Library Lingo: Volume I

Do librarians often confuse you with words such as "stacks" or "circulation desk"? Following is the first in a four part volume of library-speak...

APL – Austin Public Library

Boolean operators - words such as AND, OR, and NOT that are used to combine search terms to broaden or narrow a search of an electronic database, index, or catalog; examples are “dogs and training” or “titanic and DVD”; for help in using Boolean operators in our online catalog, visit the Findit Help page

call number – unique combination of letters and numbers on the spine of each item in a library, used to group materials by similar subjects and enable the material to be found on the shelves; our call numbers are in Dewey Decimal format

catalog - list of library materials contained in a collection; most library catalogs are online

catalog record – all information on any given library item, including a description of the item, author, title, subject headings, notes, and the call number

cataloging - process of creating records for a catalog; usually includes describing the item, giving it subject headings, assigning a call number, and preparing the item for the shelf

checkout desk - counter where library materials are checked out and returned, fines are paid, and new and replacement library cards issued; also known as the circulation desk

circulation - refers to the checking out and return of library materials

circulation desk - counter where library materials are checked out and returned, fines are paid, and new and replacement library cards issued; also known as the checkout desk