Capitalization "Cheat Sheet"
The following applies to 240, 245, 4xx, 7xx (subfield t), and 740:
Capitalize the first word, and all proper nouns, including all words of compund proper nouns
Examples:
- 245 The story of helium /
- 740 Dining out in Los Angeles.
- 440 Brunner/Mazel series on psychotherapy
If the title of another work appears with the field, capitalize the first word of that title (and any proper nouns within it)
Examples:
- 245 A critical review of The story of helium /
- 740 The best of Dining out in Los Angeles.
The following applies to 245:
If the record does not have a 1xx field, and the first word is a, an or the, also capitalize the first word after a, an or the.
Example:
- 245 The Story of nitrogen /
The following applies to 4xx fields:
If the first word is a, an or the, also capitalize the first word after a, an or the
Example:
- 490 The Literature criticism series
The following applies to 5xx fields:
Capitalize the first word and all proper nouns, including all words of compound proper nouns. Capitalize the first word of any titles quoted within a 5xx note
Example:
- 500 Companion volume to My life with the catalogers.
- 505 Gone with the breeze -- a new start -- Conclusion.
The following applies to 6xx fields:
Capitalize the first word of any subject heading, and of any subdivision (first word after subfields|x, |y or |z)
Examples:
- 650 Horses |x Training |x History.
- 651 Hackensack (N.J.) |x Politics and government |y 1900-
Capitalize any proper nouns, including all words of compound proper nouns, and abbreviations of same
Examples:
- 610 University of Southern California. |b Dept. of Sociology.
- 650 Music |z West (U.S.)
If a subject heading is in inverted order (i.e., Second word, First word) capitalize the word after the comma as well.
Examples:
- 650 Instruments, Musical.
BUT
- 650 Nightclubs, dance halls, etc.
WHY: Because Instruments, Musical is an inverted form of Musical instruments: but Nightclubs, dance halls, etc. is not an inverted form of Dance halls, nightclubs, etc.
Capitalize the first word of any qualifier within parentheses
Example:
- 650 Sonatas (Clarinet and piano)
Important Note: the above rules are for the English language. AACR2 rules on capitalization for other languages are different, depending on the usage within each language. See AACR2 Rev., p. 563-599 for detailed rules. If in doubt, consult a qualified source.
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