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Schauerman Library Web Guides - Research & Library Terms Glossary for College Students
Unfamiliar tools and terms can make research daunting. This glossary aims to present and explain the most commonly used library, computer and research terms. Time spent in the Schauerman � or any - library will be much more productive if you have a basic understanding of these terms.
Abstract: a summary of an article or book. Abstracts are included on many of our library online databases.
Accuracy: degree of precision, truthfulness and correctness of the information in a source. The degree of accuracy is one of the evaluation criteria when judging the appropriateness of a WWW site for research purposes. Accuracy can be judged by comparing several sources.
Almanac: an annual (usually) publication, containing useful current information and facts and statistics. Almanacs can be general, like the World Almanac & Book of Facts, or subject specific, like the Almanac of American Politics.
Annotated bibliography: a list of citations/works consulted where a brief description and evaluation of each citation is added.
Annotation: a brief description, abstract and evaluation of a source.
Article: a brief written essay on a subject. Usually found in magazines, journals and newspapers, amongst others.
Attachment: an electronic file sent with an email message.
Author: original writer of a book or article. An author may be one person, a group of people, or a �body�, like a government department.
Authority: the knowledge and experience that allows a person to be seen as an expert in a certain field. This is based on the persons credentials, experience, publications, work, reviews, awards, place of work, etc.
Autobiography: the story of one�s own life, written by oneself. SEE ALSO Biography.
Bibliography: a list of publications, or works on a particular subject. A bibliography may be a whole book, or just a list at the end of a book, essay or article. You will be asked to compile a bibliography of the books, articles, and websites you used when writing a research paper on any topic. Sometimes these bibliographies may have to be annotated. Bibliographies usually follow a strict style as prescribed in a style manual, like the MLA or APA styles. You can pick up a Guide to the MLA and APA styles at the Schauerman Library Reference desk.
Biography: an account of a person�s life, told by another. SEE ALSO Autobiography.
Blurb: promotional material, usually on the cover or dust jacket of a book, summarizing the main plot of the work in an engaging style intended to "hook" the potential reader.
Book Stacks: area where the library books are kept on shelves in call number order. You need to have the call number, or classification number, to locate the book on the shelves. In a public library there will also be book stacks of fiction arranged alphabetically by the author�s last name.
Bookmark: a Netscape term for web sites marked and saved for later reference. Called a Favorite in Internet Explorer.
Boolean Operators: three basic operators, or words, AND � combine terms, OR � either term, NOT � exclude term, used in linking keywords/concepts when searching the WWW or electronic databases.
Boot/Reboot: to start up, or restart, your computer.
Bound Periodicals/Journals: older issues of periodicals that were collected between hard covers and now resemble books, making storage easier. The Schauerman Library has a collection of bound periodicals in the West Wing basement.
Browser: a software interface that allows a computer to search, access and view information on the Internet. The two most common browsers are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Netscape.
Call number/Classification number: a unique number given to each book acquired by the library. The purpose is to group books together by subject, and to allow for subdivisions within that subject area. The Dewey Decimal classification scheme and the Library of Congress Classification scheme are the two most commonly used. The Schauerman Library uses the Library of Congress Classification scheme, like most academic libraries worldwide.
Cataloging: the library department responsible for classification and processing of library materials, and maintenance of the library catalog.
CD-ROM: Compact Disk/Read Only Memory disks holding thousands of pages worth of information that can be quickly searched at a computer workstation.
Censorship: removal of certain sources or information due to moral, religious, political or ethical motivations.
Circulating materials: library materials that may be checked out by registered patrons with a library card.
Circulation desk: the area of the library where you get a library card, check out books, return and renew books. Ask at the Schauerman circulation desk about other services.
Citation: sufficient information to allow a book, article, website to be identified and located. Information like the author, title, publication date, volume and issue numbers, and URL need to be included, depending on the source being cited. There are differing "styles" of citation, including the MLA (Modern Language Association), the APA (American Psychological Association), The Chicago style, and others. You can pick up a Guide to the MLA and APA styles at the Schauerman Library Reference desk. SEE ALSO Style Manuals, and Bibliography.
Cookies: files containing information about visitors to a web site (e.g. user name and preferences). This information is provided by the user during the first visit to a web server. The server records this information in a text file and stores this file on the visitor's hard drive. When the visitor accesses the same web site again the server looks for the cookie and configures itself based on the information provided. Cookies do raise questions about privacy. You can view all the cookies on your own hard drive.
Copyright: Ideas & information belong to the person who created them. You need permission to use copyrighted materials, although you may use materials for educational purposes if you stick to �Fair use� guidelines.
Cross Reference: A note like Crocodiles SEE ALSO Alligators, or, Shells SEE Sea Shells, in an index that refers the user from one term to a more common or preferred term, or related term.
Currency: how up to date the information is. This is vitally important in certain fields like medicine and business.
Current Periodicals: recent copies of periodicals, and newspapers that are kept until being sent of to be microfilmed or bound. In the Schauerman Library the most current titles are arranged alphabetically on special shelves around the Reference room walls. Ask for older current issues at the Periodicals desk.
Database: a collection of electronic files, or records, stored on a computer for easy access.
Dewey Decimal Classification: library classification system that divides knowledge into ten main classes (000 � 999), named for inventor Melville Dewey. Mainly used by school and public libraries.
Domain: the part of the URL that describes the nature/location of the host computer, like .com, .edu and .gov.
Download: moving programs from another computer to your computer.
Due date: the date when the book/video you borrowed must be returned to the library. If you need to keep the material longer you may renew it if no one else is waiting for it. If the material is late/overdue, lost or damaged, there may be penalties.
Email: electronic mail sent between computers, as opposed to traditional written letters sent via the Post Office.
Emoticons: a combination of keyboard characters that are meant to convey emotions., like J for a smile, :0 for surprise. Used often in email and chat.
Encyclopedia: a reference source presenting general information about one, or a variety of, topics. Entries are usually arranged alphabetically. Encyclopedias may be general, covering all topics (encyclopedia Britannica), or specialized, covering only one topic or discipline (Encyclopedia of Art)
Fair use: the guidelines for copyrighted materials are that one only copy a small part of the work, use the copy only for personal scholarship and the need is fairly urgent, leaving no time to apply for permissions.
FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions): a collection of commonly/frequently asked questions � with answers. If you are new to a newsgroup, mailing list, or a complex site, this is a good place to begin.
Flame: a rude message, usually on a newsgroup or mailing list.
Frequency: the interval at which a serial is
published
daily
weekly
biweekly (every two weeks)
semimonthly (twice per month)
monthly
bimonthly (every two months)
quarterly
semiannual (twice per year)
annual
biennial (every two years)
triennial (every three years)
irregular (no set schedule)
FTP (File Transfer Protocol): a way of transferring files from one computer to another over the Internet.
Full text: indicates that a database provides the full text of the requested book, article or document instead of merely the usual abstract.
Gazetteer: a geographical dictionary
GIF (Graphics Interchange Format): compact graphic format. Most web browsers accept .gif and .jpeg as the standard for viewing graphics on the web.
GUI (Graphical User Interface): a user interface based on graphics (icons and pictures and menus) instead of text; uses a mouse as well as a keyboard to allow the user to interact with the operating system
Hard disk: the component that stores your programs and data files even when the computer is off. SEE RAM.
Hold: the process of reserving material that is currently checked out by someone else. When the item is returned the Circulation staff will notify you and hold the item for you for a certain period. Ask at the Circulation desk for details, or you can place holds on items yourself using our online catalog.
Holdings: materials owned by a library.
Home page: the first area you see on your monitor when you visit a Web site.
HTML (Hypertext Markup Language): a language using tags, used to make web pages.
HTTP (Hypertext Transfer Protocol): method used to transfer documents from the host computers/servers to browsers and so to individual computers. Most URLS begin http://...
Hyperlinks: connections/links between pieces of information. Hyperlink text is usually underlined and a different color from the main text. Graphics can also be hyperlinks. If you click on the hyperlink (graphics or text) you are immediately sent on to the next link or connection with its information.
ibid.: abbreviation of ibidem (Latin)
"in the same place." Used to refer to the last work cited, instead
of retyping the citation
EXAMPLE:
1.Marley, Janice. Politics for the People. New York.
Jamison Press, 1999. p.71
2. Ibid., p.92.
Index: an alphabetical listing of citations to periodical articles or books, arranged by subject, title, or author. Indexes come in print or electronic format. There are many types of indexes � ask a Reference librarian for advice. Books often contain indexes at the back, listing the subjects dealt with in that book.
Inter Library Loan: a service which allows patrons to obtain materials not owned by their library. The Schauerman Library offers this service to faculty only.
Internet: a worldwide electronic network of computers, providing access to email, information and the WWW to millions of users.
ISBN (International Standard Book Number): a unique ten digit number assigned to every printed book.
ISSN (International Standard Serial Number): a unique eight digit number assigned to every serial publication title.
Internet Address: SEE URL.
Intranet: an internet only accessible to members of an organization, like a business or college. The intranet allows people to exchange data within that organization.
ISP (Internet Service Provider): you pay the ISP for your hook up to the Internet.
Journal: a type of periodical containing scholarly/specialized articles. The articles often include an abstract and bibliography. The writing style is formal. Journals often have continuous pagination.
Keywords: a significant word in the title, text or summary of a document that can be searched. Some indexes use keywords instead of assigning subject headings. Keyword searching is quite flexible, allowing for use of Boolean operators, field searching and truncation.
Library of Congress Classification System: The classification system used by most academic & research libraries. This system divides knowledge into subject areas and assigns a combination of alphabet letters and numbers to reflect those subjects and their subdivisions. Each library item is assigned a call/classification number to reflect its subject matter. Ask for a summary of the LC classification system at the Reference desk.
Location: where the item is shelved or housed. The location is usually given at the end of the catalog record.
Login: to connect to a computer system. Usually a password and username is needed and you need to be authorized to use that system.
Magazine: a periodical intended for the general public rather than scholars, with shorter articles of general interest written in easy to understand language.
Metasearch: an Internet search tool that simultaneously searches several other search tool indexes and presents the top results.
Microfilm: a roll of film that stores older copies of periodicals/newspapers and other documents. Ask at the Periodicals desk about our microfilm holdings.
MIME (Multipurpose Internet Mail Extensions): popular way of encoding messages and attachments be they text, sound or video.
Multimedia: the combination of audio, video and data. Internet browsers can handle multimedia with the addition of plug-ins.
Natural language: a search strategy using everyday language in the form of a complete question.
Netiquette: rules for how to behave on the Internet, especially in areas of social communication and interaction like email, newsgroups & mailing lists.
Network: two or more computers linked together (via modem, cable, satellite) that can share files or other resources.
Non Circulating materials: items which are not allowed to be checked out of the library. Reference materials are non circulating.
Objectivity: the impartial treatment, looking fairly at all aspects, of a topic by relying on facts rather than opinions. Sources should be evaluated in terms of their objectivity.
OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog): the computerized catalog of the library�s holdings. You can search for items by Author, Title, Subject or Keyword.
Oversize: large volumes that are shelved in a special area as they cannot fit on the regular shelves. Ask the Reference librarian about this collection. Also sometimes known as Folio books.
Patron record: a record on a database that has information about each registered user of that particular library.
Periodical: a publication with a distinct title, produced at regular intervals. Newspapers, magazines and journals are all types of periodicals. Periodicals are encompassed by the term Serials.
Periodical Index: a subject listing, by year, of what articles have been published by which periodicals. These indexes may be general or subject/discipline specific. They may also be in print or online.
Plagiarism: presenting someone else�s ideas and information as your own.
Plug in: a small computer program you add to your browser to handle additional functions like audio & video.
Popular sources: books and magazine articles written for the general public.
Primary sources: original manuscripts, contemporary records/documents created at the time the event occurred.
Protocol: rules governing how computers communicate with each other, e.g. hypertext transfer protocol, file transfer protocol�
RAM (Random Access Memory): memory used to run programs. Similar to a hard drive except data is lost when the computer is switched off.
Real Audio & Video Player: plug ins you can install for listening to and watching live and pre recorded clips, music newscasts, etc.
Record: a unit of information that identifies a specific item, including data like author, title, publisher, subject headings and location. Also known as the bibliographic record.
Refereed publication: many scholarly journals use a board of referees to review material for publication to ensure it conforms to rigorous academic standards of quality.
Reference books: books containing factual information or citations to other material, e.g. encyclopedias, dictionaries, directories, indexes. These items may not be checked out so that they are always available to researchers.
Reference librarian: a person who is trained in the field of information retrieval. Please ask the reference librarians for help in finding materials you may need for your research.
Renew: to extend the loan time of the materials that you have checked out. You may stop by and ask the staff at the Circulation desk to renew your items, or you may use the phone renewal service.
Reserve: some Faculty ask that items be put in a Reserve area so that they can be used by all the students in that class. These items may be checked out for a limited period of two hours and used in the library only. Ask at the Periodicals/Reserve desk for these items. You must present your current library card to access these materials.
Scholarly sources: certain books and articles written by scholars and experts for students and other professionals reflecting research in that area of study.
Search engines: an Internet search tool that uses spiders to search the web for relevant sites and build a huge index of these sites.
Search tools: a free Internet service that indexes web pages and searches for pages containing the terms you search for. When you type a phrase or keyword into the search tool query box, it scans the pages in its index for matches. There are different types of search tools: directories, search engines, and meta search engines.
Secondary sources: works that are not original manuscripts/documents associated with an event or person, but which comment upon, critique, or build upon these primary sources.
See/See Also references: also called Cross References. These are directions leading you from one heading (little used) to another, more popular or well known, heading in a catalog or index.
Serials: any publication (like newspapers, magazines and almanacs) that are printed on a regular, ongoing basis.
Server: a computer that provides services to another computer.
Shareware: programs that you can download from the Internet, that are free to use for a limited time (usually 30 days). If you want them longer than that you are supposed to pay for them.
Shockwave: a popular plug in for viewing multimedia.
Spam: commercial email sent to huge numbers of people.
Spiders: programs sent out by search tools to find, review and catalog web sites for their indexes. Also called crawlers or indexers.
Status: describes an item�s current whereabouts � checked out, in library, missing, on hold�
Style manuals: publications describing strict rules for the writing of essays, papers, dissertations and bibliographies. These rules help ensure consistency among publications. There are many different style manuals.
Subject headings: used in catalogs & indexes to group items on the same subject together. The Library of Congress publishes a three volume set of the subject headings it uses, and these headings are the standard for many other databases/indexes. This set is available at the Reference desk for consultation.
Surfing: looking for interesting things on the WWW using search engines and hyperlinks.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator): a web site address. A typical URL looks like this:
http://www.hostcomputer.domain/document.html
For example: http://www.ucla.edu/library/
Virus: computer programs that cause your computer to malfunction, some are worse than others.
Web site/Web page: a location where information is collected & made available on the WWW.
WWW (World Wide Web): the part of the Internet that contains hyperlinked documents, graphics, video and sound and is viewed via a browser like Netscape or Explorer.
Online Research/Library/Computer Glossaries to Consult
Online Dictionary of Library & Information Science. http://vax.wcsu.edu/library/odlis.html
Glossary of Information Literacy Terms. http://www.ycp.edu/library/ifl/glossary.html
NYU Bobst Library Glossary http://www.nyu.edu/library/resources/tsd/glossary.html
Glossary of Common Library Terms. http://www.lib.utah.edu/science/glossary.html
CS/ECCAug2002. Rev.2004
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