Libraries, like many organizations, have their own vocabulary. This list of terms intends to assist those unfamiliar with the many words and phrases often used in the library and academic environment.
ABSTRACT
: An abbreviated, accurate representation of a work, usually accompanying a bibliographic reference to an original work. Lengthier and more detailed than an annotation.
ACCESS SERVICES : Department of library responsible for providing service to check out circulating, reserve or interlibrary loan materials. Also responsible for shelving materials. ( See CIRCULATION .)
ARCHIVES : Organized body of records generated by the transactions of an organization. The term is also used to describe the place where archives are kept. Drexel University 's archives are located on the lower level of the library. The Archives and Special Collections on Women in Medicine and Homeopathy can be reached at 215-842-7331.
BARCODE : Small label placed on library materials that identifies the item. This label, consisting of many closely spaced bars that can be read by a computer, represent numbers, which are usually visible on the label.
BINDERY : Department in the library responsible for gathering and binding periodicals or dissertations and theses. Binding is done to preserve materials for easier and longer use. Most libraries send out their materials to professional binderies.
BOUND VOLUME : All the material contained in one volume.
BORROWING : (a book, video, etc.) To be allowed to remove an item from the library, usually for a given period of time. ( See CHARGE OUT .)
CALL NUMBER : Symbols identifying a particular item in the library collection and indicating its location on shelves in the library. The call number usually represents a subject or discipline and placed on the spine of a book
CATALOG : List of books, periodicals, videotapes, or other materials owned by a library. This can be in card format or in online electronic format. The Drexel Libraries' catalog is online.
CHARGE OUT : Same as to "check out" or borrow a book.
CIRCULATION : Desk where materials are charged out ("checked out"). ( See ACCESS SERVICES .)
CITATION : Information that identifies a book, periodical article, or other format. In a book this consists often of the title, author, publisher, and year of publication. In an article, the author and title of the article, title of the source periodical, volume and issue, date of publication and page numbers of the article.
DATABASE : Any organized collection of computer records, which can be in print or available on a computer.
DOCUMENT DELIVERY : Service that provides copies of articles, books, or other items, either as part of Interlibrary Loan (see below) or of in-house items.
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ELC- ELECTRONIC LEARNING CENTER : Service desk and area in the Hagerty Library that lends personal computers, software, videotapes, slides. Health Sciences Libraries AV materials and software can be checked out at the Hahnemann Library Microcomputer Center and at the Queen Lane Libraries' circulation desk.
HOLD : A request for library materials that are checked out or not found. Once the book is found or recalled, it will be held for the requester who has placed the hold. Holds can be placed from the online catalog and picked up at the libraries' circulation desks.
HOLDINGS : Items (books, periodicals, et al.) owned by a library.
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INDEX : A systematic guide for accessing the contents of articles, books, or reports.
INFORMATION SERVICES : Department of the library that provides intellectual access to the collections of the library. This includes assisting library users in their knowledge and use of the library. ( See REFERENCE / INFORMATION DESK.)
INTERLIBRARY LOAN : Service that provides book, articles, or other library materials. (Part of Document Delivery listed above.)
ITEM : Each physical piece of material included in the library collection, e.g. book, periodical. Also any bibliographic item existing in the OPAC as an electronic record.
LIBRARY OF CONGRESS (LC) SUBJECT HEADINGS : A classification system developed and used at the Library of Congress and adopted by most academic libraries. The subjects are assigned specific letters and numbers for specific subjects. These subjects and numbers are displayed on the online record for any item in the library. (See the bright red volumes at the Hagerty Reference/Information Desk.)
LOCATION : Where a book, journal, or other item is kept in the library.
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MEDICAL SUBJECT HEADINGS (MeSH) : A classification system developed and used at the National Library of Medicine and adopted by most health sciences libraries. The subjects are assigned specific letters and numbers for specific subjects. These subjects and numbers are displayed on the online record for any item in the library. ( See the black book available at the Health Sciences Libraries. )
MICROFORMS : General term for all types of micro-reproduction technology, e.g. microfilm, microfiche. These formats were used both to preserve the material and save space in the library.
ONLINE CATALOG : (also known as an OPAC) A catalog of library items in machine-readable format.
PERIODICALS : Items published and appearing on regular or stated intervals and that are intended to appear indefinitely. Newspapers, magazines, journals, yearbooks, etc., are all periodicals.
PRESERVATION : Library activities that maintain library and archival materials for use, either in their original form or in some other way, e.g. microform or digitization, to prevent their damage or disintegration.
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REFERENCE : Reference refers to a location in the library for books. It also refers to books designed by arrangement and treatment of subject matter to be used for factual or conceptual items of information, rather than for cover-to-cover reading. Reference books usually do not circulate.
REFERENCE/INFORMATION DESK : Service Desk which provides factual and reference information. Hagerty's reference/information desk is located on entrance level under the atrium. Hahnemann Library's desk is located across from the circulation desk. Ask for help at the Queen Lane Libraries' circulation desks.
RESERVE : A collection of materials selected by library staff or professors and kept separate for use by Drexel patrons for assignments, exam preparation, or high demand. This makes for easier use by many people. At Hagerty the Reserve Book Room is on the first floor adjacent to the circulation desk. (Not to be confused with Reference .) The Health Sciences' Libraries' reserve collections are located at their circulation desks.
SERIALS : Any library item that appears as part of a regularly (and sometimes irregularly) succession. ( See periodicals .)
STACKS : Shelves that hold books and periodicals.
SUBJECT HEADINGS : Words used in library catalogs (in print or online) to describe the contents of a book, journal, or other items. Since there are often many terms to describe a topic, libraries attempt to standardize the vocabulary in their catalogs. Hagerty and many other academic libraries use the LIBRARY OF CONGRESS SUBJECT HEADINGS. The Health Sciences Libraries use MeSH or MEDICAL SUBJECT HEADINGS.
TECHNICAL SERVICES : Department of the library responsible for acquiring, preserving, cataloging, and processing materials.
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VOLUMES : Library materials that are contained in one binding. Individual issues of periodicals are often bound together into a single item for organization, and preservation. Monographic items are sometimes issued in more than one item.
