Music Library Association Best Practices for preferred title of work
Prerecording
Prerecording
For musical works, first refer to the instructions at Community Resources: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions. Apply the instructions for this element only if none of the instructions specific to musical works are appropriate, or if directed back to this element by LC-PCC PS or MLA Best Practices.
LC/PCC Core.
LC/PCC practice: See the Metadata Guidance documentation: Work elements.
LC/PCC practice: See the Metadata Guidance documentation: Series/subseries: Work: preferred title of work.
LC/PCC practice: See the Metadata Guidance documentation: Series/subseries: Work: preferred title of work: series-like phrases.
Recording
Recording
In MARC: Record as a component of an authorized access point, if appropriate.
Option
Do not apply the option for preferred titles of musical works. For musical works refer instead to Community Resources: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.
LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.
Option
Do not apply the option for preferred titles of musical works. For musical works refer instead to Community Resources: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.
LC/PCC practice: Cataloger's judgment.
Option
Do not apply the option for preferred titles of musical works. For musical works refer instead to Community Resources: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.
LC/PCC practice: Apply the option. Prefer the option to record title of work if one is available.
LC/PCC practice: See the Metadata Guidance documentation: Work: preferred title of work: additional omissions and changes: parts of works.
Omissions and changes to a title
Alternative title
Condition Option
LC/PCC practice: Apply the option.
Additional omissions and changes
Option
LC/PCC practice: Apply the options when they are applicable.
LC/PCC practice: See the Metadata Guidance documentation: Work: preferred title of work: additional omissions and changes: parts of works.
Different titles or forms of title for the same work
Different titles or forms of title for the same work
For musical works refer instead to Community Resources: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.
Preferred titles of work that are created before 1501
Preferred titles of work that are created before 1501
For musical works refer instead to Community Resources: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.
Classical or Byzantine Greek work
Title of work that is not found in an original language or is not applicable
Title of work that is not found in an original language or is not applicable
For musical works refer instead to Community Resources: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.
Title of work that is found in a non-preferred script
Title of work that is found in a non-preferred script
For musical works refer instead to Community Resources: preferred title of musical work: Anglo-American legacy instructions.
Data provenance
Recording a structured description
Recording an identifier
Recording an IRI
Document Date: 2025/06/06
Document: https://access.rdatoolkit.org/en-US_ala-ceefbb96-70ce-3dc3-90e7-39803250d4d7