2XX
Title and title-related fields; Edition, imprint, etc. fields
240 Uniform title (NR)
Use this field to record a uniform title, for example when a work is popularly known by another title or for some works in translation.
Indicators
The first indicator changes depending on if there is a 1XX field present. It should be 1 if there is a creator in a 1XX and 0 if not and the title forms the main entry.
The second indicator shows the number of nonfiling characters, i.e. the letters in definite or indefinite articles at the beginning of a title such as The, A, An, Le, La, Les, De, Die, etc. and the space after them. The = 4, A = 2, Le = 3 etc. This is also called the "skip".
Construction
Subfields |f, |k and |l can be used to add a date, form subdivision or language of translation.
242 Translation of title by cataloguing agency (R)
Use this field to provide a translation of the title if one isn't available within the resource.
Indicators
Indicators follow the same conventions as 240.
Construction
Use |y to add the language of the translation. Take the language code from the MARC list of language codes.
You only need to include the statement of responsibility if it is different translated than in the 245.
245 Title statement (NR)
Use for the preferred title, add alternative titles in the 246.
For pamphlets, zines and artists' books follow guidelines for books (but consider visual for the latter if necessary).
Indicators
Indicators follow the same conventions as 240.
Construction
Use |b for subtitles and |c for the statement of responsibility. See OCLC BibFormats for further subfields.
Always end the field with a full-stop.
Take the title of the work from the title page or, if there is no title page, the cover, spine or colophon.
Transcribe the title as written. Only use capitals for the first word or any proper nouns. The exceptions are if the title is given all in lowercase by an artist or on the item or languages where capitals for certain words (e.g. German).
Only include a statement of responsibility in |c if exists, and transcribe names and accompanying information such as titles, job titles and qualifications as written on the item but leave out sub-text such where a person works.
If you have an important subtitle or part, or a parallel title add this to a 246.
This is the title or name given to an object, where this is not available a brief description is used.
There are three types of title for visual material:
Given title
This is the title for an object, or collective title for a group of objects, assigned by the creator or another authoritative source. Transcribe this title in 245.
Inscribed title
This is a title taken from an inscription, text or caption on the object or group of objects. Transcribe the title from the object. If the title is preceded or followed by other elements of information, then include these elsewhere if relevant. Do not transcribe words that serve as an introduction or not intended as part of the title.
If there are multiple options for a title on the object; use cataloguer's judgement to select one as the preferred title. Record the other options as alternative titles if considered necessary.
If the title elements are scattered over the artwork compose a title based on those elements. If the elements could be ordered differently, then provide an alternative title based on that order in 246 if it is felt important.
Descriptive title
If the item has no Given or Inscribed title the cataloguer should devise a brief Descriptive title. This will be a short description of the subject matter of the object, details of what to include are outlined in the Metadata Framework.
Recording multiple titles
For single items from a multipart object being catalogued individually (i.e. a bibliographic record for each part), do not use a series title as the title, use the part or section title of the item being described as the title proper. The series title can be entered in 490/830 as appropriate.
For single objects featuring multiple independent images, record the titles in the order they appear if they are by the same person or body. Precede each title other than the first by space-semicolon-space. For items by different persons or bodies, or without shared statements of responsibility, list the titles in the order they appear. Precede each title other than the first by a period and one space, unless a link word is present.
If the collective titles are too numerous provide a collective descriptive title.
Always include a note on the source of the title. See 500 for examples
Amending preferred titles
If an existing title is incorrect, insufficient, or offensive, move the existing title to a new 246 field and create a new preferred title for the 245 field.
If the only amendment being made is to remove the format and creation date, and this information is available elsewhere in the record, there is no need to add a 246 16 Previous title entry.
Based on minimum viable record creation for inventory.
Unlike a book, there is no set title page or layout, so you may need to create a title from information across the item. The key is to make the item as identifiable as possible through the data.
Title from text/lettering on item
Aim to mainly use lettering rather than descriptive - leave any extent e.g. newspaper cutting to the 300 field
All records require a title in |a. The key is to allow for clear identification so always try and use the text which is on the item.
Multiple people/institutions responsible for an item are separated by spaces and semi-colons in |c.
For items with limited text, or a title which is less obvious, it may be best to add a 520 description field to provide more information.
To make a clearer title, you can omit certain parts of the lettering using a mark of omission. This will be a space ... space. DCRMR guidelines.
Descriptive title
If there is limited or no lettering on the items, you can create a descriptive title - like visual material. Here you would use square brackets as you would not be following the actual lettering on the object.
Do not use square brackets unless you are providing conjectured dates/places of publication etc or creating a descriptive title.
Multiple separate titles on a single item
If there are multiple separate titles on a single item e.g. when 3 newspaper cutting have been pasted on a single sheet, add them all to the 245, separated by colons and spaces.
If you have time, add alternative titles to repeatable 246 fields.
Use the 300 field to provide the extent, i.e. 3 newspaper cuttings mounted on 1 sheet.
See also, Best practice for inscribed/descriptive title construction.
Preferred title source: Transcribe the title and main production credits from the frames usually in the opening credits.
Apply ISBD punctuation rules to titles transcribed from on-screen graphics. Secondary title source: Use information written on containers and reference materials.
Other title source: For creating titles for untitled or unidentified entities see FIAF A.2.5 Supplied/Devised Titles.
Always add a 500 note to record the title source if it is not the preferred source.
Content that is part of a series/serial should have both the episode title in the 245 and a series/serial title in 490/830.
246 Varying form of title (R)
Use this field to record variations in title printed on the item, such as a cover or spine title, or for spelling alternatives that might be searched for.
Indicators
The first indicator changes depending on whether a note and/or added entry is generated. See OCLC for more details.
The second indicator shows the source of the variant title. The most common are 1 for a parallel title (title in another language), 4 for cover title, 8 for spine title and 3 for other titles not covered by any other indicator. See OCLC for full list of indicators.
Construction
You can use |f for dates or volume/issue numbers that aren't recorded in 245.
You can use |i to create a display note preceding the title. If |i is present, the second indicator should be blank.
You only need to include the subtitle if this differs from what is recorded in 245.
Field does not end in a full stop.
Use this field to record additional titles by which an object is known.
Indicators
The first indicator changes depending on whether a note and/or added entry is generated. For visual material it is usually 1 (note, added entry).
The second indicator indicates the type of title. For previous titles, it should be blank. Other common indicators are 1 for a parallel title (title in another language) and 3 for other title.
Legacy records use 246 16 to record all (or most) text on an object, including statements of responsibility, publishing details, and annotations. It displays as Lettering on wellcomecollection.org. For new and edited records, all lettering should be recorded in 514.
Construction
You can use |i to create a display note preceding the title. If |i is present, the second indicator should be blank. This should always be used when recording previous titles, along with |5 to specify our institution.
250 Edition statement (R)
Transcribe the edition statement as written in the item. Don't abbreviate unless abbreviated in the item.
Add a full stop at the end of the field unless the last subfield ends with an ellipsis or full stop.
You can use /|b for statements of responsibility that only apply to the edition statement.
Always end the field with a full stop, even if one is already being used in an abbreviation.
With graphic materials ‘edition’ is used to indicate a print run and is recorded in a note. For prints the term ‘state’ is used in place of ‘edition’ and is used to describe identical impressions printed from the same unchanged printing plate, block, or stone (the matrix).
Use 250 to distinguish manifestations that appear identical in other areas of the description. It is useful for supplying text to differentiate states that differ only in graphic rather than textual content. Don’t use to record differences between impressions that do not involve a change in the matrix.
Transcribe any statement related to state, only using abbreviations if used in the source.
If you are recording state information from a source other than the item or describing changes in the matrix, use square brackets and include a note on the source in a 500.
Consider adding a comprehension statement in brackets when not transcribing from the item (i.e. from the author's website/artist statement)
260 Publication, distribution, etc.
This is a legacy field that might come through in records imported from OCLC or be in existing records in Sierra. This should be converted to a 264 for all new cataloguing.
If editing legacy book or journal records, convert the 260 to a 264 following the instructions below.
If editing legacy visual & material culture or ephemera records, the publication details can be left in a 260.
264 Production, publication, distribution, manufacture, and copyright notice (R)
Use this field to record the publisher, distributor, printer or other production information and the copyright date if available.
Relates to the Date Type and Date One and Date Two coded fields in the Leader/008.
If multiple types of information are available (e.g. production and publication), repeat the field to capture all the details.
If you only have a copyright date, assume this as the published date:
264 1[2003]
264 4|c©2003
Known dates
Transcribe date(s) as they appear on the object. For known dates where the date does not appear on the item, include in square brackets.
Unknown, ambiguous and approximate dates
If the date is not known it can be estimated. Include such dates in square brackets and follow with ? or use approximately. If an estimated date can only be placed within a range, then include the earliest and latest dates in square brackets.
For a resource to help with estimating date ranges, see: https://app.gitbook.com/o/-LumfFcEMKx4gYXKAZTQ/s/3Zq2AtzySU4UGEk3HA5y/appendix/dating-epb-eph-items
If you are unable to estimate a date, state this in square brackets.
Unpublished Material
Includes drawings, paintings, photographs, 3D objects
For unpublished material the 264 field only requires place and date (of creation)
Where a transcribed date could be misread, follow the transcription with the date spelt out clearly, in square brackets. For detailed dates follow the convention date-month-year, or month-year.
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