Library Glossary

abstract	A summary of a work (article, book, etc.).
bibliography	A list of works (books, journal articles, etc.) usually listed in alphabetical order by author and title and usually supporting a specific topic or interest.
annotated bibliography	An annotation is a note accompanying an entry in a bibliography, reading list, or catalog intended to describe, explain, or evaluate the publication referred to. More information.
bound volume	Several issues of a periodical (journal, magazine, newspaper) bound together under one cover.
browser	The software program that lets you navigate the World Wide Web. Internet Explorer, Mozilla, Firefox and Opera are examples of browsers.
call number	A set of letters and numbers identifying a particular item in a library collection. Most university libraries (including UNF) use the Library of Congress Classification. Most public libraries use the Dewey Decimal Classification.
catalog	A list of materials (books, journals, maps, videos, etc.) owned by a library. Since most libraries are now computerized, a more current definition would be a database of records for materials owned or accessed by a library.
citation	Information identifying a book or article. Book information includes author, title, publisher and date of publication. Article information includes author, title of article, name of journal or magazine, volume, pages and date. Same as bibliographic citation.
course reserves	Materials held for instructors for students in a class to read. These items can usually be checked out for a short time period.
database	An organized collection of records, standardized in format and content.
field	A defined subdivision of a record. A collection of fields make up a record.
holdings	Volumes, copies and/or issues owned by the Library.
HTTP	HyperText Transfer Protocol. The communications protocol used to connect to servers on the World Wide Web.
IP address	Internet Protocol address. The physical address of a computer attached to a network.
ISBN	International Standard Book Number - a number that identifies a specific book.
ISSN	International Standard Serial Number - a number that identifies a specific serial (journal, magazine, newspaper, etc.).
journal	A periodical containing scholarly articles and/or disseminating current information on research and development in a particular subject field.
LAN	Local area network - a collection of computers and other devices (such as printers) connected to each other.
Library of Congress Subject Headings	Multi-volume set of books containing a list of subject headings used to find information in the online catalog. Based upon the Library of Congress Classification System.
magazine	A periodical for general reading containing articles, stories, photographs, and advertisements on a variety of subjects.
microformat	microfiche (4 by 6 inch cards) or microfilm (a roll of film) - printed items reduced in size by photographic methods
periodical	an item that is published on a regular basis, such as journals, magazines and newspapers
periodical index	a subject index to a group of periodicals. Example: Use the Business Index to find articles by subject in business journals. Most current indexes are now computerized and are called research databases or article databases.
primary source	Primary sources are created by individuals who participated in or witnessed an event and recorded that event during or immediately after the event. Examples include speeches, memoirs, diaries, letters, etc. Original research is also a primary source. Read more.
record	a collection of data items or fields treated as a unit. A collection of records make up a database.
refereed journal	a refereed journal has a structured reviewing system in which at least two reviewers, excluding in-house editors, evaluate each unsolicited manuscript and advise the editor as to acceptance or rejection.
research database	research databases provide descriptive records to periodical articles and other documents. Each record contains information about the article (author, article title, journal title, date, article summary, etc.). Many research databases contain the full-text of the articles. Read more.
reserves	materials kept at the circulation desk that can be checked out for an hourly or daily time period.
scholarly/academic journal	articles in scholarly journals are written for and by experts in their chosen field and focus on a particular research interest, such as experimental psychology or aerodynamics. Scholarly journals are published in every academic discipline and are used as a means for scholars and researchers to share their research and discoveries with others who are also experts in their discipline. - Jim Alderman, UNF Library. Read more.
secondary source	Secondary sources are created by someone who was either not present when the event occurred or removed from it in time. Examples include history books, encyclopedias, historical dictionaries, academic articles.
subject heading	the specific word or phrase used to find a book or article on a specific topic in a catalog or periodical index (research database).
volume	the number assigned to a specific issue of a periodical. Academic journals usually use volume numbers instead of months.

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