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Reese Library Glossary of Terms.

abstract - Brief summary of the content of a book, article, speech, report, dissertation, etc.

abstracting service - An indexing service which provides both a citation and an abstract for each book or article listed, e.g., Psychological Abstracts.

Acquisitions - Department within the Library responsible for ordering and purchasing new materials. If the GIL online catalog says the item you need is "on order," the Acquisitions Department has placed an order, but the item has not yet arrived from the publisher or distributor.

acronym - A word formed from the first (or first few) letters of several words; for example GIL, Reese Library's online (computerized) catalog, stands for GALILEO Interconnected Libraries (GIL).

almanac - An annual publication containing astronomical data, weather forecasts, maps, dates, and tables of other useful information. In Reese Library, the current edition The World Almanac and Book of Facts is kept on the Ready Reference shelf next to the Reference Desk.

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

annual - Published once a year, every year.

anthology - Collection of stories, plays, and/or poems, selected by an editor.

atlas - A book of maps. Some atlases are thematic, for example: The Times Atlas of World Exploration.

author - Writer of a book, essay, story, play, poem, etc. Some books have two or more coauthors. In an AUTHOR Search in the GIL online catalog, the term "author" is used in its broadest sense to include coauthor, editor, playwright, director, composer, performer, etc.

autobiography - Account of one's life written by oneself. See also: biography.

bibliography - List of references at the end of a book or article. Long bibliographies may be published separately in book form. Style manuals for various bibliographical formats often used for research papers (APA, MLA, etc.) are available on the Ready Reference shelf next to the Reference Desk.

biennial - Published every two years.

biography - Account of a person's life, written by another. The person who writes a biography is the "biographer." The person written about is known as the "biographee." See also: autobiography.

;BIP - An acronym which stands for Books in Print, an electronic database which indexes (by author, title, and subject) books currently available for purchase. BIP is available through GALILEO.

book drop - Slot for returning books to the library. There are two book drops on the front and west outside walls of the library for use when the library is closed. An inside book drop is located on the front of the Circulation desk.

Boolean searching - A method of combining concepts in a keyword search which allows the searcher to make use of logical commands (sometimes called "operators").

call number - Unique location code which appears on the spine of a book, and also in the entry in the GIL online catalog which represents the work. Reese Library uses Library of Congress call numbers which begin with letters of the alphabet. Example: PR4560 .A2 C37 1994.

Cataloging - The department in the library responsible for entering all the information necessary about library materials in the online catalog to make them accessible to patrons.

CD-ROM - Stands for "Compact Disc Read-Only Memory." A medium for publishing and storing information in digital format, similar to audio compact discs.

checkout period - Items in the circulating collection may be checked out of the Library for a fixed period of time. In Reese Library.

circulating collection - Books and other materials which may be checked out by registered borrowers. Books with call numbers A-Q are shelved on the third floor of Reese Library; call numbers R-Z are on the second floor.

Circulation Desk - Located on the first floor of Reese Library, the Circulation Desk is where books and other materials are checked in and out of the library. Reserve materials are located here.

citation - A written reference to a specific work (book, article, report, musical composition, etc.) by a particular author or creator. Citation format varies from one publication to another. Your professor may specify a particular citation style for a research paper. Please see APA and MLA style manuals on the Ready Reference shelf next to the Reference Desk.

collected work - A book of works by different authors (essays, stories, poems, plays), selected for publication by an editor. See also: anthology.

compact disc - Sound recording medium. In Reese Library, the compact disc collection is kept in the Audio Lab on the third floor. The Audio Lab is also equipped with listening equipment.

Curriculum Center - Located in University Hall. Contains educational curriculum materials for use by education students.

database - A continuously updated file of related information, abstracts, or references on a particular subject, arranged for ease and speed of search/retrieval on a computer. Most library databases are periodical indexes.

descriptor - Some computerized databases, for example ERIC and PsycInfo, have their own list of published subject headings called "descriptors." In the electronic record which lists a specific work, the descriptors assigned to the work appear in the DE field.

directory - Book which lists the names, addresses, and phone/FAX numbers of a specific group of persons, companies, organizations, or publications. In the Reese Library, most directories are shelved in the reference collection.

display rack - Located in the Circulation Area and in the Reference Room. The handouts available on the display rack explain how to use library resources and services. They are free to ASU students, faculty, and staff.

dissertation - A formal and lengthy written discourse or treatise, especially one required by universities in partial fulfillment of requirements for a Ph.D. Dissertations are indexed by subject in Dissertation Abstracts, available on GALILEO. Dissertations may be ordered (photocopied or on microfiche) from University Microfilms Inc. (UMI) for a fee. Please ask at the Reference Desk.

download - To transfer data or program files from a central computer to a peripheral computer or storage device, such as a diskette. Results from CD-ROM or GALILEO searches may be downloaded to your own floppy disk for use on another computer.

due date - When library materials are checked out of the Library at the Circulation Desk, each item is stamped with the date by which it must be returned to the Library. Fines are charged for items returned after the due date, unless the item has been renewed. Lost items are billed to the borrower. See also: overdue.

edition - Some books (particularly reference books) are revised and republished. The new version is often called the "revised" or "second" edition. Subsequent revisions are numbered sequentially. The latest edition is the most current, but older editions may contain useful information deleted from later editions.

encyclopedia - A book or set of books which contains information about topics arranged in alphabetical order. Multi-volume encyclopedias often include an index in the last volume.

endnote - Reference at the end of a work documenting words or ideas taken from another source. See also: footnote.

ERIC - Stands for Educational Resource Information Center, a federally-funded clearinghouse which publishes an index with abstracts to journal articles and unpublished research reports in education and related fields. Available in print on the in the Reference Room, on CD-ROM on the CD Network and on GALILEO.

excerpt - Selection or fragment from a writing or other work.

fines - Most libraries charge a small fee for each day (or hour) a circulating item is kept past its due date. Reese Library charges 25 cents per day for most materials and 25 cents per hour for reserve materials. Items (except reserves) may be renewed on the due date for an additional checkout period, unless a hold has been placed by another person.

footnote - Reference at the bottom of a page documenting words or ideas taken from another source. See also: endnote.

GALILEO - Stands for Georgia Library Learning Online, a project sponsored by the Board of Regents of the University System of Georgia. GALILEO offers access to many different types of databases and other information resources. GALILEO databases may be accessed at all networked campus computers and by students & faculty off campus, using a password which can be obtained at the Reference Desk, or through your personal account in GIL.

GIL - an acronym for Georgia Interconnected Libraries. GIL is the online catalog for Reese Library.

government documents - Publications of U.S. Federal government, including hearings, reports, treaties, periodicals (i.e. Monthly Labor Review), and statistics (U.S. Census). Most are shelved on the second floor of Reese Library by SuDocs number.

GPO - U.S. Government Printing Office. The GPO Catalog of government documents is available on GALILEO. Its print equivalent is the Monthly Catalog of U.S. Government Publications.

handbook - Compact reference book which provides useful information on a specific subject. Statistical information is often provided in handbooks. Example: Statistical Handbook on the American Family.

hardcopy - Material printed on paper, as opposed to information in microform or in digital (computerized) format.

hold - If the book you need is checked out, you may request at the Circulation Desk that a "hold" be placed on the item. The person who checked it out will not be permitted to renew it, and you will be next in line to check it out after it has been returned.

holdings - All the materials (print and nonprint) owned by a library. In the GIL online catalog, ASU holdings for an item usually appear in the middle of the screen of the brief record display, under the bar that says Library Holdings. Sometimes below this area you will see the message "Press (Return) for more holdings" or "No holdings at this location. Press (Return for holdings at other locations." When you see this message, pressing the Return or Enter key will bring up additional holdings information. When the Library Holdings area says "Serial," check the blue-covered Serials Printout for complete holdings information.

http:// - An Internet address prefix which stands for "HyperText Transfer Protocol." HTTP is the language used by the Internet to access information available electronically on the World Wide Web.

InfoSquare - Computers in Reese Library reserved for use in accessing Library and other information resources.

Interlibrary Loan - If the book or periodical article you need is not available in Reese Library, you may fill out a printed request form at the Reference Desk to borrow the item from another library. To request Interlibrary Loan electronically, log on to the Reese Library Home Page at this Internet address: http://www.aug.edu/~library/ and click on Library Services, then Interlibrary Loan.

Internet -- Fiber-optic computer network which connects computers all over the world, enabling computer users to communicate via e-mail, find information on the World Wide Web, and access remote computer systems such as library catalogs.

Internet Explorer -- A software program for browsing sites on the World Wide Web (WWW). Access to Internet Explorer is available in the Computer Labs and on the Research Workstations in the Library.

ISBN - International Standard Book Number. Unique ten-digit publisher's I.D. number for a specific edition of a book. Usually printed on the reverse side of the title page.

ISSN - International Standard Serial Number. Unique eight-digit number which identifies a specific serial title.

issue - All the copies of a specific periodical published on the same date. A subscription entitles the subscriber to receive one copy of each issue. In libraries, all the issues of a periodical published during the same calendar year are usually bound together in a single annual volume.

journal - Scholarly periodical devoted to a specific field or subfield of knowledge. Most journal articles are more than five pages long and include a bibliography or list of works cited. Journal articles often include a paragraph at the beginning, called an abstract, which summarizes the main points of the article.

juvenile collection - Books written for children. In Reese Library, children's books are located on the second floor near the current display periodicals.

keyword(s) - The GIL online catalog (as do most online databases) includes a keyword search option which allows users to type keywords describing their topic, in any order. After you select Keyword Searching, the GIL system will retrieve all the records containing the keywords typed. See also: Boolean searching.

library instruction - Professors sometimes bring their classes to the library for instruction in library research methods. Instruction sessions are usually held in the Library Instruction Room (304).

Library of Congress Subject Heading (LCSH) - Word or phrase assigned by the Library of Congress to a book or nonprint item to indicate what it is about. In Subject search in the GIL online catalog, you must type an official Library of Congress subject heading for your topic. The complete list of Library of Congress Subject Headings is published in a multi-volume set of large red books near the Reference Desk.

magazine - Popular or general interest periodical. Often includes color graphics and advertising. Usually printed on glossy paper. Articles are short (1-3 pages) and usually written by paid staff writers. Most popular magazines are published weekly or monthly. Example: Psychology Today.

media - Nonprint materials such as films, filmstrips, videocassettes, audio compact disks, audiocassettes, and LPs (vinyl). Audio CDs are kept in the Audio Lab on the third floor of the library. Most other media resources are located at Media Services in Hardy Hall.

Media Services Center - Located in University Hall. Houses ASU's media library, including video tapes, audio tapes and CD's. Also provides services such as the production of presentation materials.

microfiche - Card-shaped piece of film, used for storage of miniaturized text. ERIC documents are available on microfiche in the gray filing cabinets in the back of the Microform Room on the second floor of the library, filed numerically by 6-digit ED number. Back issues of some periodicals are also available on microfiche in the Microform Room filed alphabetically by periodical title. For copying take the microfiche to the Circulation Desk.

microfilm - Continuous roll of film, used for storage of miniaturized text. Microfilm materials are stored alphabetically by title in boxes in the Microform Room on the second floor of the library. For copying take the microfilm to the Circulation Desk.

microform - Film medium for storage of miniaturized text images. Includes both microfilm and microfiche.

monograph - A book complete in one part or a finite number of separate parts.

monthly - Published once a month, or twelve times per year. Many popular magazines are published monthly.

Netscape - A software program for browsing sites on the World Wide Web (WWW). Access to Netscape is available in the Computer Labs and on the Research Workstations in the Library.

newspaper - A publication printed and distributed daily or weekly containing news, opinions, advertising, and other items of general interest. Usually printed on newsprint. Reese Library subscribes to theNew York Times, the Wall Street Journal, the Atlanta Constitution, and the Augusta Chronicle. Current 2-3 months are on paper in the Current Display area on the second floor. Older issues are on microfilm in the Microform Room on the second floor. Newspaper indexes are in Reference Room. Current editions of many other newspapers are available on the Internet.

noncirculating - Some library materials may not be checked out. Noncirculating materials in Reese Library include reference books, items in Special Collections, periodicals, and periodical indexes.

nonprint - Materials published in a format other than print on paper, including microfilm and microfiche, audiocassettes, compact disks, films, videocassettes, and digitized information such as computer files.

online - Accessible via a computer or computer network. Generally synonymous with the words "automated," "computerized," and "electronic."

OPAC - An acronym which stands for "Online Public Access Catalog." A computer catalog of the books and other materials owned by a library. In Reese Library, the OPAC is called GIL.

overdue - An item from the circulating collection which has been kept by the borrower past its due date. Reese Library charges fines for overdue materials. Overdue charges can be avoided by renewing an item on its due date.

patrons - People who use the library.

periodical - Publication issued in soft-cover more than once, usually at regular intervals and intended to continue indefinitely. Includes newspapers, newsletters, magazines, and journals. Sold at newsstands and/or by subscription. Libraries usually bind all the issues published during a specific calendar year in a single volume. Ulrich's International Periodical Directory lists most currently available periodicals. It is available on the Ready Reference shelf next to the Reference Desk. In Reese Library, most periodicals are shelved alphabetically by title on the second floor. Check the blue-covered Serials Printout for complete information on what periodicals we have and where they are. Periodicals may not be checked out. Photocopiers are available on the first and second floors (ten cents per page).

periodical index - Cumulative listing of periodical articles, alphabetically by subject and by author's last name. Most periodical indexes are devoted to a specific field (i.e. psychology) or type of periodical (i.e. newspapers). In Reese Library, periodical indexes are available in print and on GALILEO. To select the most appropriate periodical index for your topic, please ask the librarian at the Reference Desk for assistance.

photocopiers - Available on the first and second floors of the library.

publication date - Year in which a book was published. The publication date can usually be found on the back (verso) of the title page. For periodicals, the publication date is the month and year (or month/day/year) in which a specific issue was published. The publication date can usually be found on the front cover and on the title page of a periodical.

publisher - Company (or person) which prepares and issues print or nonprint material for public distribution and/or sale.

quarterly - Published four times a year, usually in spring, summer, fall, and winter. Many scholarly journals are published quarterly.

Ready Reference - Shelves located next to the Reference Desk which house reference books in high demand, such as Encyclopedia of Associations, The World Almanac & Book of Facts, Statistical Abstract of the U.S., and style manuals.

Reese Library Home Page - Reese Library maintains an extensive Home Page on the World Wide Web.

reference book - Books such as dictionaries, encyclopedias, and directories, which are used to find specific information. Most reference books are shelved by Library of Congress call number in the reference stacks in the Reference Room. Reference books may not be checked out because they are needed on a daily basis to answer questions at the Reference Desk. Use the photocopiers for making copies of information in reference books. Please ask at the Reference Desk before taking a reference book out of the Reference Room for copying.

reference stacks - Shelves in the Reference Room where reference books are shelved by Library of Congress call number. Periodical indexes are shelved separately on index tables. See also: Ready Reference.

renew - Borrowers may check an item out for a second checkout period by coming to the Circulation Desk. A bar-coded ID card is required for renewals. If another person has placed a hold on the item, it may not be renewed. Fines are charged for items kept past their due date, unless they have been renewed.

reserves - Materials made available by professors for a limited borrowing period (one-hour, overnight, 3-day, or 7-day). Most reserves must be used in the Library. Reserve books are found at the Circulation Desk. The fine for overdue reserve materials is 25 cents per hour.

review - A critical discussion or article, published in a newspaper or magazine, dealing with a recent book, play, concert, etc. To find book reviews, use Book Review Digest in the Reference Room or on GALILEO.

serial - Same thing as a periodical.

stacks - Public areas where books and periodicals are shelved. In Reese Library books are shelved in Library of Congress call number order. See also: reference stacks.

stand-alone - Refers to a computer which is not connected to a network.

stop word - In a keyword search, short words which occur very frequently may be excluded. Each electronic database has its own list of stop words. Examples: a, an, for, of, on, the, to, with.

style manual - Guide which provides formats for typing footnotes and bibliographies. Style manuals are available on the Ready Reference shelf next to the Reference Desk. Examples: MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers, Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association.

subscription - The right to receive a periodical for a fixed period of time in exchange for payment of a fixed sum. Most subscriptions are delivered by mail and renewed annually.

subtitle - Portion of a work's title following the semicolon or colon. For example, in the title Appraising Personality: An Introduction, the words An Introduction constitute the subtitle.

SuDocs number - Publications of the U.S. government are usually not given Library of Congress.. Government documents are assigned a different system of call numbers by the U.S. Superintendent of Documents. In Reese Library, the government documents collection is shelved on the second floor according to SuDocs number. SuDocs numbers begin with letters of the alphabet. Example: HE 20.30:112/1 (SuDocs number for January 1997 issue of Public Health Reports)

table of contents - List of chapters or topics covered (with page numbers) in the front of a book, following the title page. In an anthology, the Table of Contents lists the titles of the works (stories, poems, plays, essays) selected for inclusion by the editor.

thesaurus - Book of synonyms. Sometimes includes contrasting words (antonyms). Can also mean a list of terms and concepts representing the specialized vocabulary of a particular field. Examples: Thesaurus of ERIC Descriptors.

title - Name of a book, essay, story, play, poem, picture, statue, piece of music, film, etc. A work published under many different titles is often cataloged under a well-known or "uniform" title (example: Bible). Some titles include a subtitle following a colon or semicolon. Translations sometimes have an alternate title in the original language.

title page - Page in the front of a book which gives the complete title, the name of the author(s) or editor(s), name of translator, publisher, and place of publication. Publication date and ISBN are usually printed on the back (verso) of the title page.

truncation - In a keyword search, a word root followed by the truncation symbol will retrieve variant endings. Truncation is useful for retrieving both the singular and the plural forms of a word at the same time. See also: Boolean searching. In GIL, the truncation symbols are the question mark (?) and the pound sign (#). In the following keyword search, GIL retrieves records containing "theater," "theatre," "theatrical," "dramatic," "dramatically," etc. Example: fi theat? or drama? Some other databases use an asterisk (*) as a truncation symbol

tutorial - A manual designed to teach novices how to use a computer system, usually in a step-by-step way. Some databases include an online tutorial.

URL - An acronym which stands for "Uniform Resource Locator." Each resource on the World Wide Web has its own address or URL. For example, the URL of the GALILEO Home Page is: http://www.galileo.peachnet.edu . The first part of the URL (http://) indicates that the resource is a hypertext document. The second part of the URL shows the location of the document.

volume - Book in a numbered set or series of books. For periodicals, all the issues published during a specific calendar year are usually bound in a single annual volume. Volumes are numbered sequentially, beginning with number one for the first year in which the periodical was published.

Web browser - A sophisticated software program which allows the user to search for information available electronically on the World Wide Web. At the present time, the most popular Web browser is Netscape. Netscape is on Computer Lab Computers and on the Library Research Workstations.

weekly - Published once a week. Many popular magazines (and some newspapers) are published weekly.

World Wide Web - Global network of information available on computers connected to the Internet. Most Web pages are written in HTML script.

WWW - An acronym which stands for "World Wide Web."

yearbook - An annual documentary, historical, or memorial publication containing information about the previous year. Yearbooks are usually shelved in the reference collection.

This Glossary is adapted from the ODLIS: Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science at Western Connecticut State University Libraries, Danbury, CT.