Useful words glossary

A

Abstract
A short summary of the information contained in journal articles and other publications
Athens
see IT services login

B

Barcode
This is found usually in the back of the book, but occasionally in the front of the book. The barcode is scanned when checking the item in or out of the Library
Bibliographic database
A database of records describing books, journal articles and other information resources, sometimes including the full text but usually providing just a summary or abstract
Bibliography
List of relevant publications consulted, including any material not directly cited / referenced in the text
BioMed Grid
A resource located in the Medical School, with study space, IT equipment and a reference collection of core biomedical textbooks
Book Return
See Check-in
Book Sorter
The Book Sorter is found on the Floor 1 of the library and is housed in a glass room. Items for return are fed into this machine which then removes them from your record and issues a receipt for the return
Booking
This is an online system used for booking Short Loan items for a specific day
Boolean logic
Using the words AND, OR, and NOT to combine keywords for a search.  See also Logical operators
Borrower number

Borrowers use this number to book items, place holds, access My Library & E Resources

C

Catalogue
See Library catalogue
Check-in
This is a term used to return items to the library using the Book Sorter
Check-out
This is a term used when borrowing items from the library these are checked–out using the self-service machines
Citation
Description of a resource such as a book or journal article, giving in a consistent format all the information needed for someone else to be able to locate the resource. See also Reference
Claims returned
When borrowers inform the library that they have returned an item and it is still showing on their record we complete a ‘claims return’ form
Classmark
All books have a classmark which informs the borrower where in the Library they can be located.  It appears on a label on the spine of each book and in the catalogue record for it
The ownership of published material that prohibits others from copying it without permission, by law

D

Database
A searchable, electronic store of data.  Also see Bibliographic database

E

et al

Literally "and others". Used when there are more than two authors

F

Fines
This is a charge that is placed on items returned late to the Library

H

HRI (Horticultural Research Institute)

This is a library which is off campus but is part of the University.  This is a facility for PG and staff use only items can be requested via a form located on Floor 1 on the Library

Holds shelf

The Holds shelf is where reserved items are located.  These items are placed on the ‘holds-shelf’ for a short period until the borrower who placed the hold collects their request.  The holds section can be located in the Short Loan area

I

IT Services login

All staff and students are allocated this, amongst other things it is used to access the Library resources

In Processing

This is where items new to the Library are processed ready for the shelves

Issue

This term is used to refer to a specific part of a Journal, published at regular intervals, such as weekly or monthly

ibid

This is an abbreviation for the Latin work ibidem, “in the same place”, referring to the previously cited reference

id
This is an abbreviation for the Latin word idem, “the same”, meaning that the item cited is by the author of the item cited immediately before

J

Journal
Regular, or serial, publication containing articles by numerous authors. (see also Serial and Periodical)

L

Learning Grid

This is a study space with IT equipment and a collection of core textbooks for reference use.  The Learning Grid is based within University House, and is available 24 hours a day and 7 days a week

Library Catalogue

An online listing of all the material held by the Library, sometimes referred to as OPAC (Online public Access Catalogue) or Webcat

Logical operators
Using the words AND, OR, and NOT to combine keywords for a search.  (See also Boolean logic)

M

MRC

The Modern Records Centre is located in the building to the rear of the Library and can be accessed at the front of that building.  It is where the archives collection and also all Warwick PhD Theses and Research Master are held.  Items are for reference use only

Magazine

Regular, or serial, publication containing many different types of content such as letters, pictures, tips, stories, etc

Missing

This term is used when books are lost

N

n.b.

This is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase nota bene, “please note”

O

OPAC
See Library Catalogue
On Order

This is sometimes seen on the Library catalogue and indicates that a book has been ordered from a supplier ready to add to the Library stock.  A hold can still be placed on these items

Oversized – [qto]
Quarto books are too big to fit in with the normal size collection.  They are shelved in a separate sequence and their classmark begins with [Qto]
op.cit.

This is an abbreviation for the Latin phrase opera citato, “in the work cited”, referring the reader back to the author’s previously cited work but to a different page

P

Pamphlets – [pam]
Pamphlets are books that are too small in size and have fewer pages than normal size books.  They are shelved in a separate sequence and their classmark begins with [pam]
Periodical
Any regular or serial publication. (Also see Magazine, Serial and Journal)
Plagiarism

Passing other people's work off as your own

R

Recall

Borrowers will receive an email message sent to their University e-mail account asking them to return items which have been requested by another borrower.  Items not returned after the recall message will incur a heavy fine

Reference

See also citation.  Description of a resource such as a book or journal article, giving in a consistent format all the information needed for someone else to be able to locate the resource

Reference use

For use in the Library only, these books can not be taken out from the library.  They will have FUILO on the label on the spine of the book

Research Exchange
See Wolfson Research Exchange

S

SLC
see Short Loan Collection
Sconul Access Scheme

Is a scheme in which members of the University can have access to other Universities which belong to the scheme

Self-issue machine
See Check-out
Serial
Any regular or serial publication. (Also see Magazine, Periodical and Journal)
Short Loan Collection

Is a collection of items including DVDs and videos which are in high demand and can be checked-out for a number of hours only

Store/External Store

Items which are no longer current and have been moved to one of the Library’s 2 Stores, they can be requested through an online request form on the catalogue

Synonym

A word that means the same as another word

T

Teaching Grid

An area located on Floor 2 of the library for the use of Academic Staff to help and encourage the use of new technology for teaching

V

Volume

All Journals have a volume number. Several issues of a Journal form a Volume

W

WebBridge

WebBridge is a link resolver. It provides links to resources related to the citation/item you are currently viewing. It allows you to link easily to other resources that may be of interest, including the full text of journal articles

Webcat
See Library catalogue
Wolfson Research Exchange

This is an area for Researchers and Postgraduate Research students to meet with like minded people to discuss their research and ideas.  This facility is based in the extension building on Floor 3 of the library