
Book Publishers
Description
This industry comprises establishments known as book publishers. Establishments in this industry carry out design, editing, and marketing activities necessary for producing and distributing books. These establishments may publish books in print, electronic, or audio form, including exclusively on the Internet. Illustrative Examples: Atlas publishers Religious book publishers Graphic novel publishers School textbook publishers Encyclopedia publishers Technical manual publishers Map publishers Travel guide book publishers
Hierarchy
| Code | Title | Description |
|---|---|---|
| 51 | Information 2-digit sector | The Sector as a Whole The Information sector comprises establishments engaged in the following processes: (a) producing and distributing information and cultural products, (b) providing the means to transmit or distribute these products as well as data or communications, and (c) processing data. The main components of this sector are motion picture and sound recording industries; publishing industries, including software publishing; broadcasting and content providers; telecommunications industries; computing infrastructure providers, data processing, Web hosting, and related services; and Web search portals, libraries, archives, and other information services. The unique characteristics of information and cultural products, and of the processes involved in their production and distribution, distinguish the Information sector from the goods-producing and service-producing sectors. Some of these characteristics are: 1. Unlike traditional goods, an ''information or cultural product,'' such as an online newspaper or a television program, does not necessarily have tangible qualities, nor is it necessarily associated with a particular form. A movie can be viewed at a movie theater or through television broadcast, video-on-demand, or streaming services. A sound recording can be aired on radio, embedded in multimedia products, streamed, or sold at a record store. 2. Unlike traditional services, the delivery of these products does not require direct contact between the supplier and the consumer. 3. The value of these products to the consumer lies in their informational, educational, cultural, or entertainment content, not in the format in which they are distributed. Most of these products are protected from unlawful reproduction by copyright laws. 4. The intangible property aspect of information and cultural products makes the processes involved in their production and distribution very different from goods and services. Only those possessing the rights to these works are authorized to reproduce, alter, improve, and distribute them. Acquiring and using these rights often involves significant costs. In addition, technology has revolutionized the distribution of these products. It is possible to distribute them in a physical form, via broadcast, or online. 5. Distributors of information and cultural products can easily add value to the products they distribute. For instance, broadcasters add advertising not contained in the original product. This capacity means that unlike traditional goods distributors, they derive revenue not from sale of the distributed product to the final consumer, but from those who pay for the privilege of adding information to the original product. Similarly, a directory and mailing list publisher can acquire the rights to thousands of previously published newspaper and periodical articles and add new value by providing search and software and organizing the information in a way that facilitates research and retrieval. These products often command a much higher price than the original information. Excluded from this sector are establishments primarily engaged in custom design of software; mass reproducing software or other prerecorded audio and video material on magnetic or optical media; producing live artistic and cultural works or productions; and performing in or creating artistic and cultural works or productions as independent (i.e., freelance) individuals. |
| 513 | Publishing Industries 3-digit subsector | Industries in the Publishing Industries subsector group establishments engaged in publishing newspapers, magazines, other periodicals, books, directories, and software. In general, establishments known as publishers issue copies of works for which they usually possess copyright. Works may be in one or more formats including print form, CD-ROM, proprietary electronic networks, or exclusively on the Internet. Publishers may publish works originally created by others for which they have obtained the rights and/or works that they have created in-house. Publishers may publish only and license rights to others to distribute their content, or they may publish and distribute content they create or own. Software publishing is included here because the activity, creation of a copyrighted product and bringing it to market, is equivalent to the creation process for other types of intellectual products. In NAICS, publishing--the reporting, writing, editing, and other processes that are required to create an edition of a newspaper, for example--is treated as a major economic activity in its own right, rather than as a subsidiary activity to a manufacturing activity, printing. Thus, publishing is classified in the Information sector; whereas, printing is in the Manufacturing sector. The Publishing Industries subsector excludes printed products, such as manifold business forms and appointment books, for which information is not the essential component. Establishments producing these items are included in Subsector 323, Printing and Related Support Activities. Reproduction of prepackaged software is treated in NAICS as a manufacturing activity, and custom design of software to client specifications is included in the Professional, Scientific, and Technical Services sector. These distinctions arise because of the different ways that software is created, reproduced, and distributed. Music publishers and establishments primarily engaged in the production, or production and distribution, of motion pictures and sound recordings are included in Subsector 512, Motion Picture and Sound Recording Industries. Establishments not engaged in publishing and exclusively obtaining rights from publishers to broadcast and distribute content are included in Subsector 516, Broadcasting and Content Providers. |
| 5131 | Newspaper, Periodical, Book, and Directory Publishers 4-digit industry group | This industry group comprises establishments primarily engaged in publishing newspapers, magazines, other periodicals, books, directories and mailing lists, and other works, such as calendars, greeting cards, and maps. These works are characterized by the intellectual creativity required in their development and are usually protected by copyright. Publishers distribute or arrange for the distribution of these works. Publishing establishments may create the works in-house, or contract for, purchase, or compile works that were originally created by others. These works may be published in one or more formats, such as print and/or electronic form, including proprietary electronic networks or exclusively on the Internet. Establishments in this industry may print, reproduce, or offer direct access to the works themselves or may arrange with others to carry out such functions. Establishments that both print and publish may fill excess capacity with commercial or job printing. However, the publishing activity is still considered to be the primary activity of these establishments. |
| 51313 | Book Publishers 5-digit NAICS industry | See industry description for 513130. |
| 513130 | Book Publishers 6-digit U.S. detail | This industry comprises establishments known as book publishers. Establishments in this industry carry out design, editing, and marketing activities necessary for producing and distributing books. These establishments may publish books in print, electronic, or audio form, including exclusively on the Internet. Illustrative Examples: Atlas publishers Religious book publishers Graphic novel publishers School textbook publishers Encyclopedia publishers Technical manual publishers Map publishers Travel guide book publishers |
Need a supply chain stack that maps to this industry?
Use this NAICS classification as the starting point, then connect it to Item workflows across inventory, warehousing, order management, fulfillment, and transportation.
Classification References
- 01Establishments primarily engaged in printing books without publishing are classified in U.S. Industry 323117, Books Printing;
- 02Establishments known as music publishers are classified in Industry 512230, Music Publishers;
- 03Establishments, such as trade associations, schools and universities, and social welfare organizations, that publish books for distribution to their membership, that are not commonly known as book publishers, are classified according to their primary activity;
- 04Establishments primarily engaged in retailing new books (including downloads) without publishing, including book clubs primarily engaged in direct sales, are classified in Industry 459210, Book Retailers and News Dealers;
- 05Establishments primarily engaged in streaming audio books without publishing are classified in Industry 516210, Media Streaming Distribution Services, Social Networks, and Other Media Networks and Content Providers; and
- 06Establishments primarily engaged as independent authors who act as their own publishers are classified in Industry 711510, Independent Artists, Writers, and Performers.
Index Items
Almanac publishers
Almanac publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Almanac publishers and printing combined
Almanac publishers, exclusively on Internet
Atlas publishers
Atlas publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Atlas publishers and printing combined
Atlas publishers, exclusively on Internet
Book (e.g., hardback, paperback, audio) publishers
Book (e.g., hardback, paperback, audio) publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Book publishers and printing combined
Book publishers, exclusively on Internet
Book publishers, university press
Book publishers, university press (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Dictionary publishers
Dictionary publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Dictionary publishers and printing combined
Dictionary publishers, exclusively on Internet
Encyclopedia publishers
Encyclopedia publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Encyclopedia publishers and printing combined
Encyclopedia publishers, exclusively on Internet
Fiction book publishers
Fiction book publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Fiction book publishers and printing combined
Fiction book publishers, exclusively on Internet
Globe cover publishers
Globe cover publishers and printing combined
Graphic novel publishers
Guide, street map, publishers
Guide, street map, publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Guide, street map, publishers and printing combined
Guide, street map, publishers, exclusively on Internet
Internet book publishers
Map publishers
Map publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Map publishers and printing combined
Map publishers, exclusively on Internet
Nonfiction book publishers
Nonfiction book publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Nonfiction book publishers and printing combined
Nonfiction book publishers, exclusively on Internet
Pamphlet publishers
Pamphlet publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Pamphlet publishers and printing combined
Pamphlet publishers, exclusively on Internet
Professional book publishers
Professional book publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Professional book publishers and printing combined
Professional book publishers, exclusively on Internet
Publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing), book
Publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing), map
Publishers, book
Publishers, book, combined with printing
Publishers, Internet map
Publishers, map
Religious book publishers
Religious book publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Religious book publishers and printing combined
Religious book publishers, exclusively on Internet
School book publishers
School book publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
School book publishers and printing combined
School book publishers, exclusively on Internet
School textbook publishers
School textbook publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
School textbook publishers and printing combined
School textbook publishers, exclusively on Internet
Street map guide publishers
Street map guide publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Street map guide publishers, exclusively on Internet
Technical manual and paperback book publishers
Technical manual and paperback book publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Technical manual and paperback book publishers and printing combined
Technical manual publishers
Technical manual publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Technical manual publishers, exclusively on Internet
Travel guide book publishers
Travel guide book publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
Travel guide book publishers and printing combined
Travel guide book publishers, exclusively on Internet
University press publishers
University press publishers (except exclusive Internet publishing)
University press publishers, exclusively on Internet
How Item Can Help
Data Intelligence tools analyze sales trends across different genres and regions to optimize reordering cycles and reduce stockouts for new releases.
External Resources
Census.gov NAICS Detail
Official US Census Bureau definition and scope for NAICS 513130.
American Booksellers Association
A major industry organization representing book retailers with resources for publishers and buyers.
Library of Congress - Publisher's Portal
The US government's official resource providing data, tools, and resources for the book publishing industry.
Publisher's Marketplace
A comprehensive industry directory offering search tools for finding books and publishers.