Differences Between the 2021 and 2022 Editions

The table below lists the additions, changes, deletions (for cross-references only), and inactivations that were applied to the 2021 edition of the BISAC Subject Heading List (11/2021) to create the 2022 edition of the BISAC Subject Heading List (11/2022).

While most of the additions/changes/deletions are relatively straightforward, code inactivation merits further explanation.  Codes were inactivated when the literals they represented were deemed to be one or more of the following:

  • Redundant
  • Not widely used
  • Easily confused with other subjects
  • More appropriately listed in a different section

It is highly recommended that inactivated codes that have already been assigned to ISBNs be replaced with active codes.  To this end, instructions on code replacement are included in the table below.

It is recognized that locating and replacing all occurrences of inactivated codes may not be possible or practical.  With that in mind, please note that:

  • Inactivated codes will never be "recycled" and assigned to a different literal.
  • There will be a cumulating Appendix of Inactivated Codes at the end of each version of the Subject Heading List. All inactivated codes from all previous versions will appear on this list indefinitely so that the meaning of an old code will never be lost.

Instructions are also included when the scope of a subject has decreased, because this might necessitate the reclassification of titles that have been assigned this subject.  Instructions are not usually included when a subject's scope has increased, but users should note that a scope increase may allow the re-classification of a work that previously fell under a more general subject.

Listed in order of New Literal (if none, then Old Literal)

Trans key:    A = Addition    C = Change    D = Deletion (x-refs only)    I = Inactivation    R = Reactivation

Trans
Code
Old Literal
New Literal
Comments

C

x-ref – no code

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Automobiles see Transportation

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Automobiles see Subjects & Themes / Transportation

x-ref change

A

ANT057000

 

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Buying & Selling / General

 

A

ANT057010

 

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Buying & Selling / Auctions & Dealerships

 

A

ANT057020

 

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Buying & Selling / Estate Sales & Storage Units

 

A

ANT057030

 

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Buying & Selling / Flea Markets, Yard Sales, Thrift Shops, etc.

 

A

ANT057040

 

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Buying & Selling / Online Sales (see also BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / E-Commerce / Small Business)

 

C

x-ref – no code

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Cars see Transportation

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Cars see Subjects & Themes / Transportation

x-ref change

C

x-ref – no code

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Dance see Performing Arts

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Dance see Subjects & Themes / Performing Arts

x-ref change

C

x-ref – no code

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Disneyana see Americana

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Disneyana see Subjects & Themes / Americana

x-ref change

C

x-ref – no code

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Hummels see Figurines or Popular Culture

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Hummels see Figurines

x-ref change

C

x-ref – no code

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Movies see Performing Arts

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Movies see Subjects & Themes / Performing Arts

x-ref change

C

x-ref – no code

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Musical Instruments see Performing Arts

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Musical Instruments see Subjects & Themes / Performing Arts

x-ref change

D

x-ref – no code

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Nautical see Transportation

 

x-ref deletion

C

ANT036000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Radios & Televisions (see also Performing Arts)

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Radios & Televisions (see also Subjects & Themes / Performing Arts)

[no change to the assignable literal – just change to the see also]

D

x-ref – no code

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Royalty see Popular Culture

 

x-ref deletion

A

ANT058000

 

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / General

 

C

ANT001000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Americana

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Americana

 

A

ANT058010

 

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Animals

 

C

ANT054000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Canadiana

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Canadiana

 

A

ANT058020

 

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Holidays

 

C

ANT024000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Military

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Military

 

R

ANT027000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Nautical

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Nautical

 

C

ANT025000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Performing Arts

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Performing Arts

 

C

ANT031000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Political

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Political

 

C

ANT052000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Popular Culture

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Popular Culture

 

A

ANT058030

 

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Religious

 

R

ANT039000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Royalty

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Royalty

 

C

ANT043000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Sports (see also headings under Sports Cards)

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Sports (see also headings under Sports Cards)

 

C

ANT055000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Tobacco-Related

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Tobacco-Related

 

A

ANT058040

 

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Trains

 

C

ANT009000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Transportation

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Transportation

 

C

x-ref – no code

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Televisions & Television-Related see Performing Arts or Radios & Televisions

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Televisions & Television-Related see Radios & Televisions or Subjects & Themes / Performing Arts

x-ref change

C

x-ref – no code

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Theater see Performing Arts

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Theater see Subjects & Themes / Performing Arts

x-ref change

C

ANT050000

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Toys

ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Toys & Games

 

A

ART068000

 

ART / Celtic Art

 

C

ART049000

ART / Russian & Former Soviet Union

ART / Russian & Soviet

 

A

ART050070

 

ART / Subjects & Themes / Still Life

 

A

BIB026000

 

BIBLES / Catholic Translations / General

 

A

BIB026010

 

BIBLES / Catholic Translations / Children

 

A

BIB026020

 

BIBLES / Catholic Translations / Devotional

 

A

BIB026030

 

BIBLES / Catholic Translations / Dramatized

 

A

BIB026040

 

BIBLES / Catholic Translations / Journaling

 

A

BIB026050

 

BIBLES / Catholic Translations / New Testament & Portions

 

A

BIB026060

 

BIBLES / Catholic Translations / Outreach

 

A

BIB026070

 

BIBLES / Catholic Translations / Reading

 

A

BIB026080

 

BIBLES / Catholic Translations / Reference

 

A

BIB026090

 

BIBLES / Catholic Translations / Study

 

A

BIB026100

 

BIBLES / Catholic Translations / Text

 

A

BIB026110

 

BIBLES / Catholic Translations / Youth & Teen

 

A

BIB027000

 

BIBLES / Other Spanish Translations / General

 

A

BIB027010

 

BIBLES / Other Spanish Translations / Children

 

A

BIB027020

 

BIBLES / Other Spanish Translations / Devotional

 

A

BIB027030

 

BIBLES / Other Spanish Translations / Dramatized

 

A

BIB027040

 

BIBLES / Other Spanish Translations / Journaling

 

A

BIB027050

 

BIBLES / Other Spanish Translations / New Testament & Portions

 

A

BIB027060

 

BIBLES / Other Spanish Translations / Outreach

 

A

BIB027070

 

BIBLES / Other Spanish Translations / Reading

 

A

BIB027080

 

BIBLES / Other Spanish Translations / Reference

 

A

BIB027090

 

BIBLES / Other Spanish Translations / Study

 

A

BIB027100

 

BIBLES / Other Spanish Translations / Text

 

A

BIB027110

 

BIBLES / Other Spanish Translations / Youth & Teen

 

A

BUS118000

 

BUSINESS & ECONOMICS / Diversity & Inclusion

 

A

CGN018000

 

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Action & Adventure

 

A

CGN019000

 

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Fairy Tales, Folk Tales, Legends & Mythology

 

A

CGN020000

 

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / International

 

A

CGN004330

 

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Manga / Food

 

A

CGN021000

 

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Manhwa

 

A

CGN007030

 

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Nonfiction / Journalism

 

A

CGN007040

 

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Nonfiction / Science & Nature

 

C

CGN016000

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Supernatural

COMICS & GRAPHIC NOVELS / Occult & Supernatural

 

C

CKB128000

COOKING / Media Tie-In

COOKING / Celebrities & Media Tie-In

 

C

x-ref – no code

COOKING / Cigars & Tobacco see Entertaining or ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Tobacco-Related

COOKING / Cigars & Tobacco see Entertaining or ANTIQUES & COLLECTIBLES / Subjects & Themes / Tobacco-Related

x-ref change

A

CKB132000

 

COOKING / Farm to Table

 

C

CKB020000

COOKING / Methods / Cookery for One

COOKING / Methods / Cooking for One

 

A

CKB133000

 

COOKING / Picnicking & Tailgating

 

A

CKB134000

 

COOKING / Regional & Ethnic / Amish & Mennonite

 

A

CRA066000

 

CRAFTS & HOBBIES / Cosplay

 

A

CRA067000

 

CRAFTS & HOBBIES / Tape Crafts

 

A

DRA004050

 

DRAMA / European / Eastern

 

C

DRA020000

DRAMA / Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

DRAMA / Indigenous Peoples in the Americas

 

C

x-ref – no code

DRAMA / Native American see Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

DRAMA / Native American see Indigenous Peoples in the Americas

x-ref change

C

DRA016000

DRAMA / Russian & Former Soviet Union

DRAMA / Russian & Soviet

 

A

FAM059000

 

FAMILY & RELATIONSHIPS / Miscarriage & Baby Loss

 

C

FIC079000

FICTION / Disabilities & Special Needs

FICTION / Disabilities

 

A

FIC130000

 

FICTION / Diversity & Multicultural

 

A

FIC014080

 

FICTION / Historical / 20th Century / General

 

C

FIC014040

FICTION / Historical / World War I

FICTION / Historical / 20th Century / World War I

 

C

FIC014050

FICTION / Historical / World War II

FICTION / Historical / 20th Century / World War II

 

A

FIC014090

 

FICTION / Historical / 20th Century / Post-World War II

 

A

FIC131000

 

FICTION / Middle Eastern & Arab American

 

A

FIC132000

 

FICTION / Neurodiversity

 

A

FIC133000

 

FICTION / Performing Arts / General

 

A

FIC133010

 

FICTION / Performing Arts / Dance, Theater & Musicals

 

A

FIC133020

 

FICTION / Performing Arts / Film, Television & Radio

 

A

FIC133030

 

FICTION / Performing Arts / Music

 

A

FIC027490

 

FICTION / Romance / International

 

A

GAM025000

 

GAMES & ACTIVITIES / Darts

 

A

GAM026000

 

GAMES & ACTIVITIES / Mahjong

 

A

GAM027000

 

GAMES & ACTIVITIES / Party Games

 

A

GAR032000

 

GARDENING / Composting

 

C

x-ref – no code

HISTORY / Europe / Soviet Union see Europe / Russia & the Former Soviet Union

HISTORY / Europe / Soviet Union see Russia / Soviet Era

x-ref change

A

HIS067000

 

HISTORY / Europe / Ukraine

 

C

HIS028000

HISTORY / Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

HISTORY / Indigenous Peoples in the Americas

 

C

HIS027280

HISTORY / Military / Guerilla Warfare

HISTORY / Military / Guerrilla Warfare

 

C

x-ref – no code

HISTORY / Native American see Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

HISTORY / Native American see Indigenous Peoples in the Americas

x-ref change

C

HIS032000

HISTORY / Russia & the Former Soviet Union

HISTORY / Russia / General

 

A

HIS032010

 

HISTORY / Russia / Imperial

 

A

HIS032020

 

HISTORY / Russia / Soviet Era

 

A

HIS032030

 

HISTORY / Russia / Post-Soviet

 

A

HUM027000

 

HUMOR / Topic / Health & Aging

 

A

JUV008150

 

JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / African American & Black

 

A

JUV008160

 

JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island

 

A

JUV008180

 

JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / LGBTQ+

 

A

JUV008170

 

JUVENILE FICTION / Comics & Graphic Novels / Native American

 

C

JUV039150

JUVENILE FICTION / Disabilities & Special Needs

JUVENILE FICTION / Disabilities

 

C

JUV012080

JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Indigenous Peoples in the Americas

 

C

x-ref – no code

JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Native American see Legends, Myths, Fables / Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

JUVENILE FICTION / Legends, Myths, Fables / Native American see Legends, Myths, Fables / Indigenous Peoples in the Americas

x-ref change

C

JUV030030

JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Canada / General

JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Canada

 

A

x-ref – no code

 

JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Canada / Indigenous (see headings under People & Places / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island)

x-ref addition

C

JUV030090

JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Canada / Indigenous

JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island / General

 

A

JUV030140

 

JUVENILE FICTION / People & Places / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island / Teachings

 

C

JNF053180

JUVENILE NONFICTION / Disabilities & Special Needs

JUVENILE NONFICTION / Disabilities

 

C

JNF038040

JUVENILE NONFICTION / People & Places / Canada / General

JUVENILE NONFICTION / People & Places / Canada

 

A

x-ref – no code

 

JUVENILE NONFICTION / People & Places / Canada / Indigenous (see headings under People & Places / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island)

x-ref addition

C

JNF038120

JUVENILE NONFICTION / People & Places / Canada / Indigenous

JUVENILE NONFICTION / People & Places / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island / General

 

A

JNF038140

 

JUVENILE NONFICTION / People & Places / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island / Teachings & Traditions

 

C

LAN009040

LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / Psycholinguistics

LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / Psycholinguistics / General

 

A

LAN009070

 

LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / Psycholinguistics / Language Acquisition

 

A

LAN009080

 

LANGUAGE ARTS & DISCIPLINES / Linguistics / Psycholinguistics / Neurolinguistics

 

A

LAW120000

 

LAW / Animal Law

 

C

LAW110000

LAW / Indigenous Peoples

LAW / Indigenous Law

 

A

LCO002020

 

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / American / Asian American & Pacific Islander

 

A

LCO002030

 

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / American / Hispanic & Latino

 

C

LCO008010

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / European / Eastern (see also Russian & Former Soviet Union)

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / European / Eastern (see also Russian & Soviet)

[no change to the assignable literal – just change to the see also]

C

LCO013000

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Indigenous Peoples in the Americas

 

C

x-ref – no code

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Native American see Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Native American see Indigenous Peoples in the Americas

x-ref change

A

LCO021000

 

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Prisoners’ Writings

 

C

LCO014000

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Russian & Former Soviet Union

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Russian & Soviet

 

A

LCO022000

 

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Subjects & Themes / General

 

A

LCO022010

 

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Subjects & Themes / Animals & Nature

 

A

LCO022020

 

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Subjects & Themes / Love & Erotica

 

A

LCO022030

 

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Subjects & Themes / Places

 

A

LCO022040

 

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Subjects & Themes / Religious & Inspirational

 

A

LCO022050

 

LITERARY COLLECTIONS / Subjects & Themes / War

 

C

LIT004110

LITERARY CRITICISM / European / Eastern (see also Russian & Former Soviet Union)

LITERARY CRITICISM / European / Eastern (see also Russian & Soviet)

[no change to the assignable literal – just change to the see also]

D

x-ref – no code

LITERARY CRITICISM / European / English, Irish, Scottish, Welsh / Shakespeare see Shakespeare

 

x-ref deletion

C

LIT004060

LITERARY CRITICISM / Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

LITERARY CRITICISM / Indigenous Peoples in the Americas

 

C

x-ref – no code

LITERARY CRITICISM / Native American see Indigenous Peoples of the Americas

LITERARY CRITICISM / Native American see Indigenous Peoples in the Americas

x-ref change

A

LIT026000

 

LITERARY CRITICISM / Novel as Form

 

C

LIT004240

LITERARY CRITICISM / Russian & Former Soviet Union

LITERARY CRITICISM / Russian & Soviet

 

A

LIT025060

 

LITERARY CRITICISM / Subjects & Themes / Culture, Race & Ethnicity

 

A

LIT025070

 

LITERARY CRITICISM / Subjects & Themes / Gender Identity

 

A

LIT025080

 

LITERARY CRITICISM / Subjects & Themes / Love & Erotica

 

A

PER004160

 

PERFORMING ARTS / Film / Regional & National

 

C

PET004020

PETS / Dogs / Training

PETS / Dogs / Training & Showing

 

A

PHI047000

 

PHILOSOPHY / African

 

A

PHI048000

 

PHILOSOPHY / Environmental

 

A

PHI049000

 

PHILOSOPHY / Nature

 

C

POE011000

POETRY / Canadian / General

POETRY / Canadian

 

A

POE027000

 

POETRY / European / Eastern

 

C

POE011010

POETRY / Canadian / Indigenous

POETRY / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island

 

A

POE028000

 

POETRY / Jewish

 

C

POE016000

POETRY / Russian & Former Soviet Union

POETRY / Russian & Soviet

 

A

POE029000

 

POETRY / Sonnets

 

C

POE023030

POETRY / Subjects & Themes / Nature

POETRY / Subjects & Themes / Animals & Nature

 

A

x-ref – no code

 

POETRY / Subjects & Themes / Humorous see HUMOR / Form / Limericks & Verse

x-ref addition

A

POE023060

 

POETRY / Subjects & Themes / Political & Protest

 

A

POE023070

 

POETRY / Subjects & Themes / War

 

C

POL060000

POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / Russian & Former Soviet Union

POLITICAL SCIENCE / World / Russian & Soviet

 

A

REL012180

 

RELIGION / Christian Living / Afterlife

 

A

SPO083000

 

SPORTS & RECREATION / College Sports

 

A

SPO084000

 

SPORTS & RECREATION / Racket Sports / Pickleball

 

A

SPO085000

 

SPORTS & RECREATION / Women in Sports

 

I

TRV012000

TRAVEL / Former Soviet Republics

 

Move titles to appropriate TRV heading.

C

TRV026030

TRAVEL / Special Interest / Disabilities & Special Needs

TRAVEL / Special Interest / Disabilities

 

C

YAF058070

YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Disabilities & Special Needs

YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Disabilities

 

A

YAF046170

 

YOUNG ADULT FICTION / People & Places / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island

 

A

YAF075000

 

YOUNG ADULT FICTION / Urban & Street Lit

 

C

YAN051230

YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Disabilities & Special Needs

YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Disabilities

 

A

YAN061000

 

YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / Diversity & Multicultural

 

A

YAN038160

 

YOUNG ADULT NONFICTION / People & Places / Indigenous Peoples of Turtle Island