There are countless industry-specific terms in the library world. We thought it might be helpful to explain as many of them a possible!
Accelerated Reader
A popular reading program that assigns point values to books based on difficulty. Students can be assessed on their comprehension to gain points, which are then spent for incentives.
Acquisitions
The process of purchasing new materials for a library and tracking information such as vendor, budget, etc.
Adaptive technology
Tools and spaces used to aid patrons with disabilities.
Archive
A space that is dedicated to the storage of historical documents.
Audio-visual
Materials that incorporate sight and/or sound, such as DVDs or audiobooks.
Authority record
Contains the established form of a name heading (author) or subject heading.
Automated catalog
A complete list of all resources held by a given institution. These often take the place of Card catalogs. See also: Database
Barcode
Books in libraries will have two barcodes: an ISBN [LINK] that is printing on the jacket itself and a separate barcode that is applied by the library. No two resources will share a barcode, as every item is distinct.
Battle of the Books
A popular, U.S.-based, reading competition in which students read books and gain points to “battle” students from other schools.
BIBFRAME
An XML-based metadata standard initiative that is under development by the Library of Congress.
Bibliographic record
A set of information, formatted according to an established standard, that describes the contents and aspects of a resource.
Bibliometrics
Statistical analyses of books and resources.
Bindery
A service whose primary purpose is binding documents into books.
Boolean
A form of searching which uses logical connectors such as AND, OR, and NOT to narrow the scope of search and yield more precise results.
Bound periodical
A series of journal or magazine articles that have been bound into book form.
Browse
The process of looking through resources to find ones that may be of interest. This may be completed physically, among library stacks, or digitally, using keyword searches on the public catalog.
Browser
A program allowing access to the World Wide Web. Common browsers include Chrome, Firefox, and Edge.
Call number
An alphanumeric code applied to a resource so that it can be easily located; the resource’s “address” within the library.
Card catalog
Libraries whose collections are not automated typically use a card-based system to index and circulate resources.
Catalog
The total list of resources held within a given library.
Cataloging
The process of adding resources to your catalog by assigning metadata. See also: Copy cataloging
Categories
A group of resources that are separated by resource type. Categories are often indicative of what section a resource may be found in. Common categories include Graphic Novels, DVDs, or Reference.
Centralized database
Multiple locations sharing one database, such as a school district or public library with multiple branches.
Circulation
The process of associating resources to patrons through check outs, renewals, and check ins.
Circulation desk
The station at which staff assist patrons, including checking items in and out.
Classification scheme
The system used to assign call numbers. Examples include Dewey Decimal Classificaiton and Library of Congress Classification.
Cloud
Internet-based storage and access of data.
Codabar
A barcode symbology standard.
Controlled vocabulary
Standardized and organized word arrangements that allows for consistency when applying terminology. In cataloging, this is exemplified by subject headings.
Copy cataloging
A form of cataloging in which pre-existing catalog records are used instead of original cataloging. Copy cataloging saves time and is typically the preferred method of cataloging when possible.
Course reserves
Resources that are held in a separate area, typically behind the circulation desk, that are intended for the use of a certain class.
Curriculum
Resources that are required tools for learning in a given class, such as workbooks or books that are considered required reading.
Dashboard
The home or start screen screen of an application, which typically provides an overview of statistics applicable to you.
Data
A general term for information. Frequently used to describe digital information.
Database
A collection of resources that is stored electronically to facilitate in efficient record storage and retrieval. See also: Automated catalog
Descriptive metadata
Elements of data that provide context for a given resource, making it easier for patrons to locate.
Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC)
A classification scheme in which call numbers are generated in accordance to 10 major subjects that are then further subdivided by topic or specialization. Most often used in public and school libraries. Learn more about Dewey Decimal Classification here.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
A permanent link that is assigned to an online resource.
Discovery layer
A search tool that pools resources from a library’s catalog, as well as the other databases they have access to, such a e-book services and journal databases.
Dublin Core
A general-purpose metadata scheme used to describe resources using a set of 15 distinct elements. Some document-cataloging systems use this metadata standard instead of MARC.
E-book
A digital book.
Edition
A particular version of a published text.
Electronic resource management systems (ERMs)
Manages digital content throughout the lifecycle of that content, including acquisiton, access, renewing, and discarding.
E-resource
Term that encompasses any resource that can be accessed digitally, including e-books, streaming movies, etc.
Fair use
Using a resource in a manner that does not violate copyright laws.
Field
In cataloging, the entry of data into a specific place. Ex: Title field, Call number field
Filtering
The process of narrowing down search results by limiting the criteria.
Full text
The complete version of a document, most often used for digital articles.
Genrefication
A classification scheme in which call numbers are generated based on the genre of the material. Learn more about genrefication here.
Hold
A resource that has been requested by a patron and then pulled by library staff for pick-up.
Holding
An individual copy of a resource, with its own, copy-specific metadata.
In process
A status indicating that a resource is ordered, but not received.
Integrated Library Management Software (ILMS)
Also known as ILS; A system that automates a library’s catalog, while also allowing tools such as patron management and circulation. Surpass Cloud is a great example of an ILMS.
Interlibrary loan
A service offered by some libraries in which resources that are not available for circulation from a patron’s home library may be requested from another library.
Inventory
The process of scanning every resource in a library to account for missing or out-of-place materials.
ISBN (International Standard Book Number)
The number assigned to a book that identifies it as a unique edition or variation of a publication.
Jacket
The protective covering around a book.
Journal
A collection of articles that is published by an academic institution or scholarly society.
Ledger
The tool used to track fines, fees, and payments from patrons.
Loan period
The length of time in which a resource may be checked out before it is due back at the library.
Keyword
Significant word found in the title, summary, or subject headings, that can be used to pull search results when using a public catalog.
Lexile
A framework that puts books in levels that can be used to determine whether a book may match the reader’s comprehension level.
Library of Congress Classification (LCC)
A classification scheme in which call numbers are generated in accordance to 21 major subjects that are then further subdivided by topic or specialization. Most often used in academic institutions. Learn more about Library of Congress Classification here.
Local address
A field that is used to assign patrons to a location or group. This is most often used by schools to indicate homeroom.
MARC (MAchine Readable Cataloging)
A standardized data format that is commonly used to assign metadata to a given resource. “MARC” is commonly used to refer to the newest standard, which is known as “MARC 21”.
Metadata
Data that provides information about other data. Commonly referred to as “data about data”.
Migration
The process of moving a large amount of records from one database to another. Most often, this occurs when moving from one ILMS to another.
Non-circulating
Resources that may not be checked out.
Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
Also known as Public catalog, this is the website that patrons can use to search your catalog. Most often, an OPAC will contain other information about the library, such as loan rules, location, etc.
Patron roles
Determines the patron’s relationship to the ILMS, including the permissions they have when accessing the database from the administrative end.
Patron types
Determines the patron’s relationship to the library, including what circulation rules are applicable.
Peer-review
An article that is examined by experts in the field to determine whether the studies followed standards in the field.
Periodical
See Journal
Perpetual access
Refers to the right of a library to view and use a resource after their subscription period has ended.
Processing
The physical readying of a resource for the shelves. This often includes labeling, jacketing, etc.
Public catalog
See Online Public Access Catalog (OPAC)
Reading program
A program that is meant to support literacy skills.
Reference
A resource that is primarily used to find precise information on a subject. Common reference items include dictionaries, atlases, or thesauri.
Reference desk
The station at which patrons can get help with their research needs.
Remote access
The ability to view data at one location from a computer in a different location.
Resource
Used interchangeably with terms such as items, books, or materials.
RFID
Tags that use radio-frequency identification to track resources. These are used for loss prevention and inventory.
Serial
A publication that is released in parts, such as a journal.
Shelf list
A report that shows all resources in a catalog, which can be filtered as needed.
Special collections
A group of resources that are held separately from the primary collection due to their rare or specific content, such as papers, manuscripts, or historically significant items.
Spine label
A sticker placed on the spine of a book that relays the call number.
Stacks
Shelves on which books and other physical collections are kept.
Status
The current position of a resource. Common statuses might include Out for Repair, On Display, or Checked Out.
Subject heading
A specific word or phrase that is assigned to a resource during cataloging. These facilitate keyword searching and identify subject matter.
SuDoc Number
A standardized classification scheme used for government published documents.
Topical term
A part of a subject heading that further indicates what a work is about.
z39.50
A protocol that enables the sharing of records between library databases to facilitate copy cataloging.