Learn to Speak Library: A Basic Vocabulary |
This guide provides definitions for and examples of some basic library vocabulary terms. For additional library vocabulary terms, see theOnline Dictionary for Library and Information Science.
For
translations of many of these terms, see the ACRL
Multilingual Glossary.
|
Abstract
A short summary of an article, book, dissertation or other longer work.
An individual piece of writing on a particular subject in a magazine, journal or newspaper.
A 14-digit number used to identify library users and materials.
A list of citations for books, articles and other publications on the same subject.
Periodicals that are put between hard covers, like a book. Also called bound volumes.
A combination of letters and/or numbers that put books in order on the bookshelves and assist in locating materials in the library. Call numbers are based on the subject of the book.
A file of all the books and other materials in a library. The catalog of the MSU Libraries, also called the online catalog, is on the Internet at http://magic.msu.edu/search . Here you can search for or “look up” books and other materials by author, title, keyword or call number.
To borrow an item from the library.
Desk, department and service where you borrow and return library materials and pay fines for overdue (late), damaged or lost materials.
Brief information that describes a book or article. For books, a citation includes author(s); title; and place, publisher and date of publication. For articles, a citation includes the author (s) and title of the article; name of the journal/periodical; volume (issue) number, date and page numbers.
Date when an item borrowed from the library must be returned. Fines (money) may be owed when an item is overdue (not returned on time).
Money owed for not returning library materials borrowed on time.
A subject guide for periodical articles. It gives citations—journal title, date, volume and pages—and, usually, abstracts for articles on a particular topic.
A free service provided by the MSU Libraries to get materials not owned from other libraries. Also called Interlibrary Services.
A scholarly publication containing articles written by different experts about research or experiments—usually published regularly.
A publication containing news, current events and articles on popular topics of general interest.
Publications such as newspapers, journals and magazines that contain articles and are usually published more often than once a year.
Request that an item that has been borrowed by another person be returned before the due date, so you can use it.
Desk, department and service where librarians are available to help you start your research and find information on your topic.
A desk and department where instructors keep books, articles and other class-related materials for students to read or use in the library for a limited time.
Request that the due date for an item borrowed from the library be changed, so that the item can be borrowed for longer.
Areas where bookshelves, made up of ranges, are located in a library.
Page Coordinator: Stephanie Perentesis perente1@msu.edu This URL: http://guides.lib.msu.edu/page.phtml?page_id=41 Last updated: 02-04-2008 |
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