Library Terminology

Libraries use a number of special terms which can be confusing to library users. Below is a list of these terms with definitions.

Abstract

A non-evaluative summary of a book, journal article, or other information source. Often the term refers to an index that includes abstracts for materials indexed.

Bibliography

A list of information sources. Bibliographies usually include citations to book, journals, or other publications.

Bound Periodical or Journal

A single hard-bound volume comprised of several consecutive issues of a magazine or journal. For many titles a single bound volume contains an entire year of the title, although this can vary depending on the size and frequency of the publication.

Call Number

The number assigned to library materials for the purposes of shelving and location. ASU Libraries primarily use the Library of Congress call number system. Some collections within the library use other numbering systems such as the Dewey Decimal System (Curriculum Collection) or the SUDOC numbering system (Government Documents).

Check Out

To borrow library materials for a specified period of time. Materials may be checked out at the circulation desks of each library.

Circulation Desk

The counter in each library where users can borrow materials from the library by checking items out.

Citation

The basic information needed to find specific materials. For books this information usually included the author, title, place of publication, publisher, and date. For articles, the citation usually includes author, title, name of journal, date, volume, and pages. A collection of citations is called a bibliography.

Cross References

Directions in an index or other finding aid that direct you to look under a different or related term. These are also called see or see also references.

Database

A body of information in machine readable form which is searched on a computer terminal. Records for materials owned by the ASU Libraries comprise the ASU Libraries Online Catalog database.

Due Date or Date Due

The date by which borrowed materials must be returned to the library.

Entry

A citation or record in an index or catalog.

Folio

An oversized volume shelved in a special location for larger books.

Government Documents Service

A section of the library (Hayden Library, Level 3) where materials published by federal agencies and state and local government agencies can be found. Selected United Nations materials are also located in this department.

Index

A systematically arranged list giving enough information for each item to be found. Periodical indexes list articles in magazines, journals, and newspapers. An index of a book lists names and subjects with the page numbers where they can be found in the book.

Journal

A periodical which is usually considered more scholarly than a popular magazine. Journal articles usually contain footnotes and/or bibliographic references.

Interlibrary Loan

A service which allows users to obtain materials not owned by the ASU Libraries.

Library of Congress Classification

The system made up of letters and numbers which devides knowledge into subject areas. The system was devised by the Library of Congress and is the call number system used by the ASU Libraries.

Library of Congress Subject Headings

A word or phrase which indicates a book's subject. The ASU Libraries' Online Catalog uses terms from the Library of Congress Subject Headings.

Magazine

A periodical publication usually considered to be of more general or popular interest than a journal.

Microfiche

A sheet of film on which a printed book, journal, or other publication has been reduced in size.

Microfilm

A roll of film on which a book, journal, newspaper, or other publication has been reduced in size.

Microforms

Printed books, journals, or newspapers which have been reduced in size so that they must be read with special equipment. Microforms include microfiche, microfilm, and microcards.

Online Catalog

A computerized system for finding out what materials are owned by the library, the call number, location, and whether or not the item is checked out.

Periodical

A magazine, journal, newspaper, or annual publication which is published at regular intervals.

Recall

The procedure by which the library can request that materials currently checked out be returned to the library so that another person who has requested the materials can use them.

Reference Desk

The location in each library (or in some departments) which assists library user in locating specific information. Reference librarians are familiar with library research techniques and will guide you to the appropriate sources for the information needed. They can also teach you how to use the libraries' resources.

Reference Collection

A collection of library materials useful for supplying authoritative information or for identifying information sources. These materials are kept together near the Reference Desk and can not be removed from the library.

Renew

To extend the amount of time that materials can be borrowed. Renewal are done at the Circulation Desk or by telephone.

Reserve Collection

A collection of library materials that can only be checked out for a short period of time. Circulation is limited to assure access to all students who might need the materials.

"See" or "See Also" Reference

Directions in an index or other finding aid that direct you to look under a different or related term. These are also called cross references.

Serial

A publication issued in successive parts usually at regular intervals. Examples of serials include periodicals such as journals, magazines, newspapers, and annuals.

Stacks

The book shelves where most books are located.

Subject Guide

A bibliography prepared by ASU Library Subject Specialists which identifies research tools (indexes, abstracts, handbooks, etc.) related to a specific subject.

Subject Heading

A term or phrase which describes the subject content of a work. Most academic libraries use the Library of Congress Subject Headings.

Volume

While volume can be used to describe any group of pages bound together, it usually refers to a full set of issues which make up one year's worth of a single serial. Some periodicals publish more than one volume per year, while other serials may issue a single bound volume at irregular intervals.

Sources: Naomi Lederer, et. al, Glossary of Library Terminology for International Students (ASU Libraries, November 1991); Heartsill Young, ed., The ALA Glossary of Library and Information Science (Chicago: American Library Association, 1983).