Definition

A preferred title access point is used to bring together bibliographic entries for a work when various expressions or manifestations have appeared under different titles. It is also used to provide identification for a work when the title by which it is known differs from the title proper of a particular expression or manifestation, or when different works have identical titles.

Common examples of preferred titles entered directly include:

• Anonymous works
• Composite manuscripts or manuscript groups
• Concordats
• Journals and newspapers
• Motion pictures and videorecordings
• Radio and television programs
• Sacred works
• Treaties and inter-governmental agreements

A preferred title entered under an authorized name access point is contained in field 240 or in subfield ǂt in the field appropriate for the personal name, corporate name, or meeting name. Preferred titles used in phrase subject access points (e.g., Bible in atheism) are contained in field 650.

There is no field 430 which corresponds to fields 130, 630, 730, and 830. See the description of field 490 for series statements.

Refer to Personal Names--General Information for information about personal names in personal name/title access points; refer to Corporate Names--General Information for information about corporate names in corporate name/title access points; refer to Meeting Names--General Information for information about meeting names in meeting name/title access points.

OCLC also makes available nonstandard MARC fields to use for additional access points not supported by cataloging rules (e.g., local subject added entry--uniform title). Enter information in fields 696, 697, 698, 699, 790, 791, 792, 793, 796, 797, 798, 799, 896, 897, 898, or 899 as you would in corresponding standard MARC fields. These fields are not retained in the WorldCat record. However, they are retained in exported records and records delivered via other services.

This page does not cover these fields:

• Abbreviated Titles (field 210)
• Key Titles (field 222)
• Translation of Titles by Cataloging Agency (field 242)
• Title Statements (field 245)
• Varying Form of Titles (field 246)
• Former Titles (field 247)
• Formatted Contents Note Titles (field 505 subfield ǂt)
• Added Entry--Uncontrolled Related/Analytical Titles (field 740)
• Linking Entry Fields (fields 76x-78x)

This page also does not cover the name portion of name/title access points.

For information on punctuation, see the Punctuation section below.

Guidelines and links to guidelines for applying all content designators are given below. A field-specific list of content designators and guidelines for applying the 1st and 2nd indicator positions are provided under the description for fields that contain a preferred title.

For current cataloging, construct preferred titles according to Resource Description and Access (RDA), Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd edition (AACR2), Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH), and Library of Congress/Program for Cooperative Cataloging (LC/PCC) practice. Search the OCLC Authority File to verify forms of authorized access points. Use the current RDA, AACR2, or AACR2-compatible forms of the authorized access points. If an access point is not found, construct it according to RDA or AACR2.

For retrospective cataloging, search the OCLC Authority File to verify forms of authorized access points. Use the current RDA, AACR2, or AACR2-compatible forms of the authorized access points. If an access point is not found, you may enter the pre-RDA form, but you are encouraged to construct the access point according to RDA or AACR2.

For help in coding ambiguous access points, see the Subject Headings Manual, H 405.

The following guidelines are for entering authorized access points for music scores, sound recordings, and music related components of authorized access points for other materials.

• Usually, enter each component of a music authorized access point in a separate subfield. For example, enter nonadjacent multiple iterations of the same type of data (i.e., data that suit the definition of the same subfield) in two subfields.

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Marais, Marin, ǂd 1656-1728. ǂt Pièces de violes, ǂn 4e livre. ǂn 1ère partie. ǂp Suitte, ǂn no. 6. ǂp Matelotte

  Use two subfields for adjacent occurrences of the same type of data that are separated by a period.

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (expression): ǂa Bitti, Martino. ǂt Sonatas, ǂm violin, continuo ǂn (1711). ǂn No. 1; ǂo arranged

  However, enter adjacent occurrences of the same type of data separated with a comma in the same subfield.

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Škerjanc, Lucijan Marija. ǂt Quintets, ǂm violins, violas, cello

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (expression): ǂa Saint-Saëns, Camille, ǂd 1835-1921. ǂt Concertos, ǂm piano, orchestra, ǂn no. 5, op. 103, ǂr F major

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Bridge, Frank, ǂd 1879-1941. ǂt Songs, ǂm viola, piano accompaniment

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (expression): ǂa Beethoven, Ludwig van, ǂd 1770-1827. ǂt Sonatas, ǂm piano, ǂn no. 17, op. 31, no. 2, ǂr D minor

• Enter qualifying information in parentheses in the same subfield as the information it qualifies.

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Granados, Enrique, ǂd 1867-1916. ǂt Goyescas (Opera)

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Bach, Johann Sebastian, ǂd 1685-1750. ǂt O Ewigkeit, du Donnerwort (Cantata), ǂn BWV 60

  700

  1

  2

  Biber, Heinrich Ignaz Franz, ǂd 1644-1704. ǂt Sonatas, ǂm violin, continuo (Bayerische Staatsbibliothek: Mus. Ms. 4123). ǂp Passacaglia

  However, enter parenthetical dates used as numbers in separate subfields if the date is not adjacent to another number element.

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (expression): ǂa Finnissy, Michael. ǂt Concertos, ǂm piano, instrumental ensemble ǂn (1976)

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (expression): ǂa Röntgen, Julius, ǂd 1855-1932. ǂt Symphonies, ǂr C minor ǂn (1928)

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (expression): ǂa Britten, Benjamin, ǂd 1913-1976. ǂt Folk song arrangements ǂn (1943-1961), v. 3 ǂp O waly, waly

• Enter titles of excerpts and components as if they were names of parts.

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Verdi, Giuseppe, ǂd 1813-1901. ǂt Aïda. ǂp Celeste Aïda

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Wagner, Richard, ǂd 1813-1883. ǂt Rienzi. ǂp Ouvertüre

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Zemlinsky, Alexander, ǂd 1871-1942. ǂt König Kandaules. ǂn 3. Akt. ǂp Vorspiel

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Kalinnikov, Vasiliĭ, ǂd 1866-1901. ǂt Symphonies, ǂn no. 1, ǂr G minor. ǂp Andante commodamente

  700

  1

  2

  Buechner, Margaret. ǂt Phantomgreen. ǂp Suite, ǂn no. 1

• Enter the following types of data as if they were numbers of parts: (1) numbers used to distinguish excerpts, (2) designations such as book, livre, collection, Theil, volume, etc.

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Brahms, Johannes, ǂd 1833-1897. ǂt Ungarische Tänze. ǂn Nr. 5

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Schütz, Heinrich, ǂd 1585-1672. ǂt Symphoniae sacrae, ǂn 3 pars. ǂp Komm, heiliger Geist, Herre Gott

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Bach, Johann Sebastian, ǂd 1685-1750. ǂt Wohltemperierte Klavier, ǂn 1. T. ǂn Nr. 24. ǂp Fuga

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Telemann, Georg Philipp, ǂd 1681-1767. ǂt Musique de table. ǂn 2e production. ǂp Concert

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Marenzio, Luca, ǂd 1553-1599. ǂt Madrigals, ǂm voices (4-6), ǂn book 1. ǂp Fuggito è 'l sonno

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Certon, Pierre, ǂd -1572. ǂt Chansons, ǂn 1. livre

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Griebling, Karen. ǂt Petroglyph dances, ǂn series 2

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Moór, Emanuel, ǂd 1863-1931. ǂt Mélodies, ǂn 4e recueil, op. 118

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Humet, Ramón, ǂd 1968- ǂt Escenes del bosc, ǂn 3r quadern

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Liszt, Franz, ǂd 1811-1886. ǂt Années de pèlerinage, ǂn 3e année

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Strauss, Richard, ǂd 1864-1949. ǂt Lieder, ǂn op. 67. ǂn Heft 1

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (work): ǂa Moretti, Federico, ǂd -1838. ǂt Canciones, ǂm guitar accompaniment, ǂn 1. colección. ǂk Selections

• Enter the following subheadings (used for various versions of works in the larger vocal forms) as version statements: Chorus score, Libretto, Text, Texts, Vocal score.

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (expression): ǂa Berlioz, Hector, ǂd 1803-1869. ǂt Troyens. ǂs Libretto. ǂl English

  700

  1

  2

  ǂi Container of (expression): ǂa Auber, D. F. E. ǂq (Daniel François Esprit), ǂd 1782-1871. ǂt Muette de Portici. ǂs Vocal score. ǂk Selections. ǂl English

Fields 130 and 240 are used in AACR2 and RDA cataloging for serial preferred titles. Use these fields to differentiate items published under identical titles proper. Construct the preferred title according to cataloging instructions. The preferred title generally consists of the title proper followed by a qualifier enclosed in parentheses. The qualifier is usually the place of publication/distribution or name of the issuing body.

If the place used as a qualifier changes (e.g., either the name of the place changes or the place of publication changes), do not change the preferred title. Continue to use the existing record. Enter the appropriate information in a note.

If the issuing-body used as a qualifier changes (e.g., either the name of the body changes or that body ceases to be associated with the work), create a new record with a new preferred title. See RDA 6.2.2.9 for guidelines about the choice of qualifier.

If constructing preferred titles or name/title access points according to pre-RDA instructions, make the following modifications:

• Use arranged instead of arr.
• Use accompaniment instead of acc.
• Use unaccompanied instead of unacc.
• Use cello instead of violoncello
• Use Department instead of Dept. in corporate name qualifiers based on usage
• Use Old Testament instead of O.T., except omit Old Testament when followed by a named part
• Use New Testament instead of N.T., except omit New Testament when followed by a named part
• Use Qurʼan instead of Koran
• Use Works. Selections instead of Selections for a collection of various works by a creator
• Spell out the names of months in cataloger-supplied elements

Do not use Polyglot or more than one language in subfield ǂl. Construct separate access points for each language if the information is readily available.

1st Indicator

The definition of the 1st indicator position is specific to each field.

Nonfiling characters. The number of character positions associated with a definite or indefinite article (e.g., An or The) at the beginning of a title and that are disregarded in sorting and filing processes.

Uniform title printed or displayed. Controls printing or display.

Undefined. The 1st indicator position is undefined and contains a blank.

2nd Indicator

The definition of the 2nd indicator position is specific to each field.

Undefined. The 2nd indicator position is undefined and contains a blank.

Nonfiling characters. The number of character positions associated with a definite or indefinite article (e.g., An or The) at the beginning of a title and that are disregarded in sorting and filing processes.

Thesaurus. The thesaurus or established subject terminology used in constructing the subject access point. For more information about subject access points, see 6xx Introduction.

Type of added entry. The values distinguish between no information provided and an analytical entry. These indicators could be used to facilitate card filing arrangements.

Subfields

Punctuation

Do not enter brackets around the text of the preferred title. All fields containing a preferred title, except fields 240 and 243, may optionally end with terminal punctuation. Terminal punctuation consists of one of the following: ellipsis, hyphen, period, closing parenthesis, exclamation point, and question mark. Currently, the control heading process adds terminal periods to access points. If the final subfields are subfield ǂ0, ǂ1, ǂ2, ǂ3, ǂ4, ǂ5, ǂx (containing an ISSN), or ǂw, the terminal punctuation precedes the first instance of those subfields. If the final subfield is ǂe, add a comma after the access point unless the access point ends with an open date. When a preferred title ends with a quotation mark, the terminal punctuation is placed before the quotation mark.

In the case of a preferred title input as a subject access point and followed by a subject subdivision, omit the terminal punctuation following the preferred title unless the preferred title ends with an abbreviation or initial/letter. See also 6xx Introduction for specific subject access point guidelines.

Also apply the following:

Additional elements:

• Precede a designation and/or title for part of a work by a period and a space
• Precede the name of a language or content type by a period and a space
• Precede the conventional collective title Selections by a period and a space
• Enclose the year of promulgation of a law, etc., or date of a treaty in parentheses
• Precede the name of the version, the alternative designation for the version, or the year of publication of a sacred scripture by a period and a space

Conflict resolution:

• Enclose a word, phrase, date, or other designation used for conflict resolution in parentheses
• Separate a word, phrase, date, or other designation used for conflict resolution from another word, phrase, date, or other designation also used for conflict resolution by a space, colon, space

Music:

• Precede the medium of performance, the number of hands, or key for music by a comma and a space
• Precede a numeric identifying element or other identifying elements for music by a comma and a space
• Enclose the number of parts or players in parentheses
• Enclose a descriptive word or phrase for music in parentheses
• Enclose the term Sketches in parentheses
• Precede the terms Libretto, Text, Vocal score, and Chorus score by a period and a space
• Precede the name of the language of a vocal musical work by a period and a space
• Precede the term arranged by a semicolon and a space

For more information on punctuation, including OCLC policy, see section 2.8, Punctuation.

Indexing

For indexing and searching information, see Searching WorldCat Indexes for fields: 130, 240, 243, 600, 610, 611, 630, 700, 710, 711, 730, 800, 810, 811, 830.

MARC 21

For more information, including content designator history, see MARC 21 Format for Bibliographic Data, x30.