Library Vocabulary: Common Terms Defined
Abstract
A brief summary of an article, a conference paper or a book
Accession Number
A unique number or combination of letters and numbers assigned to each record in a database.
Almanac
Annual publication that contains calendars, facts, statistics, and other miscellaneous information
Annotated Bibliography
A list of works on a particular topic, with each entry accompanied by a note intended to explain, describe, or evaluate the publication.
Annotation
A note that describes, explains, or evaluates a particular document.
Anthology
A thematically-linked collection of works or extracts by various authors.
Archives
An organized body of documents made or received in connection with the function of the institution or library. Archives are maintained and preserved as a part of the record-keeping process and usually collected in a separate physical location.
Atlas
A volume of maps, plates, engravings, tables, etc., usually geographic in nature.
Barcode Number
The 10-digit number appearing beneath the barcode found inside or outside the back covers of a book. Barcode numbers are used to charge, discharge, and renew books on the online computer system.
Bibliography
A bibliography is a list of citations for books, periodical articles, government documents or other materials. Published bibliographies on specific subjects are often found in the reference collection.
Bio-bibliography
A list of works by various authors which includes brief biographical data.
Biography
A written account of a person's life or the group of literature concerned with people's lives.
Boolean Operators
Words such as AND, OR, and NOT that are used to combine search terms to broaden or narrow the results of a search. Combining terms using operators is sometimes called Boolean searching.
Browser
Computer program that provides access to the World Wide Web. The browser reads documents and can fetch documents from other sources. Mosaic, Netscape, and Lynx are examples of browsers.
CD-ROM
Compact Disk-Read Only Memory. A computer-based technique for storing and reading information from a compact disk using a CD player and a personal computer. The information on the compact disk is in a Read Only format and cannot be amended or altered by the user.
Call Numbers
The number/letter system used to put the library collection in order on the shelves. Call numbers reflect subjects, so that materials on similar topics are shelved together. At Pepperdine most of the books have Library of Congress call numbers, which begin with one to three letters (e.g., PQ 1756 .I15 1990). The juvenile book collection uses the Dewey Decimal system. Other systems are used for other materials such as music CD's, videos, and Pepperdine dissertations.
Catalog
A database containing records for a specific library or group of libraries. See also
Pepperdine Library Catalog.
Censorship
The act of attempting to prohibit or restrict access to materials or information.
Circulation Desk
A service area where books and other materials are loaned (checked out) to library users. Library materials which do not circulate (reference books and periodicals, for example) must be used within the library.
Citation
Information which fully identifies a publication; a complete citation usually includes author, title, name of journal (if the citation is to an article) or publisher (if to a book), and date. Often pages, volumes and other information will be included in a citation.
Client
A software program which is installed on the users computer. It allows the user to utilize the function and the capabilities of their personal computer, such as a mouse. Web clients are called browsers.
Copyright
Legal way to protect ownership of a creative work by the artist, writer, or photographer who made it. Provides the copyright owner the exclusive right to authorize reproduction or other uses of the work for a specific period of time.
Cross Reference
A term used in catalogs, thesauruses and indexes to lead you from one form of entry to another (e.g., American poets see Poets, American).
Database
A collection of information arranged into individual records to be searched by computer.
Descriptors
A word or a group of words used as a subject to describe the content in books, articles, and other materials for the purpose of indexing or organizing these items by topic. See also Subject Headings and Thesaurus.
Dictionary
A book composed of an alphabetical listing of words with their meanings. Dictionaries often supply additional information such as pronunciation and usage. There are general dictionaries of English and other languages and specialized subject dictionaries in fields such as business, law, medicine, etc.
Directory
A systematically organized list of persons, businesses, organizations, or associations that provides addresses, affiliations, telephone numbers, and similar information.
Dissertation
Publication reporting original research that is a requirement for a doctoral degree
Document Delivery
The provision of a required item to a user. Originally the physical supply of a book or journal. Now also includes delivery by photocopy, fax, e-mail, and other electronic means.
Domain
On the Internet, a part of a naming hierarchy. Syntactically, an Internet domain name, or address, consists of a sequence of names (labels) separated by periods (dots), e.g. "library.pepperdine.edu", the domain name for the Pepperdine Libraries and Information Network.
Download
The act of copying something from an external computer to a disk on a personal computer on the desktop.
Editor
(1)A person who prepares for publication an item not his or her own. This may involve the direction of a staff of persons engaged in creating or compiling the content of the item.
(2)In computer science, software which creates, adds, deletes, and modifies data and/or documents.
Electronic Bulletin Board
An electronic forum for sharing information. Typically supports public and private e-mail, uploading and downloading computer files, and access to online databases. Sometimes called a "BBS" - bulletin board system.
Electronic Mail (e-mail)
An online messaging service between computer users. An "e-mail address" looks like ckoble@pepperdine.edu (the part before the @ represents the local user, the part after is the "domain name" for Pepperdine).
Encyclopedia
A reference source containing informational articles that provide brief but thorough overviews of a range of topics; usually arranged alphabetically by subject, with an index volume to help locate subjects that don't have their own alphabetical entry.
There are general encyclopedias which attempt to cover every subject imaginable, and there are subject-specific encyclopedias, such as the Encyclopedia of Drugs and Alcohol. At Pepperdine, users have access to an electronic encyclopedia, the Britannica Online
Entry: See Record
Federal Depository Library Program
A nationwide geographically-dispersed system, administered by the Superintendent of Documents, consisting of libraries acting in partnership with the United States Government. Established for the purpose of enabling the general public to have local access to Federal Government information at no cost.
Field
A part of a record used for a particular category of data. For instance, the title (ti) field displays the title for each record in the database. Some of the other fields in the databases are author (au), journal (jn) and abstract (ab). The Pepperdine Library Catalog contains additional fields that give the description, call number, location, holdings, and circulation status of an item at Pepperdine.
File Transfer Protocol (FTP)
Internet application for receiving or downloading files from the Internet to one computer, or to upload or send files from one computer to another computer.
Format
The organization or arrangement of information in a particular display or print mode; the type of manner in which information is provided, displayed, or retrieved.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
A list of common questions and answers about computer network services, usually intended for assistance to new users.
FTP: see File Transfer Protocol.
Full Text
The entire article is in the database; it can be printed or downloaded to a disk.
Gateway
1) An interface to a complex online system; 2) A computer system that transfers data between normally incompatible applications or networks.
Gazetteer
A dictionary of geographical information and data about places.
Gopher
Computer software developed at the University of Minnesota that enables an individual searcher to locate information at remote computers at other sites. Many former gopher sites are now set up as HyperText Markup Language (HTML) documents on the World Wide Web
Government Document
A publication or any printed matter originating or printed by the authority of any office of a legally organized government body.
Graphical User Interface (GUI)
Connector between various graphics devices that makes all the graphics capability available to any user and that produces the graphical presentation of information to the user.
Handbook
A collection of information on a subject, meant to be a concise and authoritative reference.
Hardcopy
Printed material (usually bound) as opposed to a digital (computerized) format.
Hold
A library user may place a hold on a book charged out to another person; this ensures that the person placing the hold will be next in line to receive the book when the book is returned.
Holdings
A set of fields in the Pepperdine Library Catalog in a periodical record that shows exactly which years and volumes of that periodical are available at Pepperdine.
Index
A systematic guide to the contents of a file, book, document, or group of documents, in an arrangement which represents the contents, references, page numbers, etc. (e.g., the New York Times Index).
Interlibrary Loan Services
Interlibrary lending and borrowing services provide access to materials that are not owned by the Pepperdine University Libraries. To borrow such materials, check the Interlibrary Loan page.
Internet
A worldwide network of computers that can be accessed via the campus computer network. The Internet allows local computer users to find and use databases on computers of other academic institutions, research institutes, private companies and government agencies.
Journal
A periodical containing articles or other material such as reports, proceedings, or transactions issued by a society, an organization, or an institution. See Magazine.
Keyword Searching
A method or strategy of constructing a search by looking for a word or combination of words from the author, title, or subject fields of records as opposed to the controlled language of subject or descriptor searching.
listserv
Computer software that creates electronic conferences for individuals on the Internet on particular topics. Also known as a "mailing list." Any electronic mail sent to the mailing list is automatically resent, or broadcast, to everyone who has subscribed to the service.
Lynx
Text-only browser for the World Wide Web.
Magazine
A periodical publication for general interest such as news, current events, and popular material. See Journal.
Manual
A book of rules or guidelines; a handbook.
Manuscript
A work written by hand, or the handwritten or typewritten copy of an author's work before it is printed.
Media
Films, tapes and other audio-visual materials that require the use of special listening or viewing equipment.
Menu
Choices and commands that are displayed on the screen and can be selected by the user.
Microforms
Documents, often ones that are bulky or likely to deteriorate rapidly, which have been photographed and reduced in size to reduce the storage space required and to preserve them. Common formats for microforms are microfilm, microfiche, or microcard. Annual reports, college catalogs, telephone books, newspapers, magazines, government documents and Educational Resource Information Center (ERIC) documents are available in microform.
Mosaic
See Browser and Graphical User Interface.
Multimedia
Refers to the use of more than one media, usually in a computer presentation, such as combining text, video, photography, etc.
Newspaper
A serial issued at stated, frequent intervals (daily, weekly, or semi-weekly), containing news, opinions, advertisements, and other items of current, often local, interest.
Password
Secret combinations of characters that are required for security purposes to log into (or access) a computer or computer file.
Pepperdine Library Catalog
A computerized catalog that contains records for the Pepperdine University Library collection.
Periodical
Publication which is issued at least twice a year, including journals, magazines and newspapers. Current periodicals are those which have recently arrived. Bound periodicals are back issues which have been sent to the bindery, covered with a binding, and placed in the stacks. See also Serials
Periodical Indexes and Abstracts
Periodical indexes list articles which have appeared in journals, magazines, or newspapers. They list author, title, name of periodical, volume, pages and date of publication. Abstracts are indexes that also contain summaries of the content of the article.
Primary Source
Manuscript, record or document providing original research or documentation. See Secondary Source
Protocol
A set of communication rules defining the transmission and receipt of information over a network(s) or between computers.
Recall
Library users may place recalls on books charged out to other people by using the "hold" form. The current borrower is assured of having the book for 14 days from check-out, unless the book is needed for Reserve, in which case the item must be returned immediately. The person to whom the material is charged is notified by mail that another library user wants the item. Heavy fines will be levied on students, and staff/faculty privileges will be suspended if recalled materials are not returned on time.
Record
A collection of related data, arranged in fields and treated as a unit. The data for each article in a database makes up a record. The complete information for each item in the Pepperdine Library Catalog is also a record.
Refereed Journal
Scholarly journals that publish articles that have been reviewed and evaluated by subject experts in the field.
Reference
A special department within a library where you can find librarians and a collection of reference materials to help you find the information you need.
Reference Collection
A selection of library materials used by reference librarians to help people find information or to do research. Reference collections contain many sources of information, such as encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs, directories, and statistical compilations. They may also have bibliographies, indexes and abstracts. Reference materials usually do not leave the library.
Reference Librarian
Reference librarians are specialists in the field of information retrieval. Generally they have a Masters degree in library science, and many have other graduate degrees as well. They are available at reference desks to help you find the information you need.
Renewal
An extension of the loan period for charged library materials. Renewals may be handled in person at the circulation desk or by phone.
Reserve Reading
A selection of specific books, periodical articles and other materials which faculty have indicated that students must read for a particular course. These materials are usually kept together at the Circulation Desk and circulate for a short period of time only. To locate reserve materials, you may need to use a reserve course file, ask at the circulation desk, or look up a title in a reserve reading list.
Search Strategy
A logical series of steps for planning and preparing an efficient way to collect pertinent information on a given topic. A search strategy varies depending upon the topic, the nature of the subject, and what type of information is needed.
Secondary Source
Materials or sources that contain information that has been cited, translated, or based upon another - primary or original source. See Primary Source
Serials
Publications that appear more or less regularly--daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, annually, or biennially, for example.
Set Number
Represents the number of articles found for each word or combination of words in a search. In many databases the set number is preceded by the letter s or a pound sign (#) and may often be combined with an additional subject (e.g., s2 and meteorology; #3 and anorexia).
Stacks
The stacks are the part of the library which houses its collection. Books and periodicals are arranged on shelves in the stacks.
Stop List
A list of words, terms, or roots of words or terms to be ignored in indexing or information retrieval, e.g. a, an, the.
Style Manual
Handbooks which describe how to set up footnotes and/or bibliographic references and other information about formatting a research paper. Some widely-used style manuals: Turabian; the Publications Manual of the APA (American Psychological Association); the MLA Handbook (Modern Language Association). There are also some style manuals specifically for electronic resources.
Subject Headings
Words or phrases assigned to books and articles and used to index these items by topic. Determining the correct headings for a specific database or catalog is an important part of effective research. See also Thesaurus.
Superintendent of Documents (SuDoc) classification system
A classification system used to organize and arrange U.S. government publications. Publications are grouped by government author, the various departments, bureaus, and agencies being considered the authors.
TCP/IP
See Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol.
Terminal
An electronic device such as a computer or a workstation that communicates with a host computer or system. The terminal can send or receive data as well as display output either on screen or in a print format.
Thesaurus
A list of all the subject headings or descriptors used in a particular database, catalog, or index. The thesaurus for the Pepperdine Library Catalog is the Library of Congress Subject Headings.
Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol (TCP/IP)
Communication protocol that is the standard for connecting networks and computers on the Internet. Electronic mail, telnet, and FTP are the three main TCP/IP applications.
Truncation
Typing a special symbol at the end of a word to retrieve all possible endings of that word. For example, if you wish to truncate a word while searching Research II you may use the question mark (?); other databases may use the pound sign (#), the asterisk (*), or another symbol.
UNIX
Multitasking, multiuser operating system originally developed in the 1960s by AT&T. Ideal operating system for running computers that offer simultaneous access to many users, while also capable of performing many different tasks at the same time.
Usenet
Internet facility for public dialogue in the form of topical discussion groups ("newsgroups").
User Friendly
Easy to use format implying the dialogue or interface capabilities between a computer user and the computer is simple to understand.
Virtual Library
Library and information services are provided electronically to users, through networked document delivery and access. Often used to refer to networked access to conventional library resources.
Virus
Harmful computer program capable of replicating itself by infecting other programs and computers. A virus can interfere with operation of the computer, or can destroy the contents of computer files. Viruses can be transmitted via floppy disks or computer programs that are downloaded from the network.
World Wide Web
A client-server information system that uses the Internet to access computers containing millions of hypertext documents.
Yearbook
An annual compendium of facts and statistics on a particular subject for the preceding year.
