246 Varying Form of Title

Field definition and scope:

Field 246 contains varying forms of the title associated with the item, whether they are or are not on the item. These variant titles are recorded in field 246 only if they differ substantially from the title statement in field 245 and if they contribute to the further identification of the item.

For items including several works but lacking a collective title, field 246 is used only for titles related to the title selected as the title proper, usually the first work named in the chief source of information. Titles related to other works are recorded in field 740 (Added Entry - Uncontrolled Related/Analytical Title) or one of the other 7XX (Added Entry) fields.

When displayed or printed as a note, varying forms of titles are usually preceded by an introductory term or phrase that is generated as a display constant based on the first indicator value.

Note:

For information about the 1993 redefinition of field 246, including changes in field 740, select: Content designator history.

For information about related but obsolete fields (211, 212, 214, 241), select: 20X-24X: Content designator history.

For information on multiple Varying Form of Title fields, select: Multiple fields.

The National level record requirement for this field is Mandatory if applicable.

Field 246 is repeatable.

Guidelines for applying content designators:

For indicator and subfield code definitions and examples, National-level (NLR) and Minimal-level (MLR) record requirements, and designator repeatability, see table below:

Position	Description	NLR	MLR	Repeatability
Field 246	Varying Form of Title	A	A	R
Indicator:
First	Note controller/title added entry	M
0	Note, no title added entry	A
1	Note, title added entry	A
2	No note, no title added entry	A
3	No note, title added entry	A

Second	Type of title	M
#	No information provided	A
0	Portion of title	A
1	Parallel title	A
2	Distinctive title	A
3	Other title	A
4	Cover title	A
5	Added title page title	A
6	Caption title	A
7	Running title	A
8	Spine title	A

Subfield code:
$a	Title proper/short title	M	M	NR
$b	Remainder of title	A	O	NR
$f	Designation of volume and issue number and/or date of a work	A	A	NR
$g	Miscellaneous information	A	O	R
$h	Medium	O	O	NR
$i	Display text	A	O	NR
$n	Number of part/section of a work	A	A	R
$p	Name of part/section of a work	A	A	R
$5	Institution to which field applies	A	O	NR
$6	Linkage	A	A	NR
$8	Field link and sequence number	O	O	R

Input conventions:

Punctuation

Initial articles

Incomplete dates/Volume designations

Multiple fields

Display constants

Content designator history:

Prior to the redefinition of field 246 in 1993 to include all variant titles associated with the item, whether they are or are not on the piece, some variant titles were contained in the following three fields that are now obsolete: 211 (Acronym or Shortened Title), 212 (Variant Access Title), and 214 (Augmented Title).

In 1993, field 246 was also defined for all forms of material. Prior to that date, added entries for variant titles for other than serials and serially-issued computer files were contained in the added entry variant title 740 field which has been redefined as "Added Entry - Uncontrolled Related/Analytical Title."

Subfield $c - Remainder of title page transcription [obsolete, 1991] [CAN/MARC only]

Subfields $d - Designation of section/part/series (SE) [obsolete, 1979]

$e - Name of section/part/series (SE) [obsolete, 1979]

Prior to the redefinition in 1979 of subfields $n and $p for numbered and named parts/sections/series of a work in other fields, these data were contained in subfields $d and $e in field 246. Subfields $d and $e were made obsolete in 1979.

Subfield $g - Miscellaneous information [changed, 2014]: In 2014, subfield $g was made repeatable.

Subfield $h - Medium (SE) [redefined]: Prior to the definition of $g (Miscellaneous information) in 1979, subfield $h was defined for miscellaneous information.