Home → Cataloging in NC Cardinal → Item Cataloging → Wonderbooks and VOX Audio-Enabled Books
Last Updated 05/16/2025
Audio-enabled books include Wonderbooks and VOX Books. When cataloging these materials, catalogers should follow the same guidelines for cataloging standard books. However, there are a few key differences that are worth noting, and these will be discussed below. Some of these are included in the template for audio-enabled books, but they are being outlined here, as well, for ease of use.
This information is important to include, because it helps prevent audio-enabled books from being accidentally matched and merged with their standard version book counterparts.
Records for audio-enabled books use two format icons, Book and Preloaded Audio. The necessary criteria for adding these two format icons is a little different than for other format icons, as these take one of two possible =3XX MARC fields into consideration, the =336 content type field and the =337 media type field. As described here, the =LDR field should have an Item Type value of a or t, and a Bib Level value of a, c, d, or m. The Item Form should be left blank. This will give the record a Book format icon.
For example:
=LDR 02529cam a2200601 i 4500
In addition, as noted above, the record must have either a =336 content type field or a =337 media type field with specific information (illustrated below) in order for the Preloaded Audio format icon to be added to the record.
The =336 field must have a subfield $a with "spoken word" recorded in it. The =337 field must have a subfield $a with "audio" recorded in it. You do not need to have both of these =3XX fields in the record, just one or the other, to get the Preloaded Audio format icon to appear.
For example:
=336 \\$aspoken word$bspw$2rdacontent
=337 \\$aaudio$bs$2rdamedia
Note: Though you do not need to have both =336\\$aspoken word$bspw$2rdacontent and =337\\$aaudio$bs$2rdamedia in a record to make the Preloaded Audio format icon appear, it is considered best practice to include both with the other =3XX fields that appear in the record so all relevant =3XX fields are present (as seen below):
=336 \\$aspoken word$bspw$2rdacontent
=336 \\$atext$btxt$2rdacontent
=337 \\$aaudio$bs$2rdamedia
=337 \\$aunmediated$bn$2rdamedia
=338 \\$aother$2rdacarrier
=338 \\$avolume$bnc$2rdacarrier
A =006 field is not necessary in a record for VOX Books or Wonderbooks and, if present, may even prevent the format icons from appearing correctly (or at all) under certain circumstances. If you encounter a record for a VOX Book or Wonderbook that meets the =LDR and =3XX field criteria as outlined above but still does not have the correct format icons (or there are no format icons period), you will want to look at the value in the sixth position in the =006 field.
Important Reminder: When counting positions in the =006 field, the first position is considered 0, not 1. So in the following example, value q is in the sixth position, despite being the seventh character in the string.
=006 m\\\\cq\\h\\\\\\\\
If the value in the sixth position of the =006 field is "q," as in the example above, the format icons will not appear. To correct this, you have a few options:
So the example =006 field above would instead look like the following if you chose to replace "q" with "\":
=006 m\\\\c\\\h\\\\\\\\
As explained here, audio-enabled books such as VOX Books and Wonderbooks often share the same ISBN with the standard versions of their respective books, because the audio device is simply attached to an existing printed copy of the book with no changes made to the actual book itself. As a result, the ISBN will remain the same for both versions of the book. In such situations it is recommended that the ISBN for the audio-enabled book be listed in the =020$z.
(If, however, the ISBN for the audio-enabled book is different from the ISBN for the standard version of the book, then the ISBN should go in the =020$a.)
A subfield $q can be added to the =020 ISBN field to help specify what type of audio-enabled book the item is.
For example:
=020 \\$a9781948381017$q(vox)
=020 \\$a9798822684713$q(Wonderbook)
When cataloging an audio-enabled book, be sure to include the GMD $h[audio-enabled device] in the =245 title field.
For example:
=245 10$aWhat the dinosaurs did last night$h[audio-enabled device] :$ba very messy adventure /$cRefe & Susan Tuma.
When cataloging an audio-enabled book, include a =250 edition statement specifying what type of audio-enabled book it is.
For example:
=250 \\$aVOX audio-enabled book.
=250 \\$aWonderbook.
In addition to the standard information contained in subfields $a, $b, and $c of the =300 physical description field, you will want to add a subfield $e with "1 attached audio media player" included.
For example:
=300 \\$a1 volume (unnumbered pages) :$bcolor illustrations ;$c29 cm +$e1 attached audio media player
When cataloging an audio-enabled book, it is helpful to include one or more of the following general note fields. Which statement (or statements) you choose to add may depend on whether you are cataloging a Wonderbook or a VOX Book.
=500 \\$aBook originally published: [Location : Publisher, Date].
=500 \\$aIssued as a Wonderbook [substitute VOX as necessary], a pre-loaded audiobook player permanently attached to a hardcover book.
=500 \\$a"The permanently attached VOX Reader transforms an ordinary print book into an all-in-one read-along. There's no need for computers, tablets or CDs. Children simply push a button to listen and read"--Publisher's website.
=500 \\$aVOX Audio playback device includes headphone jack, external speaker, play/pause button, volume controls, page-turning controls, rechargeable battery, low battery indicator, and removable AC adapter.
=500 \\$aVOX player is an electronic read-a-long device permanently attached to the book.
=500 \\$aPowered by a rechargeable battery ; USB charger required for recharging.
=500 \\$aVOX audio playback device includes headphone jack, external speaker, play/pause button, volume controls, page-turning controls, rechargeable battery, and low battery indicator.
=500 \\$aIncludes electronic read-a-long device.
=500 \\$aPowered by a rechargeable battery ; USB charger required for recharging.
=500 \\$aWonderbook has 2 modes. Read-along mode narrates the story. Learning mode asks questions related to the story.
If the audio-enabled book is intended for children, use the following genre heading:
=655 \7$aChildren's sound recordings.
If it is intended for any other audience, use the following genre heading:
=655 \7$aSound recordings.