Simplified Other Titles Element Help

Definition

Other Titles refers to title information after the title proper; including Subtitles, Series Titles, Translated Titles, Alternative Titles, and Uniform titles.

The title is a word, phrase, character, or group of characters, normally appearing in a resource, that names it or the work contained in it. ¹

The entire title field consists of the title proper and may also contain the general material designation (medium), remainder of title, other title information, the remainder of the title page transcription, and statement(s) of responsibility. The title proper includes the short title and alternative title, the numerical designation of a part/section and the name of a part/section. For mixed material, the title statement is defined as the name by which the material is known. ²

As implemented, a title consists of the single title statement, a non-sorting portion of the title (usually includes the leading articles or punctuation), and a subtitle. Part number and part names may also be included. A particular display label, authority, and language may also be associated with the title. The display label is often used to capture relevant scope information about the title, which otherwise would not be accomodated. Finally, a title type is included for titles which are not the main title. The possible title types are abbreviated, alternative, series, translated, uniform. In the actual MODS metadata, the series title is implemented a little bit differently, being mapped into a title field under a related item field with type equaling series.

Each other title is associated with a title type. The table below explains the differences between each title type:

Title Type	Definition
Alternative Title	A variation of the main title
Abbreviated Title	A shorter version of the main title
Series Title	The title of a series to which the item belongs
Subtitle	The remainder of the title information after the title proper
Translated Title	The original or translated title of a foreign language item
Uniform Title	The title chosen to represent a work that has appeared under varying titles

Form Element

In the online templates, this element appears as below:

This form element allows the user to enter just the simple title text for an alternative title, abbreviated title, series title, subtitle, uniform title, or translated title.

Other form elements for entering title information include Main Title and Complex Title Entry. A title used as a subject should be entered through one of the subject form elements.

Best Practices

Not all items will require Other Titles, but the Other Title field is repeatable.

The non-sort element of the title (leading article or punctuation) should be included.

Select the title type most appropriate. Below are some additional considerations by other title type:

Title Type	Additional Considerations
Alternative Title	If a title proper contains numerals or symbols, an alternative title should be added with the numbers or symbols written out. It a title proper contains an alternative title, the title information following the "or" should be entered as an alternative title.
Series Title	If an item contains series information, a series title should be included.
Subtitle	Information that appears in a title after a colon, or appears after the title on the title page but not on the cover or half title page, should be included as a subtitle. Example: The Aftermath of the Trujillo dictatorship
Translated Title	If a translation exists from the main title to any other language (including English if the original item's title is not in English) the translated title should appear here.

Sources

Contributors

Nicola Hill, Mark Sullivan, and Laurie Taylor

All contributors >>