Libreon Content Ratings (LCR) (1.0)
To address the limitations and confusion around conventional book categories like "Young-Adult" or "Adult," as well as the ever-sprawling disarray of genres, Libreon offers open-source, modern, and user-friendly content rating and guide systems. We aim to provide clear and objective information about a book's content, helping readers make informed decisions by removing the confusion plaguing current book categorization methods.
Libreon Content Rating (LCR) is an open-source system for rating book content; see the section "Copyright and License" below for more details.
This system is specifically focused on content that may be considered objectionable to consumers and is supplemented by the Libreon Content Guide (LCG) to describe other content features. The Libreon Content Rating system aims to inform, not judge. It is designed with a few principles in mind, including avoiding confusion with other rating systems used worldwide and adding details specifically for books and other printed materials such as graphic novels and comics.
A review board is forming to help guide this system in the future as it's adopted at libraries and other organizations (more info to come).
LCR has two facets: Rating and Qualifiers. Rating is the overall Rating (such as K for Children). Qualifiers are specifically for objectionable content; if a qualifier is not specified, the objectionable content does not exist. The resulting list of Qualifiers is then used to determine the overall Rating (the highest rating of the list is the overall rating).
Ratings
Suitable for Children
Does not contain material of a sexual or romantic nature, objectionable or suggestive themes, nor violent material, although it may contain minimal cartoon or fantasy violence.
Suitable for Youth
Contains mild fantasy or other violence, mild language, and/or
minimal objectional or suggestive themes. Typically this category starts around 8 years of age.
Suitable for Teenagers
Contains some violence, suggestive themes, crude humor,
and/or, infrequent use of strong language. Typically this category starts around 13 years of age.
Suitable for Adults
Contains intense violence, blood/gore, strong language, sexuality, and/or strong language. Typically this category starts around 18 years of age.
Explicit Adult Content
Contains explicit sexuality, nudity, eroticism, abuse, bigotry, extreme violence/gore, sexual violence, and/or other objectionable content.
Qualifiers
Qualifiers focus on objectionable behaviors and references, such as those typically concerning in nature. If a qualifier is NOT included, the behaviors/references in question are absent from the content.
Each qualifier is listed with the lowest Rating in which it may be included (such as [T] for Teen). Where qualifiers encompass a simpler qualifier, only the most severe qualifier needs to be included. When considering the Rating, it must be equal to the highest age category of any content Qualifiers (for example, if the content contains a variety of G and T qualifiers but has one M qualifier, then the Rating must be M).
Substances
Alcohol/Tobacco References
Alcohol or Tobacco are referenced or depicted, but not used.
Alcohol/Tobacco Use
Alcohol or Tobacco are used. Includes the Alcohol/Tobacco References qualifier.
Illegal Drug References
Illegal drugs are referenced or depicted, but not used.
Illegal Drug Use
Illegal drugs are used. Includes the Illegal Drug References qualifier.
Violence
Depictions or actions involving human or non-human characters, or targets
which could be perceived as such.
Slapstick Violence
Violence which does not result in harm to the intended target (such as cartoon violence).
Violent Themes
References to Violent acts, even if not directly depicted. Includes the Slapstick Violence qualifier.
Fantasy Violence
Violence in situations easily distinguishable from real life. Includes the Violent Themes qualifier.
Violence
Depictions involving aggressive conflict which results in human injury or death. May contain mild depictions of the result, without extended explanations of gore. Includes the Violent Themes qualifier.
Intense Violence
Depictions involving graphic violence and conflict which includes some blood, gore, and human injury and death. Includes the Mild or Fantasy Violence qualifiers.
Extreme Violence
Depictions involving graphic violence with explicit or prolonged depictions of blood, gore, and human injury and death. Includes the Intense Violence qualifier.
Sexual Violence
Rape or other violent sexuality.
Language
Each Language qualifier includes the lower level, so only one need be specified.
Novel Swearing
Use of new or simple swear words or curses but no profanity or vulgarity.
Mild Language
Mild to moderate use of profanity and swearing, but no use of vulgar words
referencing sex, genitalia, or sexual acts.
Strong Language
Explicit and/or frequent use of profanity, swearing, and vulgarity.
Behavior and Themes
Mischief
Slapstick humor or inappropriate activities ("breaking rules"). Not required if the rating is higher than Youth.
Crude Humor
Situations or dialogue involving vulgar antics such as "bathroom humor."
Addictive Themes
Occasional references to addictive behaviors such as Gambling.
Gambling
Frequent depictions of Gambling.
Suicide Themes
Situations or dialogue involving suicide, but as a secondary part of the story.
Suicide
Obscene Suicide
Bigotry
Depictions or references to prejudice against a person or people on the
basis of their membership of a particular group (including Gender and Race).
Bigotry
Obscene Bigotry
Abuse
Mental, Physical, Sexual or other abuse of a person, including Slavery.
Abuse Themes
Abuse
Obscene Abuse
Nudity
Depictions of genitals or female breasts.
Mild Nudity
References to genitals, or depictions of bare buttocks or female breasts.
Mature Nudity
Non-erotic depictions of genitals, such as for medical or artistic purposes. Includes the Mild Nudity qualifier.
Explicit Nudity
Erotic depictions of genitals.
Romance
Non-sexual themes or depictions exploring the human connection, love, and romance. Notably, this depicts or discusses individuals in a relationship rather than showing the behavior of sexuality in that relationship. Heterosexual relationships are implied unless the Non-Hetero qualifier is added. Use the Content Guide for further details around sexuality.
Romance Themes
Relationships between individuals are referenced, insinuated, or discussed.
Romance
Relationships between individuals are depicted but not as a central part of the story. Includes the Romance Themes qualifier.
Strong Romance
Relationships between individuals are depicted as a central part of the story. Includes the Romance qualifier.
Non-Hetero
The Romance is Non-Heterosexual (LGBTQ*). This is added as a prefix to the Romance qualifier.
Sexuality
Sexual behavior, activity, and identity.
Heterosexual relationships are implied, unless the Non-Hetero qualifier is added. Use the Content Guide for further details around sexuality.
Gender Identity Themes
Gender Identity is referenced, insinuated, or discussed.
Gender Identity
Gender Identity a central part of the story.
Suggestive Themes
Mild provocative sexual references, for humor or otherwise.
Sexual Themes
Suggestions or References to sexual behavior or sexuality.
Mild Sexual Content
Suggestions of sexual behavior or activity, including kissing and
Non-explicit romantic actions, such as touching an ear. Includes the Suggestive and Sexual themes qualifiers.
Non-Hetero
The Sexual Themes, Content, or Behavior is Non-Heterosexual (LGBTQ*).
Sexual Content
Non-Explicit sexual behavior or activity, including heavy petting. Includes the Mild Sexual Content, Sexual Themes, and Suggestive Themes qualifiers.
Mature Themes
Situations or dialogue involving sexual references and sexuality, for humor or otherwise. Includes the Sexual Themes and Suggestive Themes qualifiers.
Erotic Themes
Suggestions or References to sex or sexuality for the purpose of eroticism.
Erotic
Depictions, themes, or activity intented to to arouse sexual desire or excitement. Includes the Erotic Themes qualifier.
Explicit Sex
Explicit sexual behavior or activity. Includes the Sexual Content qualifier.
Footnotes
† Where a qualifier references a negative context, it means the depictions are portrayed as inappropriate, reprehensible, or ethically disturbing.
How to Use
Subject to the terms of the Copyright and License, you may use the LCR in the
following manner.
Calculating a Rating
Calculating a rating is a simple process. Review all the qualifiers and include any that are applicable. The resulting list is included in the Rating Box. Each qualifier comes with a Rating — whichever is the highest is the overall rating for that content.
Typically, when listing a Rating, do it with the
Rating Box.
Where styling is specified, it's described in CSS terms, but any equivalent styling may be used.
Full styles may be explored in the LCR CSS Style Sheet.
EB Garamond.
Rating Letter Badge
The simple letter Rating Badge with no qualifiers is appropriate for use on front covers but should be accompanied on the back cover with a full rating box, including qualifiers. The Rating Badge should not be used without either a link to the Rating Box online, or the Rating Box on the back cover.
The Rating Badge includes the letter rating with a heading for the rating name and a footer for the label "Libreon." Borders are 1rem, character size is 4rem, and the heading and footer are 0.5rem. The corner radius is 0.5rem. The preferred print size is 25mm wide, but it may be 20mm; and the height is squared, or extended to match the height of the full Rating Box (if connected to a Rating Box). Example:
Rating Box
The Rating Box shows the Rating Letter Badge and Qualifiers. The Rating Box is formatted as normal, except the box radius is only on the left side. To the right of the box is an extended box, which includes the Rating summary in bold font, below which the qualifiers are listed. This box may be sized to best use the available space. Example:
Suitable for Teenagers
Contains Fantasy Violence, Mild Language, Suggestive Humor, and Bigotry.
Rating Colors
Ratings may be printed in black on white or with a color matching the rating (optional).
Color variations may be made as long as they remain similar to the following RGB values:
- all: #19A974
- youth: #357EDD
- teen: #5E2CA5
- mature: #FFB700
- explicit: #FF4136
(Dark background: TBD Future).
Return link
If used in content supporting URL linking (web browser, ePub, etc), the Rating Box and/or Rating Box should include a link back to this page.
CSS Styles
Examples of using these in HTML are available using the
LCR CSS Style Sheet (note: they must be wrapped in a container with the
.libreon class).
Badge/Box Generator
Coming Soon...
Copyright and License
Libreon, Libreon Content Rating (LCR), and Libreon Content Guide (LCG) are copyright © and Trademark 2023 Protos, LLC.
LCR and LCG are open-source rating systems. Permission is hereby granted, free of charge, to any person or entity to
use the Libreon Content Rating system without restriction, in perpetuity,
irrevocably, subject to the following conditions:
- "Trade Dress" and the requirements for presentation and look and feel are preserved.
- Definitions of Ratings, Qualifiers, and Feature Labels remain unaltered.
USE OF LCR IS PROVIDED “AS IS”, WITHOUT WARRANTY OF ANY KIND, EXPRESS OR IMPLIED,
INCLUDING BUT NOT LIMITED TO THE WARRANTIES OF MERCHANTABILITY, FITNESS FOR A
PARTICULAR PURPOSE AND NONINFRINGEMENT. IN NO EVENT SHALL THE AUTHORS OR
COPYRIGHT HOLDERS BE LIABLE FOR ANY CLAIM, DAMAGES OR OTHER LIABILITY, WHETHER
IN AN ACTION OF CONTRACT, TORT OR OTHERWISE, ARISING FROM, OUT OF OR IN
CONNECTION WITH THE LCR OR THE USE OR OTHER DEALINGS IN THE LCR.
Libreon © 2023, ™ Protos, LLC