Library Terms

Abstract - A summary of an article, book or document.

Annotation - A note that describes, explains or evaluates the contents of a book or article.

Anthology - A collection of selected musical or literary works.

Bibliography - A list of journal articles, books or documents that may be organized alphabetically or chronologically.

Biography - Written material about a persons life.

Call number - A unique location code for identifying each book in the library. This code is usually found on the spine of the book. This number arranges books on the shelves by subject and author.

Citation - The complete reference to an article or book. It contains all the details required to describe a unique item and how to locate it.

Database - A collection of information arranged into individual records to be searched by a computer.

Dewey classification system - A system of classifying (arranging) library materials. A 3-digit number designates main disciplines of books and numbers shows subdivisions after a decimal point.

Holdings - The specific materials that a library owns.

Index - A systematically arranged list of terms or topics. A periodical index lists articles in magazines, journals, and newspapers. An index in a book lists subjects with the page numbers of where they can be found in the book.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) - A service which allows users to obtain materials from other libraries that are not available at their own library.

Library of Congress Classification - A classification system made up of letters and numbers which divides knowledge into subject areas. Books in the library are shelved according to the Library of Congress (LC) Classification system or the Dewey Decimal system. Most public libraries use the Dewey system while colleges and universities usually use Library of Congress.

Magazine - A publication that is published periodically (daily, weekly, monthly, bimonthly, annually, biannually, etc.). It is considered to be more general or popular in nature as opposed to a journal, which is more academic and scholastic in nature.

Microfilm - A reproduction of printed materials on a roll of film. Microfilm in a card format is called microfiche. These materials must be viewed on special readers and be printed on special printers.

Online catalog - A computerized system listing materials owned by the library. The FALCON system is an example.

OPAC - Online public access catalog. See also Online catalog.

Periodical - A magazine, journal, or newspaper which is published at regular intervals.

Primary sources - Fundamental authoritative documents relating to a subject, used in the preparation of a later work.

Publication - A book, periodical, musical score, etc. that has been "brought before the public". A work that has been printed and distributed.

Record - A single document in a database. In an electronic index, a record consists of a citation for a single periodical article.

Reference collection - A collection of books to consult for basic information rather than to be read extensively. These materials cannot be removed from the library.

Reserve collection - A collection of materials that are in high demand. Circulation is usually for a limited period of time and most can only be used in the library. Reserve materials can be textbooks, articles, or study guides.

Search term - A word or phrase entered into a database used to match relevant records.

Serial - A publication issued in successive parts usually at regular intervals. Journals, magazines and annuals are examples.

Stacks - A series of bookshelves on which the principal portion of the library's book collection is stored.

Truncation - Abbreviations of a search term using a special symbol in order to include variants of the terms. (Example: child* - would find the word child plus children).

Union catalog, Union list - A listing in book or card form of the holdings of a group of libraries. Union catalogs are usually of books; Union lists of serials.

Vertical file - A collection of pamphlets, newspaper articles or other small published items.

Xerox - A registered trademark often misused as a generic term for photocopying.