246 Varying Form of Title (R) (Variable Data Fields)
First indicator - -Note controller/Title added entry:
The first indicator regulates the generation on output of a note and/or added entry. Cataloging rules and CONSER policy (Cf. AACR2 rule 21.30J and corresponding LCRI) will in most cases, determine whether or not an added entry should be made.
2 No note, no title added entry
Second indicator- -Type of title:
The second indicator specifies the type of title records in field 246. It is used to generate a display constant that generally precedes titles when notes are generated from this field , i.e., when the first indicator is set to a value other than 0 or 1. Example:
1 Parallel title (title in another language)
Instructions in field 245 for subfields $a, $b, $n, and $p apply also to variant titles input in field 246. Input subfields in the following order: $i, $a, $n, $p, $b, $g, $f
a Title proper/Short title (NR)
b Remainder of title (NR)
f Designation of volume and issue number and/or date of a work (NR)
g Miscellaneous information (NR)
h Medium (NR)
i Display text (NR)
n Number of part/section of a work (R) Example:
p Name of part/section of a work (R) Example:
5 Institution to which field applies
6 Linkage (NR)
Description/Instructions:
Field 246 is used to record varying forms of the title appearing on different parts of the serial, portions of the title proper, or alternative forms of titles are prescribed by LCRI 21.30J. It is also used for title variations that appear on successive issues that do not constitute title changes. Variant titles are input in field 246 only if they differ substantially from the title statement in field 245 and/or if they contribute to the further identification of and access to the serial. Titles of related serials or of parts within the serial for which a title added entry is desired are input in fields 730 and 740 , respectively.
Field 246 may be used for the following:
To provide online access by title.
To generate a title added entry for a variant form, when desired, on output.
To generate a note on output.
DISPLAY CONSTANTS:
Display constants may be generated from second indicator values "2-8".
Editing instructions:
1. Do not input initial articles.
2. Do not input terminal punctuation unless the field ends in an abbreviation.
3. Add a colon following introductory text in subfield $i.
4. Order of input. When multiple 246 fields are to be recorded, input them in order by second indicator value. Example:
Indicator usage by type of variant title:
The following chart illustrates the types of variant titles most commonly given and the indicator combinations that are generally used for them, as discussed below. In some situations more than one indicator might be applicable, based on an institution's desire to have or not have an added entry when one is not specifically prescribed by LCRI 21.30J.
Type of variant title | 1st ind. | 2nd ind. | $i usage |
At head of title note | 1 | # | $i |
Expanded titles (formerly 212) | 2 | # | |
Fluctuating titles | 1 | # | $i |
Incorrect titles | 1 | # | $i |
Other title information | 3 | 0 | |
Parallel title (from 245) | 3 | 1 | |
Parallel title (not from 245) | 1 | # | $i |
Portion of title | 3 | 0 | |
Title a.3./LCRI 21.30J (form spelled out forms, etc.) | 3 | # | |
Variant titles on piece | 1 | 2-8 | |
Variations of title not considered to be title changes | 1 | # | $i |
CONSER maintenance:
Indicator values set before format integration are not automatically changed by OCLC nor do they need to be changed when the record is updated for another reason. As a rule, do not delete 500 fields or add subfield $i to records created before 1995.
Related fields, etc.
See also:
20X-24X Title and Title-Related Fields
