Calhoun Community College Libraries

Library Terminology

A B C D E F H I K L M N O P R S U V W Y

AAC (Advanced Audio Coding)/WMA (Windows Media Audio):

These are other audio compression formats, developed by Apple and Microsoft respectively. AAC is generally regarded as the higher-quality format among MP3, AAC, and WMA.

Acceptable Use Policy:

The official policy statement regarding the use of library computers and the access of the Internet from these computers.

Alicat:

The automated system which contains the AULS (Alabama Union List of Serials) data. It can be used to find which Alabama libraries subscribe to a particular journal and which volumes and dates are held.

Almanac:

Name given to a volume that is a collection of miscellaneous facts and statistical information.

APLS:

Alabama Public Library Service.

AULS (Alabama Union List of Serials):

A list of the holdings of all current and retrospective periodical titles of contributing Alabama libraries.

Authentication:

Establishing the identity of a person and verifying their right to access specific databases or computer functions.

Bibliography:

A list of books, articles, and other materials on a related subject.

Boolean Operators:

Specific terms used to narrow or broaden computer searches. The most common Boolean operators are: and, or, not. Other operators include: near, with, except, in.

Bound Volumes:

Periodicals that have been bound together in book format.

Brewer Library:

The main library of Calhoun Community College. It is located on the Decatur Campus.

Bug:

An error in a program. Bugs usually cause programs, and often the computer, to stop.

Cache:

An intermediate storage location that keeps a copy of information you have already seen. Cache helps reduce network traffic and makes using the Web faster.

CD-ROM (Compact Disc-Read Only Memory):

An optical storage device that contains millions of bytes of information. It can only be read; it cannot be edited or written to (hence the "read only memory").

Circulating Material:

Books or other library material that may be checked out for use outside the library.

Circulating Stacks:

An area in the library for the shelving of books that may be checked out to users for their use outside of the library.

Circulation Desk:

The area of the library where books and other library material may be checked out and/or returned.

Database:

A collection of interrelated data stored so that authorized users may access it.

Directory:

A book that lists the names and addresses of persons, organizations, or institutions.

Disk (diskette):

A storage device for computer information.

Download:

To copy a file from a remote system to your computer or to a floppy disk; or to move information "down" from your computer onto a floppy disk or to a remote source.

E-mail (electronic mail):

The electronic transfer of messages from one computer to another.

Encyclopedia:

A reference book that gives an overview of a topic, including definition, descriptions, background, and bibliographical references.

ERIC (Educational Resources Information Center):

ERIC is a clearinghouse of general information for teachers and covers all subject areas.

FAQ (Frequently Asked Questions):

A file that lists commonly asked questions, along with their answers, on a specific subject or in a specific area.

FAT32 (File Allocation Table):

A digital file system patented by Microsoft. It determines how data will be stored on a hard drive or other digital storage medium.

FLAC (Free Lossless Audio Codec):

A lossless compression format, which means that sound is stored without compromising the integrity of the original sound. This is comparable to how files can be "zipped" without any loss of data, only FLAC files can be played directly from a compatible player.

Floppy Disk:

A removable device for storing data files.

Format:

The process of preparing a disk for use by DOS. Disks must be formatted before they are usable for the storing of information. Without formatting, the computer cannot "read" the disk.

Full-text:

In electronic databases, full-text indicates that a specific article can display on screen the complete text exactly as it appeared in the print copy of the magazine. Please note that full-text does not necessarily mean "full image" (pictures, photographs, and graphs may not be present).

Handbook:

A small book that provides instruction and/or miscellaneous items of information in a specific area. It may also be called a manual or companion.

Hard Copy:

Term used to describe a book or journal in actual paper, printed format as opposed to micro or electronic form.

HFS+ (Hierarchical File System):

The digital file system patented by Apple. It determines how data will be stored on a hard drive or other digital storage medium.

Icon:

A picture that represents a program or computer command.

Interlibrary Loan:

A procedure for borrowing books, periodicals and other materials from other libraries.

Index:

A book or electronic database that indicates where information can be found, but does not provide the actual information.

Internet:

The term Internet refers to a global network of computers and computer networks. Most computers are connected through telephone lines.

Intralibrary Loan:

A procedure for borrowing books within the Calhoun system (That is to say, between the Brewer Library/Decatur Campus and the Huntsville Campus Library/Huntsville Research Park Campus).

Keyword Search:

A computer search method using a significant word, or words, in a title, subject, or author's name.

LAN (Local Area Network):

A means of connecting computers that share programs, data and databases within a defined area, such as an office or building.

Huntsville Campus Library (Huntsville Campus Library):

Calhoun facility, primarily for the accessing of electronic information, located on the Huntsville/Research Park Campus.

Lossy Compression:

This is a mathematical algorithm used for the purposes of shrinking the amount of audio data in a file. It does so by cutting data used in sound frequencies and volumes that aren't expected to be heard. Files which use lossy compression are largely measured by how many kilobytes per second of audio (kb/s) are stored in the file.

Microfiche:

Storage medium in which microimages are arranged in a grid pattern on a sheet of film. It requires special equipment to read and/or print the information contained therein.

Microfilm:

A film in the form of a roll that contains microimages arranged sequentially.

MP3 (MPEG-1 Audio Layer 3):

A special format for storing digital audio data. It reduces how much data is included in the file through lossy compression.

Network:

Several computers hooked together making it easier to share printers and information, run programs, and access files.

On-line:

Most commonly, on-line refers to the concept of being actively connected to the Internet. However, it can also refer to the fact that a computer or printer is powered-up, connected, and ready for use.

OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog):

An electronic "card catalog". The Calhoun OPACs provide the holdings in electronic format of both the Brewer Library and Huntsville Campus Library.

Password:

A unique alpha-numeric character string that a computer uses to verify a person’s right to access the computer or a specific database.

Peer Reviewed Journal

A journal in which the articles in the special field covered were reviewed by an outside body of experts prior to publication.

Periodicals:

Publications such as magazines, journals, and newspapers that appear at regular, predictable, short intervals.

Print Card: (also called a "vend card")

A special card needed to print from the Brewer Library and Huntsville Campus Library laser printers. It can be purchased from the vend units located on the wall near the Circulation Desk at both the Brewer Library and the Huntsville Campus Library. The Print Card is also used to print in the English lab on the Decatur Campus.

Reference Book:

A specific kind of publication that has been planned and written so that it may be consulted for specific items or information rather than be read in its entirety.

Reference Stacks:

An area in the library specifically for the shelving of reference books that do not circulate but remain in the library for use in the library only.

Reserve Shelf:

An area in the library for the shelving of materials designated by individual instructors for the specific use of students registered in their classes.

Save:

The process of transferring information from memory to a file on a disk (whether hard or floppy) for permanent, long-term storage.

Scrobbling:

The process of installing and running a program that captures information from your music player about the artists, songs, and albums that you are listening to at any given time. That information is then uploaded to an online account for the purpose of creating customized features. Scrobbling is specifically associated with the service Last.FM but is slowly growing to encompass any like service.

Search Engine:

A program that allows users to search and retrieve specific information from the Web. Examples are: Excite, HotBot, Alta Vista, WebCrawler, Lycos, etc.

Stacks:

An area in the library for the shelving of books that circulate (checked out by patrons).

Streaming:

The process by which computers deliver audio information to others over a network. The computer reading the file plays audio as data is delivered, without downloading the file.

Style Manual:

A style manual is a guide, or handbook, which gives the rules for documenting research. The most commonly used styles are: MLA (English and Literature); APA (Psychology and the Social Sciences); Chicago (History).

URL (Uniform Resource Locator):

A method for specifying the addresses of things on the Web.

Username:

A unique alpha-numeric character string that a computer uses to verify a person’s identity.

Telecourse Materials

Special course materials (VHS/DVD/CD) checked out by the term to those students enrolled in specific telecourses.

Vend Card:

see "print card".

Web (World Wide Web):

Often called the Web or the WWW. It is a highly graphical Internet service that enables users to retrieve hypertext and graphics from various sites.

Web Page:

A document that has been placed on the Internet via the World Wide Web.

Web Site:

A collection of documents on the World Wide Web maintained by one individual or group pertaining to the mission, interests, or goals of that individual or group.

WMA (Windows Media Audio)/AAC (Advanced Audio Coding):

These are other audio compression formats, developed by Apple and Microsoft respectively. AAC is generally regarded as the higher-quality format among MP3, AAC, and WMA.

Workstation:

An individual computer along with its keyboard and monitor.

Yearbook:

A book that presents the events of a particular year.