The Royal Children's Hospital Melbourne

Glossary of library terms

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E-F
• H-I
• K-L
• M-O
• P
• R
• S
• T-Z

Abstract

An objective summary of a document, book, or journal.

Access point

A heading that may be used in a catalogue to find further information on an item. Some common access points include author, title, and subject headings.

Adobe® Reader®

A free software application used to view PDF files, used in many full-text online journals. Download the reader.

Annotation

A subjective evaluation of a piece of work.

Annual

A serial publication issued once a year.

Archives

A collection of historic material.

Athens

A method of authentication which provides a single sign-in process, allowing remote access to protected resources. More ... about remote access ...

Audiovisual material

Non-book items such as audio and video cassettes, and compact discs (CDs).

Authentication

The process of identifying an individual on a computer, usually based on a username and password. More ... about authenticating for remote access ...

Author search

To search for an article or book by a particular author in a catalogue or database.

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E-F
• H-I
• K-L
• M-O
• P
• R
• S
• T-Z

Barcode

The 14-digit number on the back of your library card.

Biannual

A serial publication issued twice a year.

Bimonthly

A serial publication issued every two months.

Biweekly

A serial publication issued every two weeks.

Bibliographic record (Bib record)

A record that describes an item in a collection or database. It includes call number, author, title, publication information, pagination, subject headings, etc.

Biennial

A serial publication issued every two years.

Boolean searching

Uses three basic Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) to link concepts in database searching.

AND retrieves items in which both terms are found.

OR retrieves items in which either term is found.

NOT retrieves items in which the first term is present but the second term is not.

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E-F
• H-I
• K-L
• M-O
• P
• R
• S
• T-Z

Call number

A unique identifying number given to each item in the Library. The call number groups items together by subject. The RCH library uses the Dewey Decimal Classification.

Catalogue

A list of library holdings. Each record includes descriptive information about the work (author, title, extra notes, etc.) as well as assignment of subject headings and call numbers. Search the library catalogue now.

Check out

The process of borrowing material from the Library.

Checked in

A note next to an item in the catalogue meaning the item is currently in the Library.

Citation

Information such as author, title, pagination, and dates which identifies a book, journal article, or other format. Sufficient information is included to locate the original item.

Cited article

An article referenced in another publication.

Cited author

An author whose publication has been referenced in another work.

Classification

The arrangement of knowledge into specific groups or systems. The RCH library uses Dewey Decimal Classification.

Closed entry

A record in the journals list which has both a starting date and closing date. This means the title is not a current subscription, and new issues are no longer being received. For example: v.1 (1920) - v.40 (1960).

Continued by

Term used in the journals lists to indicate a title's new name, with a link to the new title. See also: Formerly.

Copyright

Laws which protect an individual's published work(s) so it cannot be misused by others. More ... about copyright ...

Corporate author

An organization (a business, government agency, institution, etc.) considered to be the author of a work.

Cross-reference

Instructions that point to related information listed under different terms. For example: BRITISH MEDICAL JOURNAL (See: BMJ)

Cumulative index

An index in which several previously published indexes are combined into one book.

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E-F
• H-I
• K-L
• M-O
• P
• R
• S
• T-Z

Database

An organised collection of records, for example: Medline. Sometimes all the information required is found in the database record or via Full Text links. Sometimes the information must be taken and used to search other resources such as the Library's online journals list to retrieve full text.

Dewey Decimal Classification

Classification system which divides knowledge into ten main classes (000-999); named for its inventor, Melvil Dewey, and its use of decimals for subdivisions.

Display area

Area of the library where new books, journals, and other material are displayed for one week before being shelved permanently. Books on display may not be borrowed, but may have a hold placed on them.

Document Delivery

A cooperative arrangement between libraries which allows users to order copies of materials, usually journal articles or books, of material which is not held by the user's Library. More... about the Document Delivery service ...

Due date

The date that a borrowed item is due to be returned to the library. If the item is required longer it may be renewed. If the library requests that the item be returned earlier than the due date because it is needed by someone else, this is called a recall.

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E-F
• H-I
• K-L
• M-O
• P
• R
• S
• T-Z

EBP

Evidence-based practice

EBSCO

Database vendor, offering full text journal articles online. Also a vendor for journal subscriptions.

Edition

All copies of a title issued by the same publisher on the same date.

Expert Search filter

A series of search statements designed by an expert that refine your search, and reduce the results by omitting irrlevant articles. More ... about how to use Expert Search filters ...

Fact Sheets

Library publications giving hints and tips on using library services. Pick one up from the Library, or read online.

FAQ

Frequently Asked Questions. Many sites provide an FAQ to provide information to new users.

Field

In a database, the part of a record reserved for a particular type of data. For example, in a library catalogue, author, title, ISBN, subject headings, etc. are all fields.

Frequency

The interval at which a serial is published.

Formerly

Term used in the journals lists to indicate a title's previous name, with a link to the previous title. See also: Continued by.

Full text

The entire content of an item, such a journal article or book, is available online. See Fact Sheet no.9 "Accessing online journals and books".

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E-F
• H-I
• K-L
• M-O
• P
• R
• S
• T-Z

Hit

Item(s) identified or retrieved in a catalogue or database search.

Hold

A request that an item be kept for a patron until they can pick it up. The requesting patron will be notified when it becomes available. Holds may be placed on items which are currently on loan to other patrons. Holds may not be placed on items currently in the library (exception: Display items).

Holdings

All the materials in various formats owned by the Library. More... about the holdings of this Library ...

In print

Still being published, and therefore available for purchase from the publisher or subscription agent.

In transit

The status of an item while en route between libraries.

Index

[1] A list of citations to journal articles and/or books arranged by subject, author, or title. Indexes may be in print format, electronic format, or both.

[2] A list of subjects covered in a book, usually published at the end of the book.

Irregular

A serial publication issued at no fixed frequency.

ISBN

International Standard Book Number; a unique ten digit number assigned to every printed book. More... about ISBN ...

ISSN

International Standard Serial Number; a unique eight digit number assigned to every serial publication. More... about ISSN ...

Issue

A unit in a volume. For example: 26(5) = volume 26, issue 5.

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E-F
• H-I
• K-L
• M-O
• P
• R
• S
• T-Z

Keyword

A significant word in the title, abstract or text of a work.

Keyword searching

Using a word or combination of words to search an electronic resource (CD-ROM, online catalog, database). Keyword looks for words in titles, subject headings, and contents notes. Keywords do not have to be standardised subject headings.

Library Update

Document produced each week by the library detailing recent additions to the Library's collections. Available online, in print at the Library, or via email (subscribe/unsubscribe online).

License agreement

An agreement between vendor/publisher and the library defining use of a product, usually online resources.

Literature search

A systematic search of one or more databases for material on a specific subject. Literature search requests can be submitted online, or contact library staff to arrange an assisted search in the Library. The library also conducts free Literature Search Training.

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E-F
• H-I
• K-L
• M-O
• P
• R
• S
• T-Z

Merged into

A note on the journals list indicating that two titles have been assimilated into one. Resistance is futile.

Monograph

A non-serial work, complete in one part or set, usually on a narrowly defined single topic.

Monograph series

Monographs issued as part of a titled series, at either regular or irregular intervals.

Online

A general term for when one computer is interacting directly and simultaneously with another computer. Many sources of information are available online.

Online database

An electronic database of full text documents or citations and abstracts which can be searched over the Internet.

Open entry

A record on the journals list for a journal title held which has a start date but no closing date. This means the title is a current subscription, with new issues being received regularly. For example: v.25 (1950) -

Ovid

Database vendor, specialising in science, technology and medical information. The library uses the Ovid interface to access Medline, part of its database collection. Search Ovid Medline.

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E-F
• H-I
• K-L
• M-O
• P
• R
• S
• T-Z

Patron

A library member.

Patron record

An electronic record held in a database that contains information about a library member.

PDF

Portable Document Format. Secure, standard document format, read by Adobe Reader. Preserves the look of the original document.

Peer reviewed

The process where journal articles are reviewed by an expert panel before being accepted for publication.

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E-F
• H-I
• K-L
• M-O
• P
• R
• S
• T-Z

Recall

To request that an item be returned earlier than the due date because it is needed by another patron.

Record(s)

The result(s) retrieved after entering a search in a database or catalogue. Also: Patron record.

Reference

A service provided by libraries to assist patrons in the retrieval of information and the use of information resources. See also citation.

Reference collection

A separate location for encyclopaedias, handbooks, guides, directories, dictionaries, etc. These items are not for loan so that they will always be available for use in the Library.

Reprint

Printed copy of material prepared by the publisher (as opposed to photocopies) which has been published before.

Renew

To extend the due date of the item(s) patrons have checked out.

Review article

Summary of the state-of-the-art of a particular topic's literature.

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E-F
• H-I
• K-L
• M-O
• P
• R
• S
• T-Z

Search statement

An individual search consisting of one term or phrase, or several terms linked with Boolean operators.

Search strategy

A systematic process used to find the most relevant information on a topic. See a sample Medline search.

Semiannual

A serial publication issued twice a year.

Semimonthly

A serial publication issued twice a month.

Serial

A publication that is issued in parts indefinitely over time; includes journals, periodicals, magazines, annual reports, etc.

Subject headings

A controlled vocabulary assigned by an indexer. Subject headings are used in catalogues and databases to group together items by subject.

Subject search

To seek information by topic, as opposed to author or title.

• A
• B
• C
• D
• E-F
• H-I
• K-L
• M-O
• P
• R
• S
• T-Z

Title search

To search for an item by title, generally from an alphabetical listing.

Truncate

To shorten or cut off part of a keyword. The keyword is shortened so that it will match with all terms starting with the same stem, e.g. librar* will match with Library, libraries, librarian, librarianship, etc.

Update

See Library Update

Volume

[1] a unit in a set or series.

[2] a single bibliographic unit, i.e. a book.

[3] a bound periodical containing several issues.

Zap

Slang term meaning to sensitise or desensitise material using the Library's electronic detection system.