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Library
Home > Help & FAQs > Library
Glossary
Library Glossary
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A |
Abstract |
A brief description
or summary of the contents of a book, article,
or other document, usually accompanied by a citation
or bibliographic reference to the item. |
Access point |
Name term, code, etc.,
under which a BIBLIOGRAPHIC RECORD may be searched
and identified. Some examples are author, title
and call number. |
Advanced Search
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Many databases provide
this option of combining a variety of terms (author,
title, date of publication, keyword, subject)
to help you to construct a more detailed search
on your topic.
See also BOOLEAN OPERATORS |
Anglo-American Cataloging
Rules |
Rules developed by the
American Library Association, the Library of Congress,
and other library associations and used by most
libraries in the English-speaking world, for descriptive
cataloging for all library materials. |
Anonymous work
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One in which the author's
name does not appear anywhere in the book; of
unknown authorship. |
ARIEL |
Document transmission
system. Using commercially available hardware
and RLG's Ariel software, one can scan articles,
transmit the resulting electronic image over the
INTERNET to other Ariel workstations and print
them out on a laser printer. |
Article |
A contribution written
for publication in a journal, magazine, or newspaper.
A source of contemporary information. |
Audio-visual material
|
See Media. |
Authentication
|
A process whereby software
allows members of an eligible population to have
access to a computer network, secure area, or
online database. Either the IP address of the
user's machine or his/her username and password
are listed in the software as authorized. |
Author |
Person or corporate
body, such as a government agency or business
firm, chiefly responsible for the intellectual
or artistic content of a work. |
Authority |
An evaluative criteria
which involves determining whether the author
of an item has the appropriate credentials to
make the statements or claims represented in the
item. |
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B |
BI |
Bibliographic Instruction:
sessions during which librarians acquaint users
with the resources and services available to them
in the Library. |
Bibliographic citation
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Details of an item that
enable it to be identified completely and unambiguously.
Usually contains author, title, year, volume and
page number if journal or magazine; and author,
title, year, publisher and place of publication
if item is a book. |
Bibliographic record
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A description of an
item. The information in a bibliographic record
varies depending on the item being described.
For a book, it contains information such as title,
author, publisher, and date and place of publication.
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Bibliography |
A list of books, journal
articles, etc. on a particular topic. Bibliographies
can appear at the end of a book, journal, or encyclopedia
article, or as a separate publication. |
BIP |
See Books in Print |
Books in Print
|
Publication listing
all books which are available for purchase through
normal book trade channels. Available in author,
title and subject sections, BIP indexes the entries
in Publishers Trade List Annual. |
Boolean Operators
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A search modifier used
to refine the relationship between your search
term(s). The three major Boolean operators are
AND, OR and NOT. |
Bound periodicals
|
Complete or partial
run of journals bound together into a single physical
piece. Housed on the third floor of the Library
in the moveable shelves in Dewey Decimal order.
Use the Periodical Holdings List to locate
the call number for these items. |
Bound volume |
Formed when issues of
a periodical title are gathered together into
a hardback volume. |
Browser |
A software program (such
as Netscape Navigator or Internet Explorer)
used to display web pages stored on computers
connected to the Internet. |
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C |
Call number |
The combination of letters,
numbers, and symbols assigned to and marked on
the spine of an item in a library or collection
that serves as its unique shelf address and allows
it to be located. In our library it consists of
the Dewey Decimal Classification Number( code
for the subject of the item), the Cutter Number
(a code for the author and title of the item,
and may include other identifying symbols. |
Carrel |
Booth for individual
study in the library. |
Catalog |
A database of records
(usually a card file or an online database) representing
books, journals, media, government documents,
and other materials held in a particular library
or location. Online catalogs can usually be searched
by various methods, such as author, title, subject,
call number, or keyword. Typically, they display
the call number and location of the material,
with descriptive details. I-SHARE is the
name of the catalog used in the Benedictine Library. |
CD-ROM (Compact Disk
Read Only Memory) |
An index or reference
work that is stored on a compact disc and accessed
through a computer. |
Circulation |
The circulation desk
is the place in the library where you check out,
renew, and return library materials. You may also
place a hold, or report an item missing from the
shelves. The Circulation desk is also the area
where you would go to pick up items you have requested
on Interlibrary Loan and to retrieve items placed
on reserve for you by your instructors. |
Citation |
A reference or footnote
to a book, a magazine or journal article, or another
source. It contains all the information necessary
to identify and locate the work, including author,
title, publisher, date, volume, issue number,
and pages. |
Client-Server
|
In computing, a network
design ("architecture") that divides processing
between clients and servers. A personal computer
or workstation (client) provides the interface
and performs some or all of the processing on
requests it makes from another supplying computer
(server), which maintains the database and processes
the requests. |
Contents |
Listing of what an issue
or volume contains. |
Controlled Vocabulary
|
Standardized terms used
in searching a specific database. These terms
may differ for each database. (See also Descriptor,
Free-text; Subject Heading). |
Copyright |
Exclusive right granted
by a government to publis a work for a specified
number of years. This acts as a protection against
others copying the work. |
Copyright date
|
Date a Copyright is
issued; usually appears on the verso (reverse)
of the title page. |
Corporate Author
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Corporate body credited
with authorship of a published work. A Corporate
Body is a group of persons identified by name
which acts as a single entity. Corporate bodies
include associations, conferences, institutions,
business firms, and government agencies. |
Credibility |
An evaluative criteria
which involves questioning whether or not an author
has the expertise to make the statement he/she
is making. |
Current Periodical
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Periodical for which
the library has an active subscription. |
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D |
Database |
A collection of information,
usually stored in an electronic format that can
be searched by a computer. |
Depository Library
|
Library legally designated
to receive without charge copies of all or selected
U.S. government publications. Our library has
been depository since 1911. |
Descriptor |
A word that describes
the subject of an article or book; used in many
computer databases. (See also Controlled Vocabulary,
Subject Heading). |
Desensitize |
To prepare a book for
the electronic detection system. Desensitized
material will pass through the exit without triggering
the alarm. |
Dewey Decimal Classification
System |
A method to classify
and shelve items by using numbers and letters
to represent subject content. With a few exceptions
(Special Collections and Government Documents)
this is the system used in the Benedictine Library.
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DIALOG |
An electronic service
containing more than 200 DATABASES, many full
text, in the areas of science, technology, engineering,
social sciences, humanities, newspapers, business
and economics. For more information about having
a DIALOG search run for you, please see the Librarian
at the Reference Desk. |
Dictionary |
A source which provides
word or term definitions and correct grammatical
usage. Dictionaries may be either general or subject
specific. |
Directory |
A listings of web sites
separated into categories or topical areas. (See
also Search Engine). |
DLS |
The DuPage Library System.
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Download |
(1) To transfer information
from a computer to a computer disk; (2) to transfer
information from one computer to another computer
using a modem. |
Dummy |
A block shelved in place
of a book, bearing a label showing that the book
is shelved elsewhere. The dummy bears the author,
title, and call number of the book it replaces,
as well as the location. |
DVD-ROM |
Digital Video Disc-Read
Only Memory. |
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E |
Editor |
One who prepares for
publication or supervises the publication of a
work or collection of works or articles that are
not his/her own. Responsibility may extend to
revising and providing commentaries, introductory
matter, etc. |
Electronic Journal
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A journal available
in an electronic format usually via the WORLD
WIDE WEB. |
Electronic Mail (email)
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Electronic communication
through institutional, community or commercial
networks. |
Electronic Reserves
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Provides online access
to library materials that have been reserved by
an instructor for the use of students enrolled
in a particular course. |
Email |
See ELECTRONIC MAIL
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Encumbrance |
Money set aside for
a PURCHASE ORDER which has been placed with a
VENDOR, but not yet paid for because the product
or service has not yet been received. |
Encyclopedia |
General information
source which provides overview articles on various
branches of knowledge. Encyclopedias may be general
or subject-specific. |
Entry |
Record of a publication
in a CATALOG or list. Besides the main entry,
there may be author entries, title entries, series
entries, subject entries, and other less common
types of added entries. |
Ergonomics |
The applied science
of equipment design intended to maximize productivity
by reducing operator fatigue and discomfort. |
ERIC |
(EDUCATIONAL RESOURCES
INFORMATION CENTER) |
ERIC (EDUCATIONAL
RESOURCES INFORMATION CENTER) |
Government-sponsored
national clearinghouse for information on education.
ERIC supplies reports online and in MICROFICHE
format (housed on the third floor of the Library.)
ERIC can be searched online via the EBSCOhost
database. About half of the ERIC database is an
index to journal articles, not reports. Our Library
owns some, but not all of the journals indexed
on ERIC. |
Errata |
Sheet of corrections
printed after a publication has already been published
and sent to those who purchased the publication
so errors can be corrected. |
Evaluation |
A critical assessment
of an information source. |
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F |
FAQ |
Frequently asked questions.
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FAX |
Short for telefacsimile.
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Fiche |
Another name for MICROFICHE
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Field |
A part of a record which
represents one descriptive or identifying element
(such as author, title, subject heading, etc.)
for an item. (See also Record). |
Fiscal Year |
Budget year running
from June 1 to May 31. The Libraries is allotted
funds which must be totally spent within the current
fiscal year. |
Free-text |
A method of constructing
a database which does not control or standardize
terminology within the fields of a record. (See
also Controlled Vocabulary; Keyword; Subject Heading).
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Full-Text |
When the entire content
of an article, chapter, book, or other item is
provided online, it is referred to as full-text.
This term is sometimes used for the print format
as well. |
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G |
General information
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Provides an overview
or introduction to a particular topic. |
Gift |
Materials donated to
the Library which may or may not be added to the
collection. |
GOPHER |
Online, Client/server-based
system developed at the University of Minnesota.
Largely replaced by the WORLD WIDE WEB. |
Government Documents
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Publications issued
or funded by the U.S. government. |
GPO |
U.S. Government Printing
Office, located in Washington, D.C. |
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H |
Handbook |
General information
source which provides quick reference for a given
subject area. Handbooks are generally subject-specific.
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Hard Copy |
1. Printed record on
paper or card, to be distinguished from a MICROFORM
or computer record. 2. A printed copy of machine
output. |
Hardware |
Mechanical, magnetic,
electrical and electronic devices or components
of a computer or other equipment used for processing
data. See also SOFTWARE. |
Hold |
A "hold" guarantees
that a book checked out to another person will
be saved for you when it is returned. Place a
"hold" on any regularly circulating library materials
through the online catalog (I-SHARE) or at the
Circulation desk. |
Holdings |
1. Record of issues
and volumes the Libraries has of a specific serial
title. 2. Often used as a synonym for collection
(the materials owned by a library). |
HTML |
Hypertext Markup Language.
Language used to create documents for the World
Wide Web. |
HTTP |
HyperText Transfer Protocol
- The INTERNET standard that enables the creation
of hyperlinks between documents on the WORLD WIDE
WEB. All URLs for Web pages begin: http://. |
Hyperlink |
A predefined linkage
between associated concepts or chunks of information,
such as words or graphics in a document, that
lead the reader to the related text when they
are selected. (See also Hypertext) |
Hypermedia |
Various forms of information,
such as text, graphics, video and voice, used
as elements in a hypertext system. |
Hypertext |
The dynamic linking
of associated concepts among and within documents,
so that the reader can easily move from one concept
to another related concept. An example could be
any computerized document that can lead the reader
to various related information through hyperlinks.
(See also Hyperlinks). |
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I |
Icon |
A small symbol on a
computer screen that represents a computer operation
or data file. |
ID Card |
Plastic card issued
to all University faculty, staff, and students
used for various University activities including
charge-out of Library materials. |
ILCSO |
See I-SHARE |
ILL |
See Interlibrary Loan
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Illinet Online (IO)
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See I-SHARE |
IMC |
See Instructional Materials
Collection |
Index |
(1) A list of names
or topics usually found at the end of a publication,
which directs you to the pages where the names
or topics are discussed; (2) A printed or electronic
publication which lists references to periodical
articles or books by subject and/or author. |
Information Literacy
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The ability to access,
evaluate, organize, manipulate, and present information
(including electronic information). |
Instructional Materials
Collection (IMC) |
Located on the main
floor of the Library, this area houses our collections
of audio-visual materials (video tapes, DVDs,
CDs, cassettes) and sample textbooks for student
teachers. |
Interlibrary Loan
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A service that allows
you to borrow materials from other libraries through
your own library. |
International Standard
Book Number (ISBN) |
ISBN is assigned by
designated agencies in countries publishing books
to provide each book with a unique identification
number by which the item can be ordered. The number
consists of 10 digits separated into 4 functional
parts as follows; 1) One or more digits to represent
the country or group of countries in which the
item was published; 2) 2-7 digits of the publisher's
prefix; 3) one or more digits to identify a particular
title and to expand the number to nine digits;
4) and a check digit for a computer validity check.
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International Standard
Serial Number |
An internationally-accepted
code which uniquely identifies a serial publication.Consists
of eight digits divided in the middle by a hyphen.
Most citations to an article in databases or indexes
provide this number in the record. The Interlibrary
Loan form asks for this number when you are requesting
an article. |
Internet |
The international network
of computer networks which provides three basic
services: (1) electronic mail, or e-mail, an online
message service between computer users; (2) remote
logon, which is the ability to connect to and
use services on a computer at other sites; (3)
file transfer protocol or FTP, which allows users
to move files from one computer to another. (See
also World Wide Web). |
IO |
See I-SHARE |
I-SHARE |
I-SHARE (formerly Illinet
ONLINE, or IO) is a consortium of 65 academic
and special libraries in Illinois. Benedictine
University is a member of I-SHARE. The I-SHARE
libraries share a common catalog, also called
_SHARE, which allows easy requesting of materials
from other I-SHARE libraries. In addition, most
I-SHARE libraries will allow patrons of other
I-SHARE libraries to check out materials from
their library in person, as long as a valid form
of student/faculty/staff identification is presented.
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ISBN |
See INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
BOOK NUMBER |
ISSN |
See: INTERNATIONAL STANDARD
SERIAL NUMBER |
Issue |
Formed when journal
or magazine articles are combined for publication.
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J |
Journal |
A publication, issued
on a regular basis, which contains scholarly research
published as articles, papers, research reports,
or technical reports. (See also Periodicals) |
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K |
Keyword |
(1) A significant or
memorable word or term in the title, abstract
or text of an item that indicates its subject;
(2) a type of search method which retrieves search
terms from anywhere in the record. (See also Free-text).
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L |
LCSH |
See Library of Congress
Subject Headings. |
Library of Congress
Subject Headings |
List of accepted subject
terms used in many library catalogs and some indexes.
(See also Subject Headings. |
Local Area Network
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A direct connection
of computers by some type of cable. |
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M |
Magazine |
A publication, issued
on a regular basis, containing popular articles,
written and illustrated in a less technical manner
than articles found in a journal. |
Media |
In libraries, the term
is used to describe material in a non-print format,
such as slides, video, and music. |
Menu |
On computers, menu refers
to a list of options available to you. |
Microfiche |
Photographically reduced
images reproduced as small card-like pieces of
film. (See also Microforms). |
Microfilm |
Photographically reduced
images of a printed page in reel to reel format.
(See also Microforms). |
Microforms |
A reduced sized photographic
reproduction of printed information on reel to
reel film(microfilm), film cards (microfiche)
or opaque pages that can be read with a microform
reader/printer. |
Modem |
Computer hardware that
connects our computer to other computers through
a telephone line and appropriate software. (See
also Network). |
Mouse |
A device that allows
us to move and click the cursor on a computer
screen for different functions. |
Multimedia |
A system of computer
presentations which allows you to see and hear
information through access to videotapes, and
videodiscs. |
My Web Librarian
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A live, online service
offered by Illinois libraries where you can have
your reference questions answered by a librarian
in a live, real-time, online conversation. For
more information, follow the MyWebLibrarian
links on the library web page. |
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N |
Network |
A communication system
made up of computers which are connected. This
arrangement allows information transfer from one
computer to another in "real time". (See also
Local Area Network (LAN); Wide Area Network (WAN)).
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O |
Online |
Pertaining to computer
equipment connected to and interacting with a
functioning computer system. |
Online catalog
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A computerized database
which usually can be searched by various search
methods such as author, title, subject, or call
number to find out what a library owns. Online
catalogs will display the call number and the
location of the material. Our online catalog is
called I-SHARE. |
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P |
Patron I.D. Number
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A 14-digit number (that
begins with the numbers 2281100) usually listed
on your Benedictine University ID card that serves
as your library identifier for checking out materials,
accessing databases and requesting items on interlibrary
boan. |
Peer Reviewed Journals
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A process that articles
in many scholarly journals go through before they
are published. Once an article is submitted for
publication, it is sent to an editorial board
comprised of experts in the field to be evaluated.
The submitted article must receive the approval
of the editorial board before it is published.
The editorial board is usually identified at the
beginning of each issue of a journal. Peer-reviewed
journals may also be called refereed journals. |
Periodical |
Material published regularly
such as magazines, journals, and newspapers. (See
also Serial) |
Perspective |
An evaluative criteria
which considers the author's approach or point
of view. |
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R |
Recall |
A request for the return
of library material before the due date. |
Record |
The representation of
a particular item in a database. A record is generally
divided into various fields, each of which represents
a type of information that describes or identifies
that item. (See also Field). |
Refereed Journals
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A process that articles
in many scholarly journals go through before they
are published. Once an article is submitted for
publication, it is sent to an editorial board
comprised of experts in the field to be evaluated.
The submitted article must receive the approval
of the editorial board before it is published.
The editorial board is usually identified at the
beginning of each issue of a journal. Peer-reviewed
journals may also be called peer reviewed journals. |
Reference |
(1) The assistance given
by librarians to a library patron to locate information
or resources. Types and levels of service vary
based on the category of patron, the needs of
the patron, and the complexity of the question.
Reference Service is available at the Reference
Desk, by consultation, by phone, over email, or
through an online chat session (see MY WEB LIBRARIAN).
(2) Also refers to reference collections, such
as encyclopedias, indexes, online databases, handbooks,
directories, etc. |
RefWorks |
A web-based product
that simplifies the process of documenting sources
in a research paper, dissertation, or other project
requiring references. It helps you to create and
manage collections of references using a web browser,
tp import references from a number of online databases,
and to create bibliographies that can be inserted
into word processing documents. |
Reliability |
An evaluative criteria
which involves questioning whether or not the
facts presented in a work are accurate. |
Remote Access
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A phrase used to describe
the connection of one computer to another computer
located in different places. |
Renewal |
The process of extending
the loan period of library materials. |
Reserve |
A library service that
manages the circulation of certain required course
materials selected by instructors or professors.
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Retrospective material
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The perspective of an
information source produced after an event has
occurred. |
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S |
Scope |
An evaluative criteria
which looks at what information is or is not included
in a work. |
Search engine
|
Computer programs used
in databases and on the Internet (called robots)
that search for records that match your request.
In a catalog or index database, search engines
search specified fields (author, title, subject
headings, etc.) of each record in the database.
On the web, the robots crawl about the web indexing
sites, usually looking at URLs, text in the document,
or the heading of the document. (See also Directory).
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Search operator
|
See Operator |
Search statement/Search
query |
Terms or phrases with
operators that we enter into the online catalog
or electronic index to search. (See also Keyword;
Controlled Vocabulary). |
Serial |
A library term for periodicals:
items which are published regularly: such as magazines,
journals, newspapers, yearbooks, etc. (See also
Periodicals). |
Source |
A general term used
for library material that provides information.
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Specific or single
fact information |
Provides answers to
simple factual questions. |
Stacks |
The area where library
collections are shelved. |
Subject Heading
|
A term or phrase used
in indexes and library catalogs to group together
materials on the same topic. Also called controlled
vocabulary, descriptors, or thesaurus. (See also
Descriptor; Controlled Vocabulary). |
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T |
Terminal |
One station that is
part of a computer system. |
Thesaurus |
(1) A list of categorized
terms, such as synonyms and related words; (2)
. (See also Descriptor, Subject Heading). |
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U |
Uniform Resource Locator
|
See URL |
Upload |
To transfer information
from a computer system or a microcomputer to another
computer system or a larger computer system. |
URL |
Uniform Resource Locator |
URL (Uniform Resource
Locator) |
The string of characters
that identifies a particular web site and serves
as its "address." URLs may be entered in a web
browser to retrieve a known site. |
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V |
Virtual Reference
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see MY WEB LIBRARIAN |
Volume |
An item which contains
the total collection of all sequential periodical
issues over a given time period. |
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W |
Web |
See World Wide Web |
Web browser |
See Browser |
Wide Area Network
(WAN) |
Local area networks
connected together by using telephones or other
types of communications equipment. (See also Local
Area Networks/LAN) |
World Wide Web
|
A network of information,
as a part of the Internet, that includes text,
graphic, sound and moving images. Also know as
the Web or WWW or W(3) It incorporates a variety
of Internet tools into one method of access, such
as the Web browser Netscape, Mosaic, or Lynx.
(See also Internet). |
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Last
updated:
January 9, 2006
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© Copyright 2005 Benedictine University :
All Rights Reserved |
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