New version v2.0 [07.08.25]
What is the UKSLC Scheme?
This scheme is designed for the public library sector to provide library-oriented category headings applicable across the full range of adult non-fiction, fiction and children’s/young adult stock. It forms a set of headings developed by BIC and which were originally an adaptation of the full BIC scheme of Standard Subject Categories and Qualifiers, where revisions to the latter considered the needs of both the library and trade communities.
Introducing version 2.0 [07/08/25]
BIC has undertaken a significant review of the UK Standard Library Categories (UKSLC) Scheme. Version 2.0 constitutes the first significant update of the scheme since Version 1.2 was released in September 2019 which aligned the scheme with Thema, which is established as the primary subject scheme in the global publishing industry. The full specification can be downloaded below:
What has changed?
While the overall structure and application of UKSLC remains – that is, the parallel handling of three distinct ‘Types’ of material (Adult Non-Fiction, Adult Fiction and Children’s & Teenage) – the key change for v2.0 is the introduction of Section 4 Interest.
This allows for the allocation of Interest values from a single table to all material across all three Types. This single Interest table replaces the Interest values previously held in separate tables within each Type and greatly expands the range and detail of Interest values, especially with regard to ethnic groups.
This change maintains and increases compatibility with Thema – the UKSLC Interest values act very much like Thema qualifiers which can be assigned alongside all Thema subject categories.
Background on previous version 1.2
The previous version of BIC’s UKSLC Scheme was published in September 2019 and constituted the first significant update of the scheme since it was launched in 2008 as e4Libraires Subject Category Headings. V1.2 was based on the international Thema subject categories, taking advantage of the new developments featured in Thema.
Who uses the UKSLC Scheme?
Many library authorities have adopted categorisation schemes for fiction and non-fiction over the past forty plus years. The majority apply these categories solely at item-level to determine shelf display, though a minority also use them to provide a searchable option within the main title-level catalogue record. However, most of these schemes are unique to the authority concerned and rely heavily for their operation on costly and time-consuming staff intervention.
Why use the UKSLC scheme?
Adoption of a scheme of Thema-based standard subject/genre categories, made available to libraries in addition to existing Dewey classifications, offers the opportunity to reduce cost and streamline workflows by automating the categorisation process, and to support further improvements in stock selection, management, discovery and display.
The scheme provides a comprehensive set of fixed title-level category headings capable of supporting and facilitating all the following functions:
- shelf display/browsing
- electronic display/browsing
- standardised servicing
- reduction in complexity and cost of processing and selection
- evidence-based assessment of stock demand, supply and performance
- comparative performance analysis
- selection specification
- personalised recommendations
- links with retail sites
At the same time, it offers authorities a degree of flexibility in determining item-level shelf marks, the categories used to organise and display stock in individual locations, allowing them to customise the scheme to meet their specific needs and to integrate it with existing schemes they have already developed.
It is very much hoped that UK libraries and their suppliers will adopt UKSLC v2.0 as soon as possible.
Documentation
- Details of the new version UKSLC v.2.0
- UKSLC v2.0 User Guidelines
- UKSLC v2.0 worked examples
- Details of the previous version UKSLC v.1.2
If you have any questions or feedback please contact info@bic.org.uk.