools implemented by the BooksoniX team. We hope you find these useful.

Explore the official ONIX codelists with our intuitive search tool.

Launch codelist browser

Use our browser to navigate the official Thema subject scheme and find accurate classifications for your titles.

Open Thema subject browser

Easily divide large ONIX data files into smaller, more manageable sets for easier uploading or distribution. All processing is done in your browser to respect your privacy – at no point do we have visibility of your ONIX data.

Open ONIX file splitter

Industry Standards

Essential standards and specifications for modern publishing

For implementation guides and full technical specifications, visit the official home of the ONIX standard.

View documentation on EDItEUR.org

Thema is the international standard for book classification, providing a globally consistent approach to subject categorisation.

Read the Thema implementation guide at EDItEUR.org

Official and up-to-date code lists, information about how to use them, and code lists in other languages are all available at EDItEUR.org

View code list documentation at EDItEUR.org

BISAC Subject Headings are the definitive standard for subject classification within the North American book industry.

View the current BISAC Subject Headings

Industry Organizations

Global organizations that provide essential support to publishers worldwide.

EDItEUR is the global trade standards organization responsible for coordinating the development of the ONIX and Thema standards.

Visit the official EDItEUR website

BIC is the industry-led body helping the UK book supply chain become more efficient, sustainable, and innovative through technology and standards.

Visit the BIC website

BISG works to improve the efficiency of the US book industry by developing and promoting standards, research, and best practices.

Visit the BISG website

NielsenIQ BookData provides essential market insights, retail sales tracking, and bibliographic data services to publishers and retailers worldwide.

Visit the NielsenIQ BookData website

Associations

The Independent Publishers Guild (IPG) is the primary membership body for the independent sector in the UK and Ireland, offering support and community for publishers of all sizes.

Visit the IPG website

Representing UK publishers of all sizes and specialisms, the PA advocates for the industry and provides essential support to its members.

Learn more about the Publishers Association

The ACP serves as the national voice for Canada’s independent book publishing industry. Its membership includes over 115 Canadian-owned companies representing the full diversity of the independent sector.

Learn more about the ACP

IBPA is the largest publishing association in the U.S., providing advocacy and educational resources for independent publishers, hybrid presses, and self-published authors.

Visit the IBPA website

The Australian Publishers Association represents more than 200 publishers advocating for an industry that is sustainable, inclusive and future-focused.

Learn about the APA

Learning Resources

Educational materials and training resources

BIC offers a comprehensive range of expert-led training courses designed to upskill publishing professionals in industry standards and best practices.

Browse BIC Training Courses

These expert-written papers offer clear, accurate, and practical insights into key publishing topics. Content ranges from metadata best practices to the latest updates on EU regulations.

Explore BIC Bites Papers

Access a wide range of expert-led webinars covering the latest trends, research, and technical standards in the North American book industry.

View the BISG Webinar Schedule

High-quality metadata is the key to book discoverability. Use these industry guidelines from BIC to ensure your product data is accurate, consistent, and retail-ready.

Access Metadata Best Practices

The IPG offers expert-led training designed to upskill publishers in critical modern areas, including accessibility, marketing, AI, and corporate governance.

Visit IPG’s training resources hub

What is ONIX?

ONIX for Books ‘ONline Information eXchange’ is the global data standard for communicating rich, commercial book metadata across the publishing supply chain. Far from being just a simple list of titles, it serves as a sophisticated language that allows publishers, distributors, and retailers to exchange comprehensive product information, including marketing text, rights, and pricing, regardless of language or location.

By adopting an ONIX-based workflow, publishers can transition from manual, error-prone spreadsheets to a “single source of truth,” drastically improving operational efficiency and data accuracy. For distributors and retailers, ONIX ensures rapid, automated updates and better product discoverability. Ultimately, ONIX acts as the essential invisible infrastructure of the modern book trade; it transforms internal data into a powerful sales tool, ensuring titles are correctly represented and easily found by readers worldwide. It is the vital bridge that connects your content to the global market.