Title Proper (245a,n,p)

Is the default preferred title and authorize access point of the resource and the only element that must be recorded. The title proper is mostly represented MARC Field 245, subfield $a but occasionally represented in subfields $a, $n, and ($p), but not subfield b. ($b). Clear errors & inaccuracies (spelling, etc.) found in the preferred source are corrected in transcribing the title proper and an acronym or initialism is recorded as the title proper only when it is the only title found on the preferred source.

⮚Source of Information

Record the title proper from the preferred source of information (RDA 2.3.2.2) as described in CCM Module 3. If there is no title provided within the manifestation itself, take a title proper from one of the sources specified in RDA 2.2.4. (CCM: 6.1.1)

Base the identification of the resource on the lowest numbered issue or part available; ideally this would be the first issue of the serial. If you do not have the first issue, base the description on the earliest issue in hand and record the designation of that issue in a “Description based on" note (MARC 21 field 588) (RDA 2.20.13.3).

⮚Determining and Transcribing the Title Proper

Occasionally, several representations of the title proper may exists in which case the following should be considered.    

Names and words that appear on the same line as the title are generally transcribed as part of the title.

For the name of a person, corporate body, or another serial that appears above the title as part of the title proper, consider first whether the name is grammatically linked to the title.

Names of bodies, persons, or other publications that are not grammatically linked may be transcribed in or omitted from the title proper, depending on the nature of the name, its proximity to the title, and the presentation of the title in other sources.

⮚Capitalization. CONSER practice is to record the title as it appears on the source of information following the cataloging convention regarding capitalization applicable to the language involved.

245 00 $a Clinical and experimental hypertension. $n Part B, $p Hypertension in pregnancy.

245 00 $a Supplement to The journal of the Friends Historical Society.

245 00 $a Farm chemicals and crop life.

⮚Acronyms and Initialisms. When an acronym or initialism appears on the preferred source in addition to the spelled out or "full form" of the title, use the full form as the title proper and record the acronym or initialism as Variant Titles. (CCM: 6.1.4d)

245 00 $a Literary marketplace : $b LMP.

246 3# $a LMP

If, however, the full form and initialism do not appear on the same source, the one appearing on the preferred source is the title proper and the one appearing on another source is given as a note (MARC Field 246); do not record (MARC Field 245, subfield b) as other title information. (CCM: 6.1.4d)

On the Piece: TDR; On Spine: The Drama Review

Record as:

245 00 $a TDR.

246 18 $a Drama review

⮚Omissions.

CONSER instructed practice is to omit information that is specific to one or several issues. Such information includes designations (i.e., numbers or dates) that vary from issue to issue and names of persons that are likely to change on a frequent basis. (CCM: 6.1.7)

If the piece has: 1989 Report of the Statistical Reporting Service, then RRecord as:

245 10 $a ... report of the Statistical Reporting Service.

If the piece has: Annual report for the fiscal year 1 July 1990 through 30 June 1991

Record as:

245 10 $a Annual report for the fiscal year ...

515 ## $a Report covers fiscal year ending June 30.

⮚Errors and inaccuracies. If obvious typographic errors appear in the title as given on the preferred source of information, give the corrected form in the title proper (This is an exception to RDA 2.3.1.4) and make a note (246) recording the title as it appears in the source of information or, if considered important for access record the uncorrected title as a variant access point. (CCM: 6.1.3c) 

245 00 $a World report.

246 1# $i  Misspelled title on is for 1988: $a Wrold report