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Scroll through the entire
glossary or search alphabetically. A
AACR2: Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, 2nd edition.
Accession number: 1) A number assigned to a book or
item as it is received by the library, through continuous numbering or a coded
system. 2) Sequential numbers assigned by distribution centers to
publications.
Acq: Abbreviation of Acquisitions.
Acquisition work: The process of securing materials
for the library's collection. Material can be secured by purchase, as gifts,
or through exchange programs.
Acronym: A word formed from the initial letters of a name,
such as ALA or AACR2.
Added entry: Any entry made in addition to the
main entry. Added entries can be made for joint authors, illustrators,
editors, compilers, translators, series, title, and subjects.
Advance: The online bibliographic database we share with the
Idaho State Library (ISL). Also called Catalyst.
ALA: Acronym for American Library
Association.
Albertsons Library Checklist of Idaho
Publications:
A published bibliography of items in the Library's collection about Idaho or
by Idaho authors. The bibliography is an on-going project, compiled by a
member of the Acquisitions Department. (Also known as the Idaho Bibliography.)
Allocation: Designated funds.
American Library Association:
The national organization and lobby group for people who work in libraries.
(Acronym: ALA)
Analytical entry: An entry for a part of a work or
for a whole work that is part of a series for which a comprehensive entry is
made.
Annual: A serial work that is issued once a year.
Appropriated funds: Funds that have been allocated to
specific subject areas for the current fiscal year as part of the library
budget.
Approval plan: An agreement between a library
and a supplier that allows the supplier to automatically send the library one
copy of each item he has on a specified subject or in a particular format. The
library is allowed a certain amount of time to examine the material, select
the items it will purchase, and return unwanted items.
Archival: Of a quality suitable for, or
deserving of, long-term storage. Archival paper will not fall apart over time
like most paper used in the last 30 years does.
Archives: A department in the Albertsons
Library, which houses materials intended to be kept for historical purposes.
ASCII: Acronym for American Standard Code for Information
Interchange; a character coding system widely used as a framework for computer
communication.
Audiovisual: Non-book material such as records,
tapes, slides, filmstrips, video-tapes and discs. (see also non-book
material).
Author: The person or entity chiefly responsible for the
intellectual or artistic content of a work. Corporate
author; personal author.
Author entry: The name of the author of a work
used as an entry in the catalog. This is usually the main entry.
Authority file: A record of the proper form of
names, subjects, or series used in a catalog. The purpose of an authority file
is to maintain uniform entries.
Autobiography: an account of a person's life
written by that person. B
Back title: see spine title.
Backfiles: Non-current periodical issues
purchased to fill holes in our collection of a particular title.
Barcode: A code arranged in a series of parallel lines or
bars, representing data that is transferred by a bar code scanner for
computer use. Used on most
library materials.
Batch processing: A method of processing in which
items are collected into groups before being processed by the computer.
BBIP: Acronym for British Books in
Print.
BCL3: Acronym for Books for College
Libraries, 3rd edition.
Bibliographic database: A database containing
records made up of bibliographic information and designed to identify and
locate relevant items.
Bibliographic information: Bibliographic
details needed for ordering or requesting any library material, sufficient to
identify the item. In its fullest coverage the term includes author, title,
publisher, place of publication, year of publication, edition, series note,
number of volumes, parts, and/or supplements, and list or estimated price.
With certain types of books the editor or translator is necessary as an
identifying detail. In the case of rare books, exact pagination should be
included. (Sometimes known as "trade information.")
Bibliographic record: a description of an item which
includes author, title, imprint, subject headings, and a physical description,
in a standardized form such as a record in an index (computer or paper) for a
book or a periodical article.
Bibliography: A list of references to books,
journal articles, and other materials, on a particular topic or by a
particular author. Bibliographies are frequently found at the end of a book,
journal or encyclopedia article, or in a separate publication.
Binder's title: The title imprinted on the binding
of a book. This title may differ from the title on the title page if the book
was rebound, or from the title on the original binding.
Biography/Biographical: An account of a person's
life written by someone else. Biographical sources either contain these
accounts or help to locate them.
BIP: Acronym for Books in Print.
Bit: A unit of information. The smallest unit of
information in a computer memory. An abbreviation for binary digit.
Bk: Abbreviation for book.
Blanket order: A method of acquisition very
similar to the approval plan. The distinction between the two systems is that
with a blanket order the library agrees to buy one copy of everything the
supplier sends.
BOD: Acronym for UMI Books on Demand.
Book bindings: Cloth: Most
modern books are bound in cloth, which signifies cloth glued to boards (thick
pasteboard). Wraps:
Paperback books and many pamphlets are bound in wraps (thin or thick pages, or
very thin pasteboard). Boards:
Many old books were bound in boards (pasteboard) covered in paper. Leather:
Most leather bound books are thin leather over boards. Combination:
Many books are bound in a combination of the above. For example 3/4
leather/boards, 1/2 tan leather/cloth. Flex-M: A
type of binding which uses cardboard. Flex-S:
A type of binding which uses buckram.
Book condition: Used by book dealers' to describe
used, out of print and rare books.
Mint: As new condition with the "smell of the printing
press." Fine:
As almost new condition. Very good:
Better than good but not quite fine. Good plus:
Sometimes used to bridge the gap between good and very good. Good:
No bad faults, just average with nothing missing, intact and firm. Fair:
Sometimes used to bridge the gap between good and reading copy. Reading copy:
Just barely present, generally complete but badly battered.
Book jacket: A paper cover placed around a book
to protect the binding. Sometimes called a dust jacket (dj), dust cover, or
dust wrapper.
Book size: Relates to the size of a closed
book when looking it square in the face. The height of a regularly
proportioned book is sometimes used as a guide line when describing size. (The
size description of a book originated with the approximate size of that book
as compared to the average size of the old English newspaper page. For example
a quarto (4to) book would require approximately 4 copies that size to flat out
fill the page of an old English newspaper page, octavo (8vo) would require 8,
etc.) Folio:
("foldeo", for memory only) usually 15 inches or so in height,
requiring maybe close to 2 to equal the size of an old English newspaper.
Most library atlases are at least folio in size. Quarto:
(4to). (Requires 4). Around 12 inches in height, the size of a standard
encyclopedia. Octavo:
(8vo). (Requires 8). Around 9 inches in height, the size of most quality non
fiction books, for example Webster's Collegiate Dictionary. Duodecimo:
(12mo). (Requires 12). Around 6-8 inches in height, the size of most cheap
printings of hardback fiction, for example cheap pulp printings of Zane Grey
books. (Most trade paperbacks are
in the range of 16mo or so. )
Books for College Libraries, 3rd edition:
A list of books which are considered essential for undergraduate college
libraries. (Acronym: BCL3.)
Books in Print: A main source for ascertaining
prices, authors' names, titles, publication dates and publishers of American
works that are still in print; issued in print and cd-rom format.
Also available on the Internet. (Acronym: BIP.)
Books on Demand: See UMI Books on
Demand.
Boolean operators: Used in searching a database to
indicate relationships among concepts and/or terms. Equivalent or synonymous
terms are connected with the OR Boolean operator. Distinct and unique concepts
are connected with the AND Boolean operator. The NOT Boolean operator precedes
concepts that need to be excluded from the search statement.
Bound Periodical: Several issues, often a year's
worth, of a journal or magazine that are fastened together (bound) between
hard covers so that they resemble a book.
British Books in Print: The British equivalent of
BIP; proper title: Whitaker's Books in Print. (Acronym: BBIP.)
Byte: A letter or word usually composed of eight bits,
which forms the smallest unit of information that can be accessed on a
computer.
C
Call number: The notation used to identify and
locate a particular work. The notation consists of a classification number and
book number and may also include other identifying symbols.
Canadian Books in Print: The Canadian equivalent of BIP. (Acronym: CBIP.)
Cancellation: 1) Issued by a vendor or
publisher if an item on order is not available. 2) Issued by the Library if an
order is found to be a duplicate, or has been outstanding for too long.
Card catalog: A list of library holdings using
cards in a file cabinet, arranged alphabetically by subjects, authors and
titles of books, and call numbers. Albertsons Library maintains its holdings
in Catalyst instead of a card catalog.
Carry forward: The amount of encumbered funds,
which have not been disbursed at the end of the fiscal year and are carried
forward into the following fiscal year's allocation.
Catalog: 1) A list of the holdings of a particular library or
group of libraries. 2) Issued by publishers to list items currently available.
Cataloging: The process of describing a work
bibliographically and assigning a call number. Includes determining the main
entry, describing the work, and assigning added entries, subject entries, and
a call number.
Cataloging in Publication: A program sponsored by the
Library of Congress. A partial bibliographic description is provided in each
book produced by cooperating publishers. (Acronym: CIP.)
Catalyst: The online bibliographic database
shared by Albertsons Library and the Idaho State Library (ISL). (Also called
Advance.)
CBIP: Acronym for Canadian Books in
Print.
CD-ROM: Acronym for Compact Disc - Read Only Memory.
Information technology which is used to store large databases and provide access to
them via computer. Examples of information stored on CD-ROMs are periodical
indexes, abstracts, statistics, directories, and other complete texts.
Chief source of information: The source of bibliographic data to be given preference as the source from which a bibliographic description (or portion thereof) is prepared.
CIP: Acronym for Cataloging in Publication.
Circa (Ca.): Approximately, or about. Often
used to estimate the approximate year a book was printed or published.
Citation: A complete reference to a
particular quote or to a source that has been used as an authority; a citation contains the author,
title, date of publication and any other information needed to locate the
item.
Claim: Any communication directed to an agent or source to
hasten delivery of overdue material.
Classification number: The number assigned to a
work to show its subject and to indicate its location in the collection.
Classification schedule: The printed scheme of a
classification system.
Collation: The element in a bibliographic
description that gives the number of pages, volumes, or illustrations, the
item's size, and accompanying materials.
Collection: The entire holdings of a library
or the works by one author or items on a particular subject.
Collection development: The process of identifying
the strengths and weaknesses of a library's information resources with respect
to patron needs and community resources, and of attempting to correct the
weaknesses. It requires a continual examination and evaluation of the
library's resources. Further, it requires a constant study of patron needs and
changes in the community the library serves.
Collective title: A title proper assigned to a work
that includes several works.
Colophon: An inscription or identifying
device sometimes found at the end of a book; it often includes such
publication information as typeface or printer.
Compiler: A person who produces a collection
by bringing together works by various persons or corporate bodies, or works by
one person or corporate body.
Composer: The author of music.
Conspectus: Literally, a general or comprehensive survey. Specifically, it is a database management system, developed by WLN to create, maintain, and report on collection assessment data.
Continuing resource: A bibliographic resource that is issued over time with no predetermined conclusion. Continuing resources include serials and ongoing integrating resources.
Copy cataloging: A method of cataloging library
materials in which a source record is copied or edited instead of creating a
new record.
Copy number: A number assigned to each item to
identify a specific copy if multiple copies are held; if no copy number is
present it is copy one.
Copy set: A subscription record maintained
on Advance; used by the Serials department to check-in items received.
Copy-to-history file: A microfiche file which archives
WLN acquisitions activity.
Copyright: The exclusive right granted by a
government to publish a work for a specified number of years. The copyright
protects the author and publisher by preventing others from copying the work
or a significant part of it without permission.
Copyright date: The date a copyright is issued;
usually found on the verso of the title page.
Corporate author: A corporate body, such as a
committee or business, which is responsible for a work. See also personal
author.
Corporate body: An organization or group of
persons that is identified by a name and that acts as the entity responsible
for a work. Corporate bodies include associations, conferences, institutions,
business firms, and governments.
Cover title: The title printed on the cover of
a book or pamphlet.
CRC: Acronym for Curriculum Resource Center.
Curriculum Resource Center:
A department of the library which specializes in the latest teaching tools for
primary and secondary education. It also houses the library's non-book
collection. (Acronym: CRC.)
Cutter number: A letter/number combination, which
appears as the second element in a call number, and arranges items within a
subject classification by author and/or title.
D
Database: A file of information maintained
and available for recall on a computer.
Delimiter: A special character used to
designate the beginning of a field, record, or string.
Descriptive cataloging: The cataloging process
concerned with describing a work, identifying the main entry, and selecting
added entries.
Desiderata: A list of items, which are
out-of-print or hard to obtain. Requestors have indicated that the title
should be added to the collection and searched on the out-of-print market.
Diacritic: Used in many foreign languages to
indicate differences in pronunciation and meaning between the marked letter
and its unmarked counterpart; usually take the form of marks placed over,
under, or through letters or combinations of letters.
Disbursing: A bookkeeping procedure that pays
for an item from encumbered funds.
Dissertation: A publication reporting original
research that is a requirement for a Ph.D. degree.
Document: Any item that is purchased for the
Library's document collection and that is printed by the U.S. Government
Printing Office (GPO). (Abbreviated: doc)
Download: To transfer data from a remote
computer to a local machine. In
Online searching refers to the transfer of search results from the remote Host
to the local PC.
Dup: Abbreviation of duplicate; used to show a new order
is the same as an item presently in the collection or that it has already been
ordered.
Dust jacket (dj): See book
jacket.
Dust cover: See book
jacket.
Dust wrapper: See book jacket.
E
Edition: All the impressions (copies) of a book printed at any
time from one setting of type. For non-book materials all of the impressions
made from a master copy by one company or agency.
Editor: A person who prepares for publication or supervises
the publication of a work or collection of works that are not his or her own.
Responsibility may extend to revising and providing commentaries, introductory
matter, etc.
E-mail: Abbreviation for electronic mail.
Encumbering: A bookkeeping procedure that
commits a given amount of money to the payment of an order. Each time an order
is placed an amount of money (encumbrance) equal to the total price of all
items in that order is deducted from the allocation.
End paper (E.P.): The first and last two, usually
blank, pages you see when a book is open. One half of the end paper(s) is
pasted to the inside of the cover and is sometime called the paste down end
paper. The other half (page) is called the free end paper.
Entry: A record of an item in a catalog. In addition to the
main entry, there are title entries, series entries, and other types of added
entries and subject entries.
F
FBIP: Acronym for French Books in Print.
FCB: Acronym for Forthcoming Books.
Federal Depository Library Program:
Established in 1895, and supported by the U.S. Congress, it distributes U.S.
documents to designated libraries. Some, but not all of the documents, are
technical reports.
Fiction: A literary work which is based on imagination and not
necessarily fact.
Field: That part of a record used for a specific category of
information in a machine-readable record. See also fixed field and variable
field.
Financial system: see People Soft.
Fiscal year: A 12-month period for which an
organization plans the use of its funds. The State of Idaho's fiscal year is
July 1 through June 30.
Fixed field: A field limited to a predetermined
size, content, and position in a machine-readable record. See also field and
variable field.
Forthcoming Books: Provides author, price,
publication date and publishers for very new American books, and for books
that will be published in the near future. Information is often given for
books that BIP does not list or which are listed as not yet published.
(Acronym: FCB.)
French Books in Print: the French equivalent of BIP; proper name: Livres disponibles. (Acronym: FBIP.)
FTP: Acronym for File Transfer Protocol; allows a user to
log on to a remote computer host and download those files to the local
machine. Anonymous FTP is the
procedure of connecting to a remote computer, as an anonymous or guest user,
in order to transfer public files back to a local computer.
G
GBIP: Acronym for German Books in Print.
German Books in Print: the German equivalent of BIP; proper title: Verzeichnis Lieferbarer Bucher. (Acronym: GBIP.)
Gift plate: Placed in the front of a book,
noting who donated the book or the funds used to purchase the book.
Gift slip: The form which is inserted into
individual gifts and used by librarians to indicate the disposition of the
gift, the results of searching the item in Catalyst, the donor, and the date
of receipt of the gift.
GPO: Acronym for United States Government Printing Office.
GTR: Acronym for Guide to Reprints.
Guide to Reprints: A cumulative guide to books,
journals, and other materials that are available in reprint form. (Acronym:
GTR.)
H
Half-title page: A brief or shortened title on the
leaf preceding the title page.
Hardware: The physical units of a computer
system.
Holdings statement: The individual titles a library
owns. It follows a bibliographic record and states that a particular library
owns this book. In an automated system it gives the call number used by a
particular library.
Homepage: A web page that is the designated
start position for any given organization or individual.
The homepage default can be changed in web browser client software. The
homepage is referred to by its URL, e.g. http://library.boisestate.edu.
See web page.
HTML: Acronym for Hypertext Markup Language. A document
formatting language used by the World Wide Web, which incorporates
"tags" (formatting codes) to mark up text. The tags control layout
and visual elements such as fonts, headers, titles, paragraph spacing, lists,
and other stylistic variables of appearance and also connote embedded
hyperlinks to other documents or web servers. HTML documents are ASCII files
and have .html or .htm as a filename extension.
HTTP: Acronym for Hypertext Transfer Protocol. The
client/server TCP/IP protocol used on the World Wide Web for the exchange of
HTML documents. HTTP is used in a URL when indicating a Web site.
Hypertext: A method for embedding special
links (hyperlinks) in documents. The links provide connections with related
data (text, images, or sounds) and resources, either local or remote.
I
IBIP: Acronym for International Books in
Print.
Idaho Bibliography: See Albertsons Library Checklist
of Idaho Publications.
Iexplore: Microsoft internet explorer, a
graphical web browser software client and user interface for browsing
Web sites and retrieving information.
ILL: Acronym for Interlibrary loan.
Illustrative matter: Pictorial matter appearing in a
work. Includes pictures, portraits, charts, graphs, maps, and facsimiles.
Impression: All the copies of an edition
produced at one time.
Imprint: 1) Publisher's name, place of publication, and date
of publication for a book. 2) A mark or pattern produced on a surface. In
print: An item currently available from the producer; the term is used
primarily in connection with the book trade.
Index: 1) A list of names and subjects in a book, each
followed by the page number(s) where it appears; a guide to the contents. 2) A
tool that arranges (by author, title, or subject) citations to articles in a
selected group of periodicals; may be print or electronic format.
Integrating resource: A bibliographic resource that is added to or changed by means of updates that do not remain discrete and are integrated into the whole. Integrating resources can be finite or continuing. Examples of integrating resources include loose-leafs and updating Web sites.
Interlibrary loan: A service to obtain from other
libraries, books and journals which Albertsons Library does not own and
patrons have requested. (Acronym: ILL.)
International Books in Print:
Lists publications from around the world. Also contains an index of publishers
by ISBN and also by name. (Acronym: IBIP.)
Internet: An amalgamation of inter-related
computer networks permitting electronic communications on a global scale.
See also, World Wide Web.
Invoice: Billing from a publisher or an agent for library
materials received.
ISBD: Acronym for International Standard Bibliographic
Description. A standardized format for descriptive bibliographic information
compatible for computer input.
ISBN: Acronym for International Standard Book Number. A
unique ten-digit number assigned to each book published in the United States
as well as in other countries.
ISSN: Acronym for International Standard Serial Number. A
unique eight-digit number assigned to each serial title published.
Item: A single piece, such as one book, one video, one
microfiche, etc.
J
Journal: An ongoing publication that contains scholarly
articles written by professors, researchers, or experts in a particular
subject, field or discipline.
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