MARC ISBD Punctuation

Most Common Fields and General Punctuation Rules (AACR2)

Field(s)                         Punctuation Rules

100–130                      No punctuation before ǂq unless a period follows an initial or abbreviation – “,” before ǂd – “,” or “–” before ǂe – ends with the following punctuation depending on the information in the  field:  “.” – “ ) ” – “ ] ” –  “–“ –  “ – “?”  

245                              “:” before ǂb – “/” before ǂc – ends with “.”

246                              Never any ending punctuation

250                              Always ends with “.”   

260                              “;” between additional ǂa – “:” before ǂb – “,” before ǂc – ends with the following punctuation depending on the information in the  field: “.” – “ ) ” – “ ] ” –  “–” – “>”

300                              “:” before ǂb – “;” before ǂc – ends with “.” if there is a 4xx field, if not, ends with the following punctuation depending on the information in the field: “.” – “ ) ” – “ ] ”  

490                              “;” before ǂv – No ending punctuation

500                              Punctuation as needed in note – almost always ends in “.” or quotation if the note is a phrase copied word for word from the content of an item

504                              Typically ends with “.”

505                              Typically ends with “.”

520                              Typically ends with “.”

650                              Typically ends with “.”

700–730                      Follows same punctuation conventions as the 100–130 fields

800–830                      “;” before ǂv – Typically ends in “.”

Most Common Fields and General Punctuation Rules (RDA)

Field(s)                         Punctuation Rules

100–130                      No punctuation before ǂq unless a period follows an initial or abbreviation – “,” before ǂd – “,” or “–” before ǂe – ends with the following punctuation depending on the information in the field:  “.” – “ ) ” – “ ] ” –  “–“ –  “ – “?”  

245                              “:” before ǂb – “/” before ǂc – ends with “.” even if the field ends with an abbreviation, initial with a period or a mark of punctuation other than a period (this means that you will occasionally see double periods “..” or double punctuation “?.”)

246                              Never any ending punctuation

250                              Always ends with “.” – add a period when field ends with an abbreviation, initial with a period or a mark of punctuation other than a period (this means that you will occasionally see double periods “..” or double punctuation “?.”)

260/264                      “;” between additional ǂa – “:” before ǂb – “,” before ǂc – ends with the following punctuation depending on the information in the  field: “.” – “ ) ” – “ ] ” –  “–” – “>”

300                “:” before ǂb – “;” before ǂc – ends with “.” if there is a 4xx field and add a period when field ends with an abbreviation, initial with a period or a mark of punctuation other than a period (this means that you will occasionally see double periods “..” or double punctuation “?.”).  If there is no 4xx the field ends with the following punctuation depending on the information in the field: “.” – “ ) ” – “ ] ”  

490                              “;” before ǂv – May end with an abbreviation, initial with a period or a mark of punctuation other than a period

500                              Punctuation as needed in note – almost always ends in “.” or quotation if the note is a phrase copied word for word from the content of an item

504                              Typically ends with “.”

505                              Typically ends with “.”

520                              Typically ends with “.”

650                              Typically ends with “.”

700–730                      Follows same punctuation conventions as the 100–130 fields

800–830                      “;” before ǂv – Typically ends in “.”