Library Vocabulary

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Abstract

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A brief summary of the content of a book, article, speech, or report. (usually no more than a few sentences)

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Annotation

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A critical or explanatory note, usually included in a bibliographical reference or citation.

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Annual

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Published once a year; every year

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Anthology

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A collection of stories, plays, or poems, selected by an editor.

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Article

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A brief composition on a topic, usually published in a magazine or journal.

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Atlas

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A book of maps.

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Author

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A writer of a book, essay, story, play, poem, or other work. Some works have two or more co-authors.

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Autobiography

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An account of one's life written by oneself.

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Bibliography

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A list of references at the end of a book or article.

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Biannual

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Published twice a year.

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Biennial

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Published every two years.

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Biography

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An account of a person's life, written by another. The person who writes a biography is the biographer. The person written about is known at the biographee.

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Call Number

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A unique location code that appears on the spine of a book or bound periodical.

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Catalog

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A catalog contains records, with detailed descriptions and location information, of the materials in a library collection. In this library the catalog is online i.e. stored on a computer.

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CD-ROM

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An abbreviation for "Compact Disc Read-Only Memory; "A computer with a CD-ROM drive is needed to read this kind of disc.

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Circualtion Desk

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The area where users have books checked out to them, return, or renew books and other materials.

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Citation

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A brief description of a text (book, article, report, World Wide Web page, or other) that has been quoted, or used, as an authority. MLA is the citation format used in this class.

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Classification

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Classification is used in libraries to keep like subjects together on shelves. The major classification scheme is used in this library is the Dewey Decimal System.

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Copyright

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The date a work was published.

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Database

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A comprehensive collection of related data organized for convenient access, generally in a computer.

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Dictionary

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A book of alphabetically listed words in a language with generally accepted defintions, etymologies, pronounciations, and other information. Some dictionaries are specialized; for example, Dictionary of Sociology, Dictionary of Literary Terms.

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Directory

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A book that lists the names, addresses, and telephone numbers of a specific group of persons, companies, organizations, or publications.

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Edition

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Some books are revised and republished, particularly reference books. The new version may be called

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Editor

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A person who selects and prepares the works of other writers for publication, by selction, arrangement and annotation.

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Encyclopedia

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A reference book containing information on all subjects, or limited to a special field or subject (sometimes in more than one volume).

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Fine

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A fee charged for keeping a book or other library materials longer than the time allowed.

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Glossary

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An alphabetical list of words related to a specific topic, with definitions, often placed at the end of a book.

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Handbook

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A reference book that provides concise, useful data and other information on a specific subject.

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Hardcopy

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Printed material, as opposed to information in microform or digital (computerized) format.

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Holdings

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All the materials (print, non-print, and elctronic) owned by a library.

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Publication Date

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Year in which a book or periodical was publsihed. The publication date usually can be found ont he back of the title page of a book or ont he cover of a periodical. This is usually an essential part of a citation.

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Quarterly

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Published four times a year. Many scholarly journals are published quarterly.

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Reference Book

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A book such as a dictionary, encyclopedia, or directory that contains specific facts, data, or other brief bits of information.

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Renew

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To extend the loan period of a book.

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Style Manual

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A guide that provides rules and formats for arranging footnotes, citations, and bibliographies. this library uses the MLA Style Guide. Helpful sheets are located at the circulation desk.

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Table of Contents

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A list of the chapter or article titles in a book. This is usually found at the beginning of a book after the title page.

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Thesaurus

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A book of synonyms, sometimes including contrasting words (antonyms). The most well-known thesaurus of this type is Roget's.

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Title

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The name of a book, essay, story, play, poem, picture, statue, piece of music, film, etc.

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Yearbook

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An annual documentary, historical, or memorial publication containg information about the previous year.