In accordance with AACR2, serials are entered under title more frequently than they were under earlier rules, including serials that have very commonly used titles, such as Special report, Journal, Statistical summary, or Bulletin.  Therefore, there are greater problems in the catalog when titles are used as added entries, especially if there are no means provided for distinguishing and interfiling different entries with the same title.  AACR2 25.5B is the basic rule that allows a solution, namely, the use of uniform titles for distinguishing between different works with identical titles.  LCRI 25.5B expands upon the rule with guidelines for uses and forms of uniform titles constructed for this purpose, in general and in specific circumstances.

As prescribed in the LCRI, the uniform title consists of the title proper (field 245 , subfields $a, $n, $p) and a qualifier which is chosen by the cataloger.  A uniform title, once created, becomes the cataloging entry for the serial (uniform title heading-- 130 ) or part of the cataloging entry ( corporate body heading/uniform title-- 110 / 240 ).

130 0# $a Network (Harare, Zimbabwe)

245 00 $a Network.

110 2# $a Universalist Sabbath School Union.

240 10 $a Annual report of the secretary of the Universalist Sabbath School Union (1857)

245 10 $a Annual report of the secretary of the Universalist Sabbath School Union.

Although the LCRI has gone through many changes since its inception and continues to evolve, the underlying principle remains the same.  The purpose of the uniform title is not to identify the serial, but to distinguish it from other serials with the same title.  For instance, while a corporate body might seem more meaningful as a uniform title qualifier, the place of publication is often used when it sufficiently distinguishes one serial from another (see CCM 5.3. for the reasons why) because a change in place does not require a new record.

See also:

Module 5.  Uniform Titles (Fields 130 and 240)