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Punctuation for subfield $n and $p in title headings

Punctuation for these subfields in title headings is too complex to be answered in a standard MARC Report note, so we will try to address it here.

Note that this page refers to the use of $n and $p in the title portions of X00 and X10 fields.

$n

If a subfield $n is used for a number of a part of a work (Number of part), $n is preceded by a period (see AACR 1.1B9). For example:

600 00 $aVirgil.$tAeneis.$nLiber 6.

However, if a subfield $n is used for a serial, opus, or thematic index number, or a date used to distinguish one musical work from another, then $n is preceded by a comma (see AACR 25.30C1). For example:

700 12 $aSchubert, Franz,$d1797-1828.$tImpromptus,$mpiano,$nD. 899.

If the $n for the serial, opus, or thematic index number, etc., is followed by another $n, then the second $n is preceded by a period. For example:

700 12 $aChopin, Frédéric,$d1810-1849.$tPreludes,$m piano,$n op. 28.$nNo. 20. 

Exception–if the $n is enclosed by parens, the preceding punct is not needed:

700 12 $aBennett, Richard Rodney.$tCarols,$mmixed voices$n(1967).

$p

If a subfield $p (Name of part) follows a subfield $n (Number of part) to provide a title for the numbered part of a work, then $p is preceded by a comma (see AACR 12.1B5). For example:

700 12 $aGill, Janie Spaht.$tPredictable word book.$n1A,$pBeginner.

However, if a subfield $p is for another part of the numbered part, the $p is preceded by a period (see AACR 12.1B5). For example:

700 12$aMahler, Gustav,$d1860-1911.$tSymphonies,$nno. 10.$pAdagio.

Similar to $n, if one $p follows another $p, the second $p is also preceded by a period. For example:

700 12$aWagner, Richard,$d1813-1883.$tRing des Nibelungen.$pSiegfried.$pWaldweben.

Finally, if a subfield $p (Name of part, for a title of a part of a work) follows a subfield $a (Title) or another subfield $p, it is preceded by a period (see AACR 12.1B5). For example:

700 12 $aHeilman, Carl,$d1954-$tGuide to Adirondack trails.$pEastern region.