Like any other organization, libraries have developed a specific vocabulary to describe those procedures unique to our day to day business. While you may hear most of these terms at any given library, the definitions may vary somewhat. If you’re ever uncertain what the librarian is trying to tell you, please ask! Despite my best efforts, I find myself slipping into library-speak too often; I tend to use a lot of acronyms, like AMM for Art, Music & Media. Luckily, I usually catch myself as I’m saying it and follow up with the full name of the department. I’m just thankful that I’m not a processor like Chandler from Friends—remember the WENUS? Weekly Estimated Net Usage Statistics? On the other hand, acronyms like WENUS might curb my love of acronyms!
Now, let’s see if I can define some of the most common library terms without using more library terms—probably not, but I’ll do my best!
Call Number: Think of this as the postal address for a specific item in the collection. Generally speaking, we like to organize educational/informational/non-fiction materials by subject and we do this by assigning specific numbers to specific topics. A typical call number looks something like this: 025.431 D51D. Fiction tends to be easier—most of the time. We organize fiction by the author’s last name—most of the time. We *may* separate it by type of fiction (classic, fantasy, inspirational, mystery, romance, western) or we *may not*—it’s always best to check the catalog. If it’s a collection of stories by several authors, we *may* shelve it by title rather than author. A typical fiction call number looks like FICTION LARSO. If it’s a mystery, the call number will look like FICTION MYSTERY CHRIS .
Catalog: Also referred to as Card Catalog or OPAC (online public access catalog). An online listing of a library’s holdings. The library I work for has a keyword search box so you can enter whatever you know of the item (title, author, subject) and you’ll receive a list of results. Some libraries may have separate lines for author, title and subject searches.
Circulation Desk: Also referred to as the Checkout Desk. At my library, this is where you want to be if you want to
- apply for/replace a library card
- update information on a current library card
- ask about/pay fines
- purchase library bags, ear buds and flash drives
- check out materials
Database: An electronic collection of organized, reputable information that a library pays a subscription fee for in order to offer to its community. Okay, that’s a dry definition but it is accurate. A database tends to look a lot like a regular website—the main difference for you is that you know librarians consider it to be a reliable source of information. Depending upon the contract we’re able to negotiate with the database provider, we may or may not be able to provide remote access to the database: in other words, you may be able to access the database from home if you enter your library card number, or you may have to visit the library to use the database. Ancestry.com is a database that typically has to be used inside the library.
Fiction: Novels and Stories fall into this category. Whatever real-life details it may contain, it is largely the imaginative creation of the author.
Hold: Also referred to as Reserve.
- To place your name on a list for an item that is not currently available.
- To request that an item at one library be sent to another library in the same library system.
Interlibrary Loan: To borrow an item from outside the library system. This process involves searching WorldCat, submitting a request to a library that owns the title in question, waiting for a response, and resubmitting to another library if necessary.
Kiosk: Is it just me or is this one of the worst? At this point in time, my library has 3 Kiosks, or stand-alone, self-service points.
- the Parking Kiosk is a black machine located near the Checkout area which enables you to validate your parking ticket.
- the Registration Kiosk is a pair of computers in the Checkout area which enable you to apply for a library card and update the information on your library card.
- the Visitors Bureau Kiosk is located across from the Computer Center and allows you to print out coupons for local attractions like the Zoo.
Non-Fiction: Whatever the topic, the information is presented in a factual manner. Theories on Atlantis, Bigfoot etc are found in the non-fiction section (usually around 001). Not all non-fiction is researched equally well–you may want to check Reviews.
Periodical: Merriam-Webster defines periodical as “published with a fixed interval between the issues or numbers”. This definition would apply to most magazines/newsletters/newspapers as well as many almanacs. When my library uses the term Periodical, however, we’re referring to our collection of magazines that we keep as Reference copies (which means you can read them inside the library or make photocopies but you cannot check them out).
Reference Collection: Generally speaking, this refers to those materials that cannot be checked out and have to be used inside the library. Why can’t they be checked out? So that there’s something to refer to in the event that all of the other materials on XYZ happen to be checked out.
Reviews: Publications like Choice, Library Journal and Publisher’s Weekly post reviews of new titles. These summaries/short evaluations are written by individuals who specialize in the subjects they review.
Shelf-Read: To review every call number on a shelf to ensure that everything is in the proper order.
WorldCat: An online, global catalog of library collections. You can check it out yourself at http://www.worldcat.org/.
So, what acronyms/strange words do your librarians use that leave you wondering what planet we’re from? Or, better yet, what acronyms/strange words does your profession use?
