The entries below represent common terms used in a library. For more detail, see the guides listed at the bottom of the page.

Abstract
A brief summary of a book, article, etc.
Article
Often called a "paper", an article is a written contribution in a printed or electronic magazine or journal.
Bibliography
A list of citations of books or articles on a particular subject. Often called a List of Works Cited, it is sometimes annotated with evaluations or summaries of the cited books.
Bound periodical
When enough periodicals have accumulated to warrant, the group is perserved in hard covers and made easier to store.
Call number
This number is used to determine the location of an item in the library. It is composed of letters, numbers, and symbols, and groups books on the same subject.
Catalog
You will use our catalog to find material in the library, especially books, journals, and articles. Our Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC) is a collection of electronic records of materials available in our and other libraries in a consortium. Ours is thus a union catalog, and can display the materials owned by ourselves and other members.
Check out
Using your ID you can remove books and other items from the library for a period of time.
Circulate
Materials that can be removed from the premises, or checked-out, may circulate. Reference books, or items in special collections, do not circulate.
Cite
To create a reference to another publication using a standard set of data in a standard format, often APA or MLA, is to cite the publication.
Citation
A reference to a book, article, or other informational material listing such items as author, title, and date.
Current periodical
When the library obtains journals and magazines, the latest issue or most recently-published issue, is the current periodical.
Database
A collection of related data held in a retrievable manner.
Electronic Journal
A full-text journal which is accessed through the www, CD-ROM, DVD, or other electronic device or format.
Folio
A very large or oversize book. The word is taken from "leaf" and implies a book of the largest kind made by folding the paper, the "leaf", only once.
I-Share
Our catalog or OPAC—the web site states, "I-Share serves as a local catalog for ILCSO member libraries in addition to providing interlibrary services to the entire Illinois library community."
Index
A finding aid for articles in magazines or journals. Either print or electronic, information can usually be found in such a periodical index by subject or author's last name.
Information
A collection of observations or facts useful in drawing conclusions. Acquired through study, experience, or instruction, information is a message received and understood by a recipient which decreases the receiver's uncertainty.
Journal
A periodical containing scholarly research articles.
Magazine
A periodical containing popular articles for general readers.
Microfiche
Square 4x6 inches or 3x5 inches film sheets on which visually reduced information has been recorded. Special machines magnify and allow access to these film sheets.
OPAC
Our catalog (see catalog and I-Share), which is the key to finding books and other resources.
Overdue
If a book is still checked out after the date stamped inside, it is overdue and subject to fines.
Oversize book
A book that is too large to fit on regular shelves. It is marked "FOLIO" in the catalog and is shelved elsewhere.
Periodical
A broad term representing magazines and journals. This is a serial publication that appears at intervals. These intervals are usualy regular and can be anticipated, for example monthly.
Periodical index
A resource that refers you to articles in periodicals. Since about 1980 print indexes have been replaced by electronic databases, where you can look up articles by subject heading.
Popular magazine
These often assume no knowledge of the subjects discussed, and are periodicals aimed at a general reader. These cover news, hobbies, special interests, and more.
Primary source
Resources that first report research or ideas. These may be newspapers, reports of research, scholarly journals, trade journals, proceedings of conferences, web sites, and dissertations.
Professional journal
Specialty periodical that reports industry news and enables professionals to stay up to date with important new developments.
 
Recall
If the book you need is checked out, place a recall request with the circulation department. The person who has the book will be notified and will have to return the book to the library. The library will then notify you that the book is being held for you pick up.
Recall notice
If you receive such a notice you must return the material to the library immediately, even if it is not yet due.
Reference book
These must be used in the library. They do not circulate. Typical reference books are dictionaries, encyclopaedias, manuals, almanacs, handbooks, and schedules.
Reference librarian
A staff member who is familiar with the information resources of the library and can show you how to use them. Always seek the reference desk and ask for assistance.
Renew
When you need a book longer than the date due, ask to have it longer, renewing it.
Reserve
When materials are set aside from the regular collection, whether because of especially high use or other reasons, they are reserved for use under stricter conditions.
Scholarly journal
Also called "peer reviewed" journals or "academic" journals, these periodic resources contain articles written by experts and practitioners in a specific discipline.
Search
A staff member will look for the resource (book or journal) for you when you place a request for a search.
Secondary source
A resource that analyzes, compiles, or synthesizes information from one or more primary sources. These can be reviews, review articles, textbooks, encyclopaedias, etc.
Serial
A publication issued at intervals in discrete parts.
Stacks
The set of shelves that hold library books and journals.

More Resources

Glossary of Common Library Terms
The science library of the University of Utah prepared this handy glossary.
URL: http://www.lib.utah.edu/science/glossary.html

 
Glossary of terms