Basic Library Terms

Abstract - a non-critical, non-evaluative summary of a book, article, chapter, etc. Information necessary for finding the complete work is included.

Annotation - a descriptive note added to a list of books, magazine articles, pamphlets, etc. Distinguished from an abstract in that an annotation may be critical and/or evaluative.

Bibliography - a list of books, articles, pamphlets, and/or information sources. Bibliographies may be separate works or may be found at the end of books, chapter, articles, etc. They guide the reader to additional information on the subject and indicate what sources the author consulted in preparing the work.

Bound periodicals - issues of a magazine gathered together into a single book. For example, all 1979 issues of Chemical Abstracts are found in one book.

Call number - a group of letters and numbers which denote a particular item in the library. The call number is found in the upper left corner of the catalog card, and corresponds to the number on the book.

Citation - the information necessary to locate a specific work or a specific point of information; author, title, page numbers, etc.

Classification - an organization of books by subject. Each book is assigned a unique call number based on its subject an author. The Dewey Decimal System and Library of Congress system are commonly used.

Concordance - a keyword index to words, phrases, and passages. Similar to keyword index.

Cross reference - a card in the catalog which suggests another heading to look under.

Documentation - facts cited in support of a statement made, or conclusion drawn by the author.

Footnote - a citation which gives credit to the original author for a quotation or statement made in a paper, or an explanation of a statement in the text

Government publications - also know as Government Documents. These are works issued by United States federal, state, and municipal governments, foreign governments, and international governmental organizations.

Holdings - materials house in a library or department of a library.

Index - a list of topics, names, titles, etc. which indicate where information on these items can be found.

Keyword index - an index arranged alphabetically by major or significant words in passages or titles.

Library of Congress Subjects Headings List - terms used by the library of congress to describe and classify areas of knowledge, listed in a two-volume set of books. These books will help you when searching for information.

Microforms - printed items that have been photographically reduced in size, requiring special equipment for reading. Newspaper and periodicals commonly appear as microforms. There are several types of microforms, such as:

• Microfiche: 4" x 6" card
• Microfilm: a roll of photographic film

Periodical - an item, which is published on a regular basis. Journal, magazine, and periodical are often used synonymously.

Reference desk - desk at which a librarian can be consulted, and where some very current or heavily used books are kept.