Getting StartedGlossary of Library Words
For more information, please use this dictionary, or other dictionaries listed here.
annotated bibliography = a bibliography after which a brief description or summary is listed.
biblography = list of sources referenced in a research project (see also "references," "works cited," "in text citation," and "citation.")
boolean operators = AND, OR, NOT (connecting words to create search strings)
Example: fishing AND globalization - this search string uses the boolean operator AND.
More examples of boolean operators are available.
catalog = research tool to help you find books, e-books, and other hard-copy library materials, such as videos and magazines. (The name comes from the old "card catalog" library tools).
circulating = library materials that can be borrowed. (See "reference books.")
circulation = borrowing library materials
citation = reference to source material. There are different styles of citation depending on your field of study (APA, MLA, Bluebook...). (See "in-text citation", "references", "works cited", and "bibliography.") The library offers citation guidance.
databases = subscription search tools (purchased by the library) for finding articles, reports, images, data, etc. (See databases vs. websites.)
e-book = electronic book. It can be digitized from print form or "born digital." Find e-books.
e-journal = electronic journal. It can be digitized from print form or "born digital." Find e-journals by journal title or topic. You can use the same e-journal search to find magazines, newspapers, journals, periodicals, and serials.
index = In the library, you might hear of an index database (which means the database only has citations and sometimes abstracts - not the full text). Indexes are also lists of relevant topics in the back of books. Flip to the back of the book to find your topic and the index will tell you what pages to read.
information literacy = Information literacy is a set of abilities enabling individuals to recognize when information is needed and to locate, evaluate, and use effectively the needed information.
Information literacy forms the basis for self-directed lifelong learning. An information literate individual draws conclusions based upon information gathered, and determines probable accuracy by questioning the source of the data, the limitations of the information gathering tools or strategies, and the reasonableness of the conclusions. An information literate individual uses information in an ethical and legal manner, demonstrates an understanding of intellectual property, copyright, and fair use of copyrighted material, and does not represent work attributable to others as his/her own.
Each program offered at GEN has a unique approach to managing information in that discipline, and all programs require that the student be able to effectively access and document the information they need.
in-text citation = citation in the body of your paper or reference project. Usually refers the reader to the references, works cited, or bibliography at the end of the project.
interlibrary loan = also known as ILL (when librarians say it, we say I. L. L., not ill). It refers to the process of sharing materials among libraries. You can "interlibrary loan" materials from other campuses in our Globe Education Network library and beyond. Please contact your librarian for details.
keyword = a type search word. Also, a type of search, which is different than "subject searching." Find keyword searching tips.
library instruction = When a librarian comes to your classroom or invites you to the library or to a webinar about the library, that's library instruction. The library has a lot of great resources, library instruction is the way librarians tell you about what's available.
peer-reviewed = this term is related to "scholarly" sources. Peer-reviewed materials have gone through the peer-review process before being published. This means that these sources have been critically appraised by other scholars in the same field of study.
periodical = your librarian may refer to any magazine, journal, e-journal, serial, newsletter, or newspaper as a periodical. These are publications that are published periodically - on a set schedule.
plagiarism = academic dishonesty. It is stealing others' words or ideas.
reference books = books that contain facts or overview information for a topic or number of topics. You won't be able to borrow these books.
references = also known as list of references. These appear at the end of a research project. They are referred to by the in-text citations. References are used by the audience or reader to find the original source that was cited. Reference citations will list the full information about the sources.
resource = referrs to any library research tool. A book, e-book, magazine, newspaper, report, video, or article are all considered library resources.The library pays for and/or organizes resources for you.
search strings = words combined by boolean operators to create complex searches
Example: fishing AND globalization - this is a search string using the boolean operator AND
search term = keyword
serial = Your librarian may refer to a periodical, magazine, journal, e-journal, newsletter, or newspaper as a serial.
subject headings = the controlled vocabulary used for subject searching
subject searching = a type of search which uses subject headings. It's not the same as keyword searching.
webinar = online seminar
works cited = This is what the "references" or "bibliography" are called in MLA citation style.
Tuesday August 9, 2011