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Abstract
An abstract is a brief summary of the main points and conclusions of a book or article.
Almanac
An almanac is an annually published reference book that contains a variety of facts, statistics, and data in tables and charts.
Annotated bibliography
An annotated bibliography is a list of citations with brief descriptions of each resource.
See also Bibliography
Annual
An annual is a publication issued once every year.
Anthology
An anthology is a collection of extracts and/or complete works by various authors grouped together by subject, genre, literary form, nationality, theme, or time period.
APA Citation Style
The APA Citation Style is a guide for citing resources in the social sciences.
Article
An article is an essay about a specific topic written by one or more authors under a separate title in a book or periodical.
Ask a Librarian
Ask a Librarian is a free, online reference chat service staffed by reference librarians throughout the State of Florida.
Atlas
An atlas is a reference book that contains a collection of maps.
Audiovisual Resources
Audiovisual resources, such as DVD's and CDs, convey information through sound and image. See also Media
Author Search
An author search is a search for a particular author that appears in the author fields of bibliographic records in an online search tool.
Authoritative
An authoritative source is supported by documentary evidence and accepted by most experts.
Authority
Authority is the knowledge and credentials that qualify a person to write about a particular subject as an expert.
Autobiography
An autobiography is a history of a person’s life written by that person.
Availability
Availability refers to whether a resource listed in Edison Library’s online catalog is on the shelf. If a resource is checked out, a due date is listed in the online catalog. If a resource is on the shelf, it is listed as available.
Authentication
Authentication is the process of logging onto an online tool, such as Edison Library’s databases, which requires users to enter a username and password to access the tool.
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Barcode Number
A barcode number is the fourteen-digit number and barcode located on the back of a book, student ID, or library card. Barcode numbers on the back of books are used to check out, return, and renew books in the Library’s online circulation system. Barcode numbers on the back of a student ID or library card are used to log onto online search tools.
Bibliography
A bibliography is a list of citations located at the end of a written work. Bibliographies contain citations for resources cited by an author within the body of his/her work, as well as resources consulted by, but not cited within, the body of the work. A bibliography, which also is called a list of references, must adhere to the format of a citation style.
See also Works Cited Page
Bibliographic Record
A bibliographic record is the description of a resource in a library collection. Bibliographic records include information about the author, title, publication place and date, length, size, format, summary, and subjects of library resources. See also Record
Biographical Resource
A biographical resource is a reference book that contains information about various people.
Biography
A biography is a history of a person’s life written by another person.
Book Return
A book return is where patrons return books borrowed from an Edison Library. Book returns are located inside the Library near the circulation desk, as well as outside the Library to return books when the building is closed.
Boolean Searching
Boolean searching is a technique that combines keywords using connecting terms called Boolean Operators in an online search tool. The three basic Boolean Operators are AND, OR, and NOT.
Borrower ID
A borrower ID is the barcode number and barcode on the back of a student ID or library card.
Browser
A browser, such as Internet Explorer, is a software program used to view webpages.
Call Number
A call number is a unique combination of letters and numbers assigned to every resource in the Edison Library. Call numbers indicate where to find a resource on the shelf.
Catalog See Online Catalog
Chicago Manual of Style
The Chicago Manual of Style is a guide for citing resources in the field of history.
Circulating Collection
The circulating collection consists of books and other resources that can be checked out of the Library.
Circulation Desk
The circulation desk is where Library users can check out, return, and renew resources; submit Interlibrary Loan requests; pick-up and return Interlibrary Loan resources; request and check out audiovisual resources and course reserves; and validate library cards and student IDs. The circulation desk, also called the circ or check out desk, is located near the entrance of each Edison College Library.
Circulation System
The Library’s circulation system records all materials loaned from and returned to the Library.
Citation
A citation is a description of a particular resource. Citations must include the title, author, and date and place of publication of each resource.
Citation Styles
Citation styles are guides for citing resources in research papers, journal articles, and books. The three main citation styles are the Chicago Manual of Style and the APA and MLA Styles.
Collection
Collection refers to all of the resources owned by a Library. See also Holdings
Copyright
Copyright is the legal right granted to an author, publisher, or distributor to exclusively publish, produce, sell, or distribute literary or artistic works. Libraries must comply with copyright law when making photocopies or placing materials on Reserve.
Coverage
Coverage is the extent to which a resource deals with a particular topic.
Currency
Currency is the extent to which a resource reflects the current knowledge of a particular topic.
Database
A database is a searchable, organized collection of information stored in an electronic format and typically accessible online. See also Subscription Database
Dictionary
A dictionary is a reference book that contains alphabetically arranged words with spellings, pronunciations, origins, definitions, and usages according to their parts of speech.
Directory
A directory is a reference book that contains a list of people, companies, or organizations along with contact and other relevant information.
Document
A document is any written work, such as a book, article, or letter. See also Resource and Source
Domain name
A domain name is the unique address of a website, also called a URL: Uniform Resource Locator. The last three letters of a domain name indicate the type of organization sponsoring the website. For example, .gov is a U.S. Government website.
Due Date
A due date is when a resource must be returned to the Library to avoid fines.
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eBook
An eBook is an electronic copy of a printed book stored online.
Electronic Resources
Electronic resources are works accessed online, such as e-Books and journal articles from subscription databases.
Encyclopedia
An encyclopedia is a reference book that contains articles or overviews about various topics often arranged alphabetically.
Field
A field is sections of a bibliographic record in an online search tool. Examples include the author, title, publication date, and subject fields.
Find a Book
Find a Book is the link to the Edison College Library’s online catalog.
Find an Article
Find an Article is the link to the Edison College Library’s subscription databases.
Format
Format is the physical form of a resource. Library formats include book, audiobook, video, DVD, map, musical score, and eBook.
Free Web
Free Web is any Internet site that is accessible for free, as opposed to eBooks or subscription databases.
Full text
Full text refers to subscription databases that provide access to the entire text or body of an article, which users can download, view, email, and print.
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Gazetteer
A gazetteer is a reference book that contains location, population, and other geographically related information about a particular place.
General Collection
See Circulating Collection
Government Document
A government document is any document or publication issued by the U.S. Government.
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Handbook
A handbook is reference book that contains a collection of facts about a particular subject.
Help
Help is a link in Edison’s online catalog and subscription databases that provides instructions on basic search techniques, advanced searching, and evaluating search results.
Hold
Hold refers to the process of requesting a Library resource that is currently on loan. The borrower who has the resource checked out will not be able to renew it. The person placing the hold will be able to check it out after it has been returned. Holds can be placed online by clicking the request link in the online catalog.
Holdings
Holdings refers to all of the resources owned by a Library. See also Collection
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Index
Index has two definitions. The first is an alphabetically arranged list of persons, places, and subjects covered in a book, along with the page number on which they are discussed. The second type of index is a reference book that guides users to the literature of an academic discipline, typically arranged by subject, author, or keyword.
Intellectual property
Intellectual property refers to the creations of the mind, such as literary and artistic works, which are entitled to the legal status of personal property.
Interlibrary Loan
Interlibrary Loan is a library service through which users can request to borrow resources not owned by an Edison College Library.
Internet
The Internet is a global collection of computer networks that exchange information using a common software standard. See also Network and World Wide Web
In Process
In process is listed in an online catalog record when a resource that has been ordered for the Library has not yet been received, processed, or placed on the shelf.
In-text citations
In-text citations are citations listed within the body of a written work. The major types of in-text citations are parenthetical citations, footnotes, and endnotes. See also Citation
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Journal
A journal is an academic periodical that contains scholarly articles intended for scholars, professors, and students.See also Periodical
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Keywords
Keywords are significant terms that identify the information described in an online search tool.
Keyword Search
A keyword search is a search for a particular word or phrase that appears anywhere in bibliographic records of an online search tool.
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Library of Congress Classification
The Library of Congress Classification system organizes library resources by subject using alpha-numeric call numbers.
Library of Congress Subject Headings
Library of Congress Subject Headings are the official descriptors for the subjects of resources housed in a library.
List of References
See Bibliography
Loan Period
Loan period is the amount of time a resource may be borrowed from the Library.
Location
Location is the college, campus, call number, and availability status of resources listed in the bibliographic records of Edison Library’s online catalog.
Magazine
A magazine is a regularly published periodical containing short, typically unsigned articles on popular topics, along with photographs and advertisements.
Manual
A manual is a reference book that contains practical instructions, rules, or steps for performing a task or operation, such as a citation manual.
Media
Media refers to nonprint library resources such as a DVDs, videos, and computer software.
See also Audiovisual Resources
MLA Citation Style
The MLA Citation Style is a guide for citing resources in literature and the humanities.
Monograph
A monograph is a scholarly book or essay on a specific subject written by an expert.
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Network
A network is a group of interconnected computers through which users can share and exchange information through a server. The largest network in the world is the Internet. See also Server and Internet
Newspaper
A newspaper is a frequently published periodical that contains news, opinions, advertisements, and other information of current international, national, state, and local interest.
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Online Catalog
An online catalog is a database that lists all of the resources owned by a library.
Online Search Tool
An online search tool is an electronic resource, such as a search engine, online catalog, and subscription databases, used to find resources and information.
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Periodical
A periodical is a regularly published resource in multiple volumes or issues that contains articles written by various authors. Examples include scholarly journals, magazines, and newspapers. See also Serial
Peer Reviewed Journals
Peer reviewed journals are scholarly periodicals that contain articles written by experts in a particular field of study. One or more experts in the appropriate field review and approve peer reviewed journal articles before they are published.
PDF
A PDF (Portable Document Format) is a file that has been formatted in Adobe Acrobat. Converting a document created in a Microsoft Office program into a PDF file prevents readers from altering the file. Many articles in full text subscription databases are PDF files.
Periodical Index
A periodical index is a reference book that guides readers to the contents of periodicals. See also Periodical and Index, second definition
Pin Number
The pin number is the last four digits of an Edison Library user’s social security number. Users must enter their borrower ID and pin numbers to log onto the Library’s subscription databases and e-books, and to request materials from another campus or college library. See also Borrower ID
Phrase Search
Phrase search is a technique used to search for a sequence of two or more words that appear in bibliographic records of an online search tool.
Plagiarism
Plagiarism is presenting the words or ideas of someone else as your own, and not citing the source.
Primary Sources
Primary sources provide firsthand accounts of historical events. Examples include letters, photographs, diaries, and maps.
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Record
See Bibliographic Record
Reference Books
Reference books provide authoritative facts, definitions, statistics, summaries, and overviews of various topics in all academic disciplines. Reference books are designed to be consulted rather than read them from cover to cover, and do not circulate. Types of reference books include dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, manuals, almanacs, atlases, directories, bibliographies, gazetteers, yearbooks, and statistical abstracts.
Reference Collection
The Reference Collection is the area where Edison Library’s reference books are located. See also Reference Books
Reference Desk
The reference desk is where students can ask a reference librarian for help finding, evaluating, and using resources.
Reference Librarian
A reference librarian is a specialist in finding, evaluating, and using information resources.
Request
Request is a service through which users can have a resource that is either checked out or located at another campus or college library sent to their home campus. The request link is located in the location section of Edison’s online catalog.
Reserves
Reserves are library resources that must be used in the library for a short period of time. Course reserves are shelved behind the circulation desk by course and professor name.
Research
Research is the investigation of a particular topic using a variety of reliable resources.
Research Process
The research process is the methodical approach to finding and examining a variety of reliable, scholarly resources on a particular topic.
Resource
A resource is anything that conveys information, whether electronically or in print. Examples of resources include books, journals, newspapers, magazines, reports, film, letters, maps, photographs, websites, and databases. See also Primary Sources and Secondary Sources
Results List
A results list is the group of resources yielded by a search in an online search tool. A results list contains core bibliographic information for each resource, including the title, author, publication place and date, and library location.
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Scholarly Resources
Scholarly resources are publications approved by experts in an appropriate field of study before publication. Academic journals and monographs are examples of scholarly resources.
Search Limiters
Search limiters are ways to modify a search in an online search tool. For example, users can limit searches in Edison’s online catalog by format, language, and year of publication.
Search Engine
A search engine is an online search tool that locates information using keywords. Google, the most commonly used search engine, has the largest database of online documents.
Search Term
A search term is a word entered into the search engine of an online search tool.
Secondary Sources
Secondary sources are publications that describe and interpret an event that already has taken place. Examples of secondary sources include books and journal articles.
Serial
See Periodical
Server
A server is a host computer on a network programmed to download information received from computers connected to the same network. See also Network and Internet
Source See Resource
Stacks
Stacks is the area where books that can be checked out from the Library are located. This area is also called the general or circulating stacks. See also Circulating Collection
Statistical Abstract
A statistical abstract is a reference book that contains numeric and tabular data.
Subject Headings
Subject headings are standardized words and phrases that describe the main topics of bibliographic records in an online search tool.
Subject Search
A subject search is a search for a particular subject that appears in the subject heading field of bibliographic records in an online search tool. See also Subject Headings
Subscription Database
A subscription database is a collection of regularly updated scholarly journal articles typically available in full text. Databases also contain newspaper and magazine articles, primary sources, excerpts from books, and reports. See also Database
Title Search
A title search is a search for a particular title that appears in the title fields of bibliographic records in an online search tool.
Truncation
Truncation is a technique used to search for multiple endings of a particular keyword in an online search tool.
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URL
URL stands for Uniform Resource Locator. A URL is the address of a website.
Web Browser
See Browser
Webpage
A webpage is an electronic document written in markup language, stored on a server, and accessible on a browser. Webpages may include graphics, audio, video, and links to other websites on the Internet. Each webpage has a unique URL. See also Website
Website
A website is a group of interlinked webpages stored on a server and accessible on a browser. Most websites represent the online presence of an organization, institution, or company. A homepage is the main page of a website. See also Webpage
Wildcard
Wildcard is a technique used to search for variations within a keyword in an online search tool.
Works Cited Page
A works cited page is a list of citations located at the end of a written work. A works cited page only contains citations for resources cited by an author within the body of his/her work. A works cited page must adhere to the format of a citation style. See also Bibliography
World Wide Web See Internet
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Yearbook
A yearbook is an annually published reference book that contains a compendium of facts, statistics, and articles about a specific subject for the preceding year.