33.3.1.  Deciding which issue to use

Base the description on the first or earliest issue of the newspaper, according to AACR2 12.0B1 and CCM Module 3.  In cases of conflict or ambiguity, generally use the chronological designation as the primary determination of order.   Numeric designations on newspapers are often less reliable than on other types of serials and should be given less weight in choosing the earliest issue, although numberings on January issues may be more reliable than their dates.

33.3.2.  Determining the chief source once the issue has been selected

The source of the title is the masthead of the first or earliest available issue.  The source of the bibliographic description is the newspaper itself.  The areas of the newspaper most often consulted are the masthead and the publisher's statement.

The masthead includes the newspaper title statement found on the first, or front page.  The masthead may also be called the nameplate, flag, or banner (Figure 33.1.).  In addition to naming the newspaper, the masthead may also state the edition, place of publication, designation, day of publication, the newspaper's motto or philosophy, and the price.  If the newspaper lacks a masthead, take the title from any source within the issue, and note the source from which the title was taken.  Do not give a "source of title" note (field 500) for the masthead, since that is the norm.

The publisher's statement can include the title, edition, place of publication, publisher, editor, designation, frequency, the newspaper's motto or philosophy, price, and address.  The publisher's statement may consist of one area, usually enclosed within a lined block or box (called  "publisher's block") that includes the above information (Figure 33.2.).  The publisher's statement may alternatively be comprised of two areas:  a publisher's block, which identifies the publisher; and a subscription block, which provides subscription information, addresses, and frequency.  Unlike the masthead, the publisher's block may appear anywhere in the newspaper.

If no part of the newspaper supplies data that can be used as the basis of the description, take the necessary information from any available source, whether this is the contents of the newspaper or a reference work.  Provide in a note the reason for, and the source of the supplied data.

245 00 $a [Daily herald].

362 0# $a Vol. 1, no. 1 (May 12, 1955)-

500 ## $a First issue untitled; issues for May 13, 1955- called: Daily herald.

See also:

Module 33.  Newspapers