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| A | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| abridged: | a shortened version of a book, document, etc. | ||||||||
| abstract: | a short summary of an article or book; abstracts are provided along with citation information in many periodical indexes, and may be written by either the paper's author or an indexer. | ||||||||
| acronym: | a word formed from the initial letters of a series of words. Example: IEEE is an acronym for Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers. | ||||||||
| Adobe Acrobat Reader: | a program for viewing files with the extension .PDF, which are used in many places on the internet. | ||||||||
| almanac: | a reference book published annually containing various facts. It is useful for locating brief information and statistical data. | ||||||||
| alphabetical: | arranged in order of the alphabet. | ||||||||
| annotated bibliography: | a bibliography in which each citation is followed by an annotation containing a brief descriptive and/or evaluative summary, synopsis, or abstract. | ||||||||
| annotation: | a brief, critical or evaluative summary of the content of an article accompanied by a bibliographic citation. | ||||||||
| annual: | a publication that is published once a year. | ||||||||
| anthology: | a collection of published works (poems, plays, essays, etc.) by one or more authors. | ||||||||
| archives: | also referred to as special collections. This is a library's collection of rare and historical information. High School libraries rarely have archives. | ||||||||
| article: | a contribution by one or more authors, published in a periodical. | ||||||||
| atlas: | a book of maps. | ||||||||
| audiovisual materials: | materials which are also defined as non-book materials; may include tapes, recordings, videos, CD's, filmstrips, maps, etc. | ||||||||
| author search: | in an electronic catalog, to search for an article or book by a particular author. | ||||||||
| autobiography: | the story of someone's life, as written by that person, such as The Autobiography of Benjamin Franklin. | ||||||||
| B | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| bar code label: | a small label comprised of vertical lines which contain machine-readable data, each item acquired by a library receives a bar code label with a unique number. | ||||||||
| bibliography: | a list of books and/or journal articles, usually appearing at the end of a book or journal article. This is the same as a "works cited" page. It can lead to additional sources of information. | ||||||||
| biography: | a book about a person's life written by another person. | ||||||||
| book review: | an evaluation of a book, usually published in a periodical or newspaper. | ||||||||
| boolean search: | a search of an electronic database which uses "and", "or", or "not" to link words or phrases. Examples are "Russia AND religion", "dogs OR cats", "American music NOT jazz". For further information see the Research Tips section of this site. | ||||||||
| C | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| call number: | a group of letters and numbers, or just numbers, given to each book in the library that acts like an address. Books are arranged in the library by call number. | ||||||||
| card catalog: | the master index for library use which contains cards for each item by title, author, and subject. Cards are filed alphabetically by the first word on the card. See OPAC (Online Patron Access Catalog). | ||||||||
| cataloging: | The process of identifying materials as either fiction or nonfiction, assigning call numbers and subject headings, and providing necessary information on catalog cards or for entry into an electonic system. | ||||||||
| check out: | to borrow library materials for use outside of the library. | ||||||||
| circulation: | the process of keeping track of borrowed materials, or the number of materials checked from the library. | ||||||||
| citation: | information used to identify a book, article, or other work used in a bibliography, periodical index, or "works cited" list. A citation typically includes the author, title, place of publication, date of publication and, in the case of an article, the name of the journal or magazine, the volume, and the issue. | ||||||||
| classification system: | items grouped together by a category. In most libraries, materials are grouped together by subject. | ||||||||
| collection: | print materials (books and periodicals), software, models, maps, globes, video cassettes, etc. which combine to form the holdings of the library. | ||||||||
| collection development: | planned development of the collection to provide student learning based upon curricular needs, assessment, budget, selection policy, resource sharing and special interests. | ||||||||
| copyright: | the exclusive legal right to reproduce, publish, and sell the matter and form (as of a literary, musical, or artistic work). | ||||||||
| cutter number: | in the call number, a unique alphanumeric code which makes books within a given subject class fall into alphabetical order by author, used in large libraries. | ||||||||
| D | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| database: | a standardized collection of information in computerized format, searchable by various parameters. In libraries this refers to electronic catalogs and indexes. | ||||||||
| Dewey Decimal Classification System: | Most school and public libraries use this sytem to classify any book by its subject. Call numbers on the spines of the book begin with numbers and determine where the book is to be shelved. | ||||||||
| dictionary: | a book composed of an alphabetical listing of words with their meanings. There are general dictionaries of English and other languages and specialized subject dictionaries in fields such as business, law, medicine, etc. | ||||||||
| dissertation: | publication reporting original research that is a requirement for a Ph. D. degree. | ||||||||
| domain name: | the name that identifies a particular computer on the Internet. | ||||||||
| due date: | the date by which your borrowed books and materials should be returned. | ||||||||
| E | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| edition: | all copies of a book produced from the same master copy. A citation will not usually indicate a "first edition," but will note later editions: "revised edition," "fifth edition," etc. | ||||||||
| encyclopedia: | a reference book, either general or subject specific, which provides background information and specific facts. | ||||||||
| F | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| FAQ: | Frequently Asked Questions; many internet sites provide a FAQ section. | ||||||||
| fine: | the amount of money which is owed by the borrower if his/her book is not returned on time. | ||||||||
| ftp: | file transfer protocol; a mechanism for transferring files from one computer to another. | ||||||||
| full text index: | a journal or newspaper index which displays the entire article on the computer screen, not just a citation. | ||||||||
| G | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| genre: | specialized fiction books such as mystery fiction, science fiction, historical fiction, romance novels, westerns, etc. | ||||||||
| glossary: | an alphabetical list, with definitions, of terms specific to a particular subject field - This is a Glossary of Library Terms. | ||||||||
| H | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| hit: | an item identified or retrieved in a catalog or index search. | ||||||||
| hold: | a HOLD guarantees that when a book is returned to the Circulation Desk it will be kept for you. Ask your Library Media Technician about holds in your library. | ||||||||
| HTML: | Hyper Text Markup Language; the coding syntax used to write WWW documents, which are read by browsers. | ||||||||
| HTTP: | Hyper Text Transfer Protocol, the WWW protocol that performs the request and retrieve functions of a server. | ||||||||
| I | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| in print: | still being published, and therefore available for purchase from the publisher or dealer. | ||||||||
| index: | a reference tool used to identify citations to library materials. There are indexes to help you identify periodical articles, newspaper articles, and books. Indexes may be in print or electronic format. | ||||||||
| information literacy: | ability to access, evaluate and use information from all sources. | ||||||||
| Internet: | an international network of computer networks. | ||||||||
| Internet Service Provider (ISP): | a commercial company that sells Internet connection facilities | ||||||||
| inventory: | to take count of materials in a collection against records of library holdings in the shelf list or in the on-line circulation program. | ||||||||
| IP number: | Internet Protocol Numbr; a 4-part number, separated by dots, which identifies a specific machine on the Internet. | ||||||||
| ISBN: | International Standard Book Number; a numerical code given to a book which uniquely identifies it. | ||||||||
| ISSN: | International Standard Serial Number; a numerical code given to a serial (periodical) which uniquely identifies it. | ||||||||
| J | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| journal: | a scholarly periodical, such as The Journal of Russian Studies, as opposed to a magazine which is a popular periodical such as Newsweek. | ||||||||
| K | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| keyword search: | a search of an online library catalog or other database in which any word or words located in any part of the text are found, rather than only specified subject headings. | ||||||||
| L | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| letter by letter alphabetizing: | a sequence for alphabetizing that ignores the spaces between words. Compare with
word by word alphabetizing.
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| LCCN: | Library of Congress Catalog Number. The number assigned to books when using the Library of Congress Classification System. Our library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification System. | ||||||||
| Library of Congress Subject Headings(LCC): | a set of books which lists all subject headings used in libraries using the Library of Congress Classification System, designed to help library users determine the best heading to use to find information on a subject. | ||||||||
| Library Media Teacher: | a person holding a credential for a school librarian in California. To work as a librarian in a California school requires a California teaching credential and a Library Media Teacher credential. | ||||||||
| loan period: | the length of time allowed for the use of an item checked out of the library. | ||||||||
| M | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| MARC Record: | a Machine-readable cataloging record containing data which can be read by computers. | ||||||||
| Mission Statement: | a statement of purpose. An example might be "what is the library about?". | ||||||||
| MOO: | MUD, Object-Oriented; a multi-user role-playing environment (MUD) with an object-based environment. | ||||||||
| MUD: | Multi-User Dimension; a virtual reality site on the Internet where multiple users can interact. | ||||||||
| N | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| netiquette: | Internet etiquette, unwritten rules of conduct governing communication over the Internet. | ||||||||
| network: | a connection between two or more computers which allows them to share the same software and information. The library has Research Computers which are part of a network. | ||||||||
| non-circulating materials: | items that must be used in the library, such as reference books and encyclopedias. | ||||||||
| O | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| online catalog(OPAC): | a library catalog that is available through a computer instead of a card file. Catalogs tell you what the library owns, where the item is located, and if the item is checked out. | ||||||||
| online searching: | in general, searching a computerized database. | ||||||||
| overdue: | material which is not returned to the library by its due date is considered overdue. | ||||||||
| oversized books: | books too large to fit in regular shelving. | ||||||||
| P | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| packet: | the basic unit of data transmitted over the Internet, packets are transmitted independently and then reassembled at their destination. | ||||||||
| PDF: | Portable Document format; a document-encoding process developed by Adobe that maintains page layout, fonts and graphics, and can include many other features. | ||||||||
| periodical: | a publication, such as a magazine, journal, or newspaper, which is published on a regular basis. A journal is similar in form to a magazine, but is more scholarly in nature. | ||||||||
| plagarism: | is just plain cheating. It's using someone else's words or ideas in your paper as if they were your own. If you copy someone else's work on purpose, you know that it is wrong. It is also important to avoid avoid the accidental appearance of plagiarism. | ||||||||
| publisher: | the person, company or organization responsible for placing a book , journal, or other publication on the market (as opposed to the printer or bookseller). | ||||||||
| push: | an information-delivery technology whereby users are 'pushed' information by the server rather than 'pulling' it themselves. | ||||||||
| Q | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| quarterly: | periodical published at regular intervals four times a year. | ||||||||
| R | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| reference book: | a book you may use to find information on a subject. Because most people refer to these books, but do not need to read them from beginning to end, these books do not circulate. Dictionaries, encyclopedias, and almanacs are all reference books. | ||||||||
| reference materials: | reference materials are usually used to find definite items of information. To provide quick access to everyone, these items cannot be checked out. Reference materials include almanacs, atlases, dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, and indexes. | ||||||||
| renew: | to extend the due date for a book. To do this you need to bring the book into the library so that it can be renewed for another two weeks. | ||||||||
| research process: | a series of learning steps designed to help the learner understand and master the research process. For more information look at the section on Research Tips. | ||||||||
| reserve materials: | a selection of specific books, periodicals, and other materials which are set aside for short term use. | ||||||||
| S | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| search engine: | an indexing tool on the internet developed to allow users to search for information by entering a subject. | ||||||||
| "see" reference: | a note in a catalog used to guide the user from a heading that is not used in the catalog to one that is used. Example: BLACKS - UNITED STATES see AFRICAN AMERICANS. | ||||||||
| "See also" reference: | in a catalog, indicates that other headings may also be used, in addition to the one the user is searching under. It extends the limit of the search. Example: BLACKSMITHING see also: CARRIAGE AND WAGON MAKING, FORGING, IRONWORKING. | ||||||||
| selection policy: | a written statement adopted by the school district which establishes the the policies for selection of the materials that will be placed within the library. | ||||||||
| serial: | a publication which comes out in parts. This includes periodicals such as magazines, newspapers, and journals, as well as books such as almanacs which come out each year. | ||||||||
| shelving: | returning materials to their correct place on the shelves. All materials must be shelved when they are returned to the library. | ||||||||
| special collections: | location of a special collection of materials, such as rare photographs or historical maps. | ||||||||
| specialized encyclopedias: | an encyclopedia that has information on a specific topic instead of information on all topics. An example is an encyclopedia on Science that contains only scientific terms and their history and meaning. | ||||||||
| stacks: | the shelves where books are located. | ||||||||
| subject heading: | a term chosen to identify subjects in a classification system. The same subject heading in a library catalog is used to describe all materials on that topic. | ||||||||
| subject search: | to seek information by topic (as opposed to author or title). | ||||||||
| subtitle: | an explanatory phrase following a main title. | ||||||||
| T | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| TCP/IP: | Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol; the communication program common to most connected computers. | ||||||||
| theses: | refers to the treatises written by candidates for a Master's Degree. | ||||||||
| title search: | to search for an item by its title, generally in an alphabetical listing. | ||||||||
| tracings: | a list at the bottom of a catalog entry showing the other headings under which the item is listed. | ||||||||
| truncation: | when you shorten a word and add a wildcard such as and asterisk (*) in order to extend your search to variations of the word. Example: govern* to find governing and government. | ||||||||
| U | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| uniform title: | the standard title used for a work which has previously appeared under various titles. | ||||||||
| unzipping: | expanding files that have been compressed. | ||||||||
| URL: | Uniform Resource Locator is an address that specifies the location of a file on the Internet. Example: http://www.lib.utah.edu | ||||||||
| V | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| verification: | confirmation of the accuracy of a bibliographic entry. Teachers will verify that the source information used for a paper is valid. | ||||||||
| volume: | a unit in a set or series; such as a single book in a set of encyclopedias. | ||||||||
| W | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| Web: | short for World Wide Web. | ||||||||
| Web page: | a single HTML document (file); a web page may be many screens long when viewed, or many pages long if actually printed out. | ||||||||
| Web search: | to use one of the heirarchical subject guides or search engines available from a Web browser to identify and retrieve information housed on the World Wide Web. | ||||||||
| Web site: | a collection of interlinked documents on a Web server. | ||||||||
| weeding: | the process of "refining" collections by removing obsolete or unusable materials from the library. | ||||||||
| word by word alphabetizing: | words, not letters, are used as filing units. Spaces between words are treated as filing elements. See letter by letter alphabetizing. | ||||||||
| World Wide Web: | the set of information resources that can be accessed through various search engines. | ||||||||
| WWW: | World Wide Web. | ||||||||
| X | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| Y | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| Yahoo: | one of a number of Web search engines. | ||||||||
| Z | Go To: A, B, C, D, E, F, G, H, I, J, K, L, M, N, O, P, Q, R, S, T, U, V, W, X, Y, Z | ||||||||
| ZIP: | a method of compressing large files for transfer and storage, which can be expanded back for use with UNZIP. | ||||||||
