CORNELL UNIVERSITY LIBRARIES JARGON AND OTHER TERMSCornell University Libraries
Ithaca, New York 14853
1977
z 1006 C81+
Cornell University. Libraries. Cornell University Libraries Jargon and other terms / [Margaret J. Oaksford, compiler]. Ithaca, N.Y. : Cornell University Libraries, 1977 1 v. : ill. ; 28 cm.
Cover title: Jargon.
1. Library science--Dictionaries. 2. Cornell University. Libraries. I. Title. II. Title: Jargon.
INTRODUCTION (1977 ed.)
Cornell University Libraries Jargon and Other Terms was compiled for the use of staff members who may be unfamiliar with library terminology or the Cornell University Libraries.
The first such Glossary of Terms was compiled by Susanne Hendsey in 1971 for use in library orientation programs. Since that time, many changes have taken place at Cornell University Libraries and in the profession itself. Cornell University Libraries Jargon attempts to reflect some of these changes.
The terms, phrases, jargon, acronyms, initials, etc., selected for inclusion were those thought to be of broad interest throughout the Cornell system. Some terms with strictly local applications, however, were omitted, as were many subject reference tools of too limited scope. Many technical terms have been added, although this list cannot be considered comprehensive.
This booklet cannot possibly answer all questions a new person might have. Department manuals should be consulted as much as possible for the context of many terms. Dictionaries or glossaries of library terms from trade publishers may also be consulted, even though they are uneven in coverage and definition. Many such publications also have a slant which means that the definitions may appear in a different context. Such publications were, of course, consulted in the compilation of this booklet, but definitions were rewritten in order to fit local usage and to comply with the copyright law.
The arrangement is strictly alphabetical. Since acronyms are made up of parts and/or first letters of words, they appear without periods after each letter and are pronounced as words (e.g. ARC, CONSER). Initials stand for one word in a phrase and in this booklet have a period after each letter to show that each letter is pronounced. However, some phrases of initials appear in texts without the periods, such as ISSN, ISBN. Generally there is a cross reference from the acronym or initials to the full name of the body or organization. There are a few exceptions, however, where the initials or acronym are better known, such as FAUL, O.C.L.C. and ARC.
The jargon included was contributed by many individuals. The compiler acknowledges with thanks the special contributions of Cornelia Tyler, Head of Reference at Mann Library; Linda West, Head of Cataloging, Olin Library; and most particularly Marie Gast, who spent many hours editing and suggesting terms and changes.
Margaret J. Oaksford, Compiler Olin Library 6 November 1977 Contributors: Marie Gast, Marcia Jebb, Ved Kayastha, Frances Lauman, J. Gormly Miller, Margaret Oaksford, Donald Robbins, John Saylor, Kyle Summerskill, William Treat, Cornelia Tyler, Elaine Walker, Linda West and Mary Lee Xanco.
BIBLIOGRAPHY OF SELECTED SOURCES
American Library Association. Editorial Committee. Subcommittee on Library Terminology. A.L.A. glossary of terms, with a selection of terms in related fields. Prepared under the direction of the Committee on Library Terminology of the American Library Association, by Elizabeth Thompson. Chicago, American Library Association, 1971 [c1943]
The bookman's glossary. 5th edition. Edited by Jean Peters. New York, Bowker, 1975.
Cornell University. Libraries. Handbook of the libraries for graduate students and faculty. Ithaca, N.Y., 1973.
Cornell University. Libraries. Manual of cataloging procedures. [Editor: Robert B. Slocum (et al)] 2nd edition. Ithaca, N.Y., 1969
Encyclopedia of library and information science. New York, Dekker, 1968(in progress)
Harrod, Leonard Montage. The librarians' glossary of terms used in librarianship and the book crafts, and reference books. [3rd rev. ed.] London, Deutsch [1971]
Heliger, Edward M. Library automation: experience methodology, and technology of the library as an information system, by Edward M. Heiliger and Paul B. Henderson. New York, McGraw-Hill [c1971]
CUL JARGON and other terms
A.A.C.R.: Anglo-American cataloging rules. General rules for entries and descriptive cataloging.
A.A.C.R. II: The second edition of the above.
Abstract: A brief summary of a book, pamphlet or periodical article.
Academic Assembly: Membership includes all academic staff of Cornell University Libraries, but any staff member may attend when agenda is relevant to his or her work. Monthly meetings are conducted by the Director of Libraries. Complete minutes are distributed to the entire staff. The standard agenda includes reports from the Director, Assistant Directors, committees and meetings. There is frequent discussion from the floor.
Academic Personnel Policy Committee: A standing committee of the Academic Assembly which deals with personnel policy, the economic status of librarians, appoints promotion committees, etc.
Academic Resources Center: SEE ARC.
Academic staff: "The academic staff of the University Libraries under the Director of Libraries, shall consist of the Associate Director and such assistant directors, librarians, associate librarians, assistant librarians, archivists, associate archivists and assistant archivists as may be designated by the President from time to time." (c.f. Cornell University Board of Trustees.)
Academic year: Begins with the fall term and ends with graduation in May or June.
Access: (n.) In general, the availability of information; ability or privilege to obtain wanted materials such as books. Direct access allows one to go directly to the stacks for books or periodicals. (v.) To look up, to consult...
Account numbers: SEE Fund numbers.
Acquisitions Department: (also called Order Department) The administrative unit in Olin, Mann, Vet., I.L.R. and Law Libraries in charge of selecting books, microforms, etc., and acquiring them by purchase or gift and exchange, and keeping necessary records.
Added entry: SEE Entry.
Africana Studies Library: Located in the Africana Studies Center, it contains required and supplementary materials for the curriculum, with emphasis on recent publications.
A.L.A.: SEE American Library Association.
American Library Association. The largest national professional library organization. Publishes several professional journals and through committees, sponsors library research.
Analytic: SEE Entry.
Analyzed series: SEE Series.
Anglo-American cataloging rules: SEE A.A.C.R.
Annex Library: Facility to be located in the old Cornell apple orchard on Route 366, where less used monographs and serials will be shelved. Scheduled to open in 1978.
Annotation: Criticism and/or commentary. An annotated bibliography contains descriptive notes about books or articles listed. (e.g. Library Journal contains annotations in the form of reviews.)
AQ2: (Called A.Q. 2) Multiple order form used by Olin Acquisitions Department and by College and Department Libraries served by Olin Library.
ARC: Academic Resources Center. A unit of Uris Library which maintains a directory of campus resources such as information on location of audiovisual materials and equipment and personnel; academic advising and counseling services; tutorial services; locations of special nonbook collections; library instruction and orientation. ARC can also be accessed through the Mann Library Reference Desk.
Archives: (Department of Manuscripts and University Archives) A repository for papers relating to all aspects of economic, political, social and educational history of New York State and areas historically connected with it. The University Archives is the designated repository for the official records of Cornell University as well as for collections of papers of Cornell founders, presidents, faculty members, students and alumni. Much of this historical source material is in the form of letters, reports, accounts, diaries, journals, scrapbooks, broadsides, maps, pictures, films, tape recordings, etc. Located on the first floor of Olin Library.
Area classification: A classification used for a compact storage collection presently in Olin Library. See also Classification.
Audio-visual materials: Non-book materials such as filmstrips, recordings, films, video-tape, etc.
Author: The writer; the person or body responsible for the existence of any given written, filmed or recorded work.
A-v materials: SEE Audio-visual materials.
BARC: Bibliographic and Reference Center. A contract service between the South Central Research Library Council and Cornell University Libraries. BARC is administered by Cornell University Libraries and is located in Interlibrary Services. BARC utilizes the resources of Cornell University to help other Library Council members with bibliographic problems.
Bibliographic Retrieval Services, Inc.: SEE B.R.S.
Bibliography: A list of books, articles, serials of a particular author, printer, country, subject or theme. The literature of a subject.
B.I.P.: Books in Print; the author and title indexes to the Publishers' Trade List Annual (q.v.). Listings by subject are found in Subject Guide to Books in Print.
Blanket order: An order placed with a dealer or publisher to automatically supply all publications. Sometimes limited to special subjects. (e.g. Cornell University Libraries has a blanket order to receive all publications of certain university presses.)
B.L.L.: SEE British Lending Library.
B.P.A. Library: SEE Business and Public Administration Library.
Books in Print: SEE B.I.P.
British Lending Library: Located at Boston Spa, England, B.L.L. fills many interlibrary borrowing photoduplication requests for Cornell which have been routed through the Center for Research Libraries via C.R.L.'s Journals Access Service.
B.R.S.: Bibliographic Retrieval Services, Inc. Provides low-cost on-line access to the following data bases: Medlars, Biosis Previews, Chemical Abstracts Condensates, Psychological Abstracts, AGRICOLA (AGRICultural On-Line Access), ERIC (q.v.), N.T.I.S. (q.v.), INSPEC (includes Physics Abstracts, Electrical and Electronic Abstracts, Computer and Control Abstracts.) Located at Mann and Olin Reference Departments.
Bulletin, CUL: A quarterly publication edited by the Cornell University Libraries staff.
Business and Public Administration Library: Services the Business and Public Administration Graduate School. Located in Malott Hall. Collection includes materials on business, public administration, hospital administration, quantitative analysis, method and statistics.
Call number: The symbols used to indicate the location of books on the shelves. Most call numbers in the Cornell University Libraries are in the Library of Congress classification. (q.v.)
Calspan: Formerly Cornell Aeronautical Laboratory, Buffalo. At present, provides N.T.I.S. microfiche duplicating service for the Cornell University Libraries.
Card catalog: Case of drawers which contain cards describing the holdings of a given library. Library users consult the card catalog to determine if the library owns the material wanted, and if so, the location (from the call number on the card).
Cassette: A container for magnetic tape or microfilm which does not require manual threading. In automation, a standard container for recording numerical information on magnetic tape.
Cataloging: Bibliographic and physical description of a monograph or serial. Includes author) title and imprint followed by the collation and further description.
Cataloging in Publication Project: Cooperative project between the Library of Congress and American publishers, the purpose being to supply advance L.C. cataloging information which is then printed on the verso of the title page.
Cataloging Manual: Manual of Cataloging Procedures, 1969- of Cornell University Libraries by Robert B. Slocum and others. The Manual is in loose leaf form and is continuously updated. (A best seller to other libraries!)
Catherwood Library: SEE Industrial and Labor Relations Library
Cathode ray tube: A vacuum tube similar to a television picture tube, used as a visual display device. With an attached keyboard, becomes a cathode ray tube terminal. (e.g. the O.C.L.C. and CONSER terminals.)
C.B.I.: Cumulative Book Index, an index of books published in the English language. Usually cumulated annually. An H.W. Wilson publication.
Center for Research Libraries: SEE C.R.L.
Central Libraries: Olin and Uris Libraries. The Central Library Administration is located 201 Olin Library.
Charge file: A file of McBee (edge-notched cards) arranged in call number order. This becomes a record of books lent or gives the location if a book is not on its shelf.
Check-out: The exit point of some libraries where library books and papers are checked to see if they have been properly charged.
C.I.P. Project: SEE Cataloging in Publication Project.
CIRCE: Cornell Information and Referral Center: An information desk located in Day Hall. (6-6200). Attempts to answer any questions concerning Cornell or will refer call to the proper individual or office for an answer.
Circulation: Activity centered in Circulation or Loan Departments and Reserve Desks. 1. The Lending of books (or other materials) to borrowers and the keeping of records of loans. 2. The total number of volumes lent during a given period of use outside the library.
Citation: A note of reference to a work from which a passage is quoted, or to some source of authority for a statement.
Classed, classified, classification: The division of materials by subject, number, size or any specified criteria for locating material in any particular order. L.C. classification is by subject; "area" classification (Olin) is classification by size and running (consecutive) number; and pamphlet classification is by subject and running number. See also Library of Congress classification and cataloging.
Closed stacks: SEE Stacks.
Collate: Bring together or assemble. Also, to examine a book or newspaper page by page to see that the pages, plates, etc. are in proper order and complete.
Collation: In cataloging, the physical description of a bibliographic item (book, tape, film) which appears on the line following the imprint.
COMARC: Cooperative Machine Cataloging. A cooperative plan for inputting retrospective catalog records pre-1968.
Command: (computers) A signal to initiate a predetermined type of computer operation.
COMPASS: COMPuter Assisted Search Services. A reference service which does literature searches through a computer terminal instead of from printed reference books. At Mann and Olin Libraries.
Computer: An electronic instrument which can solve problems by accepting data, performing various operations with the data, and supplying results. Computer terminals at Cornell University Libraries: Bibliographic Retrieval Services (B.R.S.) at Mann and Olin Libraries; NorthEast Water Resources Information Terminal (NEWRIT) at Engineering Library; LEXIS at the Law Library.
CONSER: CONversion of SERials Project. A cooperative effort to build a core data base of bibliographic information on serial titles to be available for use on the international, national, regional and local levels. Cornell University Libraries is a participant.
Consortia (consortium): Formal organizations of two or more institutions which seek to attain specific goals through cooperation. (e.g. S.C.R.L.C., FAUL, R.L.G.)
Continuation: SEE Standing order.
Conventional title: SEE Uniform title.
Conversion of Serials Project: SEE CONSER.
COO: O.C.L.C. symbol for Cornell University Libraries. Each participating library has its own code,
Copyright: _ The exclusive rights to publication, production or sale of a literary, dramatic, musical or artistic work as authorized by the U.S Constitution.
Corporate entry: A catalog or index entry under the name of an organization or institution, rather than under an individual name.
COSEP: Committee on Special Education Projects. Cornell program which provides financial aid and counseling for minority students.
Cross reference: A referral in a catalog or index from one heading to another. Also called a "reference" and "see-from" reference.
C.R.T.: At Cornell University Libraries means an I/O (input/output) terminal featuring a cathode ray tube display and a keyboard. See also Cathode ray tube.
C.R.L.: Center for Research Libraries. Cooperative organization of research institutions where members may deposit little used publications. The Center also acquires some esoteric materials to lend to constituents and acts as a switching point for Journals Access Service. (J.A.S., q.v.) Located in Chicago.
C.U.L.: (CUL) Cornell University Libraries.
CULSA: Cornell University Libraries Staff Association. Social, educational and cultural organization for all members of the library staff. Programs and social events are held periodically. Members have special book buying discount privileges.
Cumulated book index: SEE C.B.I.
Cutter number: An alpha-numeric scheme used in CUL for indication of the author or main entry following the L.C. or thesis classification number. Its purpose is as a filing device to alphabetize or arrange main entries within a given classification number.
Data: 1. (Computer application) Alpha and numeric characters which are processed by a computer. 2. (General use) Facts or information gathered for a specific purpose.
Data bank or base: A collection of data stored in a computer system in such a way that it may be retrieved by different means to form compilations for various purposes.
Data processing: Manipulation of data according to prescribed rules to obtain answers to specific questions.
Debug: Detect, locate and correct errors or problems in a computer program or malfunctions of a computer.
Dictionary catalog: A catalog in which all entries (authors, subjects, and titles) are interfiled into one general alphabet. Olin Library has a dictionary catalog.
Direct access: SEE Access.
Director's Council: Group comprised of the Director of Libraries, assistant directors, the Law-Librarian, the ILR Librarian, the Manager of Budget and Accounting, the Fine Arts Librarians the Uris Librarian, and the Personnel Officer. Membership may change from time to time. The group acts in an advisory capacity to the Director, and does not make policy.
Discharging: Canceling the loan record upon return of a book or other material lent.
Divided catalog: A card catalog separated into two or more units, such as an author/ title catalog, and a subject catalog. Mann Library and Physical Sciences Library (among others) have divided catalogs.
Doc Ex: SEE Documents Expediting Project.
Document: Contains recorded information on any physical form - paper, film, etc. Thus, a book is a document, as is a periodical article, a microfilm, etc. See also Government document.
Documents Expediting Project: (Doc Ex) Special project of the Exchange and Gift Division of the Library of Congress that distributes hard-to-obtain Federal publications, especially those not available through the Superintendent of Documents or the National Technical Information Service (N.T.I.S.)
Dup.: Duplicate.
Edge-notched cards: SEE McBee card.
Edition: All copies of a book printed at any time from the same setting of type. Includes impressions, issues and printing. According to Gaskill, a book reissued with less than half of the type being reset would be called another impression or issue. (P. Gaskill, A new introduction to bibliography. Oxford U.P., 1972.)
Educational Resources Information Center. (ERIC) Lists and provides resumes of educational research reports of interest to the educational community through B.R.S. or in book form. Mann Library holds microfiche of all ERIC reports since 1970.
Electrostatic printing: SEE Xerography.
Emergency Manual: A loose-leaf guide to handling emergency situations within the Cornell University Libraries This manual was developed and published by the CUL Committee on Emergencies and will be kept up to date. There is at least one copy in every CUL department.
End papers: A folded sheet of paper in a book,plain or printed, having one leaf that forms a pastedown and another that forms a fly leaf. Also called endleaf, endsheet.
Endowed campus: The University's schools and colleges which are privately funded and located on "lower campus". Included are the College of Arts and Sciences; the Graduate School of Business and Public Administration; the College of Engineering; the College of Architecture, Art and Planning; and the Law School.
Energy Research and Development Administration of the United States: Formerly the Atomic Energy Commission, its scope has broadened to include all forms of energy sources.
Engineering Library: Located in Carpenter Hall. Collections include materials on theoretical and applied mechanics, applied physics, industrial chemistry, space science technology, water resources development, material sciences and metallurgy. An endowed library.
Entry: A heading in a catalog or index under which a record of a book, serial article, etc. is located. Each cataloged book or serial has an entry in the card catalog, but entries for serial articles are found in periodical indexes only, not in the card catalog. A main entry is the entry under which an item is cataloged, and may be an individual author, a corporate body, or a title. These cards show all tracings, the number of copies in a given library, the number of volumes, inclusive dates, and may show contents. Every title in each CUL library has a separate main entry card in the Olin card catalog. Added entries are additional entries under which an item may be found, such as joint authors or editors, title, or series. Added entries are identifiable on main entry cards as being the tracings with roman numerals. Subject entries locate an item by subject and are identifiable on main entry cards as being the tracings with arabic numerals. Subject cards may be distinguished from similar title cards by the fact that the subjects are in capital letters. Older subject cards were typed in red. An analytic entry is for a small part of a larger work, such as an article in a collection or anthology. A series entry is under the series heading. See Appendix A for illustration.
E P A.: Environmental Protection Agency.
ERDA: SEE Energy Research and Development Administration of the United States.
ERIC: SEE Education Resources Information Center.
F.A.L.: Fine Arts Library (q.v.)
FAUL: ( Has been pronounced "fowl" and "fawl") Five Associated University Libraries: Cornell University, the University of Rochester, Syracuse University, SUNY Binghamton and SUNY Buffalo. A consortium originally established to promote cooperative projects which would increase the usefulness and availability of library materials. FAUL was instrumental in bringing O.C.L.C. to Cornell and is helping to finance CONSER. Borrowing privileges are extended to certain classes of users. Details are available from reference and circulation desks.
Filing title: SEE Uniform title.
Finals: Final examinations which are given at the end of the term.
Fine Arts Library: The main depository for architecture, art history, city and regional planning and visual arts materials. Located under the Sibley Dome. (An endowed library)
Fines: SEE Uniform fine policy.
Fiscal year: A "Budget" year which begins on a given day of a month, and ends the previous day of the following year. Endowed units fiscal year begins July 1 and ends June 30. Statutory units fiscal year begins April 1, and ends March 31 of the following year.
Five Associated University Libraries: SEE FAUL.
Flower Library: SEE Veterinary Library.
Folio: A book made of large sheets of paper folded once. Thus folio size is usually large, depending upon the original size of the paper.
Foreign Acquisitions Program: (Formerly PL 480) A cooperative foreign acquisitions program which is now dollar funded for the Library of Congress and 18 other participants, including Cornell University Libraries. Under this program, materials are received at Cornell from the following countries: India, Indonesia, Nepal, Pakistan, and Sri Lanka. Administered by Gifts and Exchange in Olin Library.
Fund number: Commonly used in reference to the ledger account to which a book purchase is charged.
The CUL Weekly Gazette: An official means of communication within the library system. All staff members are encouraged to submit items of information regarding library activities.
Gifts and Exchange: Administrative unit of the Olin Acquisitions Department which oversees gifts to CUL and exchanges with other libraries and institutions. Gifts and Exchange also manages the annual book sale for the endowed units. Gifts and exchange section of the Mann Library is administered by the Acquisitions Division.
Government documents: Monographs, serial publications, reports, communications; any official publication of a governmental agency on any level.
GRA/GRI: Government Reports Announcements/Government Reports Index. Abstracting and indexing journal of government reports available from N.T.I.S. (q.v.)
Hard copy: Usually paper copy which does not require magnification or a mechanical reader.
Hard cover: A cloth or buckram bound volume.
Hardware: The mechanical, electronic or otherwise non-human aspects of a computer.
Harris classification: SEE "Old catalog".
Holdings: 1. Monographs: Part(s) of work(s) owned by a library, and the number of copies owned. Holding statements for monographs are pencilled below the call number on the main and shelf list cards. Serial holdings are shown on "holdings cards" which are filed after the catalog card in the Serials Catalog. See Appendix.
Hotel Administration Library: Located in Statler Hall, its collections cover tourism, hotel, motel and restaurant administration, and food research.
H.R.A.F. or HRAF: Human Relations Area Files: An extensive collection of source material or microfiche of over 200 cultures. Consists of reproductions of books, manuscripts, translations, articles, arranged by subject. HRAF service is available from Uris Library.
I.L.L.: Interlibrary loan. A service for obtaining monographic or serial material not held in the local library. I.L.L. requests are made of other libraries or other lending institutions. Cornell University Libraries lend books and send photocopy through Interlibrary Services in the Olin Library.
I.L.R.: New York State School of Industrial and Labor Relations.
I.L.R. Catalog: Book catalog of all books and selected pamphlets in the I.L.R. Library, published by G.K. Hall.
I.L.R. Library: SEE Industrial and Labor Relations Library.
Imprint: Place of publication, publisher and date of publication.
Industrial and Labor Relations Library: (Catherwood Library) Located in Ives Hall, the Library has collections which cover all the major subject areas of industrial and labor relations, human resources, labor and market economics, statistics, labor law, international labor conditions, and labor problems. A statutory library.
Information retrieval: SEE Retrieval
INP: In process notation on Status List which indicates that the material has arrived at CUL and is being cataloged.
Interlibrary Services Department: Central office for interlibrary lending, borrowing and photoduplication located in Olin Library.
Intersession: The period between the end of one semester and the beginning of the following session.
I.S.B.N.: International Standard Book Number. Number identifies one title or edition of a title, from one specific publisher, and is unique to that title or edition. I.S.S.N.: International Standard Serial Number: An internationally accepted code for the identification of serial publications.
J.A.S.: SEE Journals Access Service.
Journal: A periodical or record on a specialized topic often issued by a professional publisher or society for a limited audience.
Journals Access Service: Free photocopy available through the Center for Research Libraries, which draws on its own holdings and on those of the British Lending Library. Service is available at any reference desk on campus. (See also BLL, CRL.)
Kardex: Refers to the check record of all current serials received by the Endowed Units of CUL with the exception of the Law Library. Located in the Olin Library Serials Department. (n.b. "Kardex" was the trade name of the original equipment. Present equipment is Acme Visible File.)
Labor Management Documentation Center: Located in 144 Ives Hall. Collects, processes and services original manuscripts, union constitutions, collective bargaining agreements, audiovisual materials, rare pamphlets, and books related to Industrial and Labor Relations. Some holdings described in the Industrial and Labor Relations card catalog.
Law Library: Located in Myron Taylor Halls this library constitutes the working laboratory for the Cornell Law School. The unique collections are described in the C.U.L Handbook of the Libraries.
L.C.: Library of Congress. (Catalog entries would read: U.S. Library of Congress.)
L.C. catalog card: A printed catalog card issued by the Library of Congress for the use of libraries throughout the United States. It is considered the most authoritative cataloging source.
Leaf: One sheet of paper plain or printed on one side only-. See also Page.
Lexis: Data base and terminal of computerized information which will print out files of court cases, statutes from federal courts and various states. Located at the Law Library,
Library Board: The body of faculty members and University administrators who meet to discuss library matters. This body acts in an advisory capacity to the Directors who is the only representative from the University Libraries.
Library Instruction and Orientation Center: Located in the Uris Library for the purpose of giving instruction in library use and coordinating library orientation activities for students.
Library Media Room: (Formerly Listening Rooms) The major repository for spoken word, audio-visual materials and equipment for the University Libraries. Located in Uris Library. (Music recordings are located in the Music Library.)
Library of Congress classification: The alpha-numeric system developed by the Library of Congress for its own collections. The alphabetic symbols denote broad, general subject areas, while the numerals which follow indicate facets within a subject. (e.g. D - History. DC - French history. DC 141 - French history, Revolutionary and Napoleonic period, 1789-1815 - Sources and documents.
Library Printing Service (L.P.S.) The Library Printing Service prints most of the library materials produced by campus libraries such as handbooks, posters, flyers, acquisitions lists, bibliographies, as well as catalog cards which cannot be obtained from O.C.L.C. (q.v.)
Library Resources and Services, Standing Committee on: A committee of the Academic Assembly. Its charge: 1. To examine the role of the libraries in relation to programs of research, instruction and public service of the University; also makes recommendations to the Assembly and the Director on policy issues in various areas.
Listening Rooms: SEE Library Media Room.
L.M.D.C.: Labor Management Documentation Center. (q.v.)
Lower campus: SEE Endowed Units.
L.P.S. SEE Library Printing Service.
Main entry: SEE Entry.
Machine Readable: Information encoded in a form such as magnetized spots on computer tape which can be read by a machine.
Mann Library: Albert R. Mann Library which serves the New York State College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and the New York State College of Human Ecology. Collections encompass agriculture, biological sciences, education, home economics, child development, rural sociology and other topics in support of the colleges' programs. A statutory library.
Mansell: The publisher of the NUC Pre-1956 Imprints. This particular set of N.U.C.s (q.v.) is often referred to by the publisher's name.
Manuscripts and Archives, Department of: SEE Archives.
Maps, Microtexts and Newspapers Department: Located on the lower level of Olin Library.
MARC: MAchine Readable Cataloging. Machine readable tapes of cataloging done by the Library of Congress and sold to libraries on subscription. The contents of MARC tapes are constantly being added to the O.C.L.C. data bases. MARC records constitute the final accepted cataloging for any given title and supersede cataloging of the same title done by other libraries.
Master Series List: Computer-based list of monographic series on standing order. Updated periodically. Official title: Standing Order Monographic Series List.
Mathematics Library: Located at White Hall with collections in all fields of mathematics.
McBee card: Trade name of the charge cards used for coded circulation records in the library system. (Generic term: edge-notched cards.) See Appendix.
M.e. Main entry. (SEE under Entry.)
Media: Radio, television, newspapers, periodicals, any form of communication which reaches large numbers of people.
Microcard: A trademark of the Microcard Corporation for a micro-opaque card. Card size is 3 x 5 inches.
Microfiche: A sheet of microfilm containing micro-images in a grid pattern. It usually contains a title which can be read without magnification.
Microfilm: A fine-grain, high resolution film containing an image greatly reduced in size from the original. Library microfilm is produced in 16 or 35 mm. reels, usually with a reduction ratio of from 18 to 24.
Microprint: A trademark of Readex Microprint Corporation for a micro-opaque card produced by a printing press process using ink on paper. Card size is 6 x 9 inches.
Microtext: A generic term for any form, either film or paper, which contains micro images .
MMN: Maps, Microtexts and Newspapers (q.v.)
Monograph: A treatise published singly on one subject. A book.
Monographic series: A series of monographs with a collective title, sometimes issued by a university or society. Each monograph may or may not be bibliographically independent, but the series are usually related in subject or interest.
M.R.D.F: Machine Readable Data Files
Music Library: Located in Lincoln Hall, second floor. Collections include books, scores, microfilms and sound recordings. The sound recordings are noted only in the Music Library card catalog.
N.A.L.: National Agricultural Library (Catalog entry: U.S. National Agricultural Library.)
NASA: National Aeronautics and Space Administration. (Most NASA reports are received by the Engineering Library.)
National bibliography: A catalog of books current or retrospective which attempts to list the complete publishing output of any one country. The national bibliography for the United States is the National Union Catalog (q.v.).
National Technical Information Service of the U.S. Department of Commerce. (N.T.I.S.) The control source for public sale of government sponsored research, development and engineering publications.
National Union Catalog: (N.U.C.) A card catalog located in the Library of Congress showing the reported holdings from hundreds of libraries in United States and Canada. N.U.C. is periodically issued in book form for various time periods. Cumulations of N.U.C. held in Olin Library cover imprints from ca. 1898 (and earlier) to 1955 (also called Mansell); the second cumulation covers 1956-67. N.U.C.s are cumulated every five years, every year, and quarterly during the year.
Networking: (Libraries) A plan of communication between two or more libraries to accomplish certain established goals. (e.g. interlibrary loan, cooperative cataloging.) Method of communication may be teletype, computer generated, telephone, mail, messenger, etc. Networks are often between consortium members e.g. S.C.R.L.C., Research Libraries Group, O.C.L.C., FAUL (all q.v.).
New or revised edition: An edition containing substantial revision from the original text. Also used when more than half of the type has been reset. (See also Edition and Reprint)
New Serial Titles: (N.S.T.) An update and continuation of the Union List of Serials.
NEWRIT: Northeast Water Resources Information Terminal. A computerized bibliographic information retrieval service located in the Engineering Library. Offers custom on-line subject searches in fields of water resources, nuclear science, and energy.
NIC (called N.I.C.): The National Union Catalog symbol for Cornell University Libraries. (New York. Ithaca. Cornell.) NIC-A: Mann Library; NIC-V: Veterinary Library.
N.L.M.: National Library of Medicine.
Non-print media: Communication in a form other than books, periodicals or the printed word. Included are films, audio-visual tapes, television, sound recordings, slides, etc.
N.P.A.C.: SEE National Program for Acquisitions and Cataloging.
N.S.T.: SEE New Serial Titles.
N.T.I.S.: SEE National Technical Information Service.
N.U.C.: SEE National Union Catalog.
N.U.C Pre-1956: SEE National Union Catalog and Mansell.
Nutrition Library: Located in 118 Savage Hall, this library is comprised of a basic collection of reference books, textbooks, periodicals and theses in the fields of nutrition and biochemistry. A department library not part of the CUL system.
NYLA ("Nila") New York Library Association. The professional library association for New York State librarians.
N.Y.P.L.: New York (City) Public Library.
NYSILL: (At Cornell, called "Nissil"; elsewhere, "Nice-ill".) New York State Interlibrary Loan. State network centered in the State Library at Albany to serve all libraries in the State by lending books or photoduplicating serial articles not held in the collection of the requesting library or in any of the requester's consortium partners. SEE Subject Referral Center Libraries.
O.C.: "Old Catalog". Card catalog showing remaining material not reclassified with L.C. classification. Located at end of "Z" of Olin dictionary catalog.
O.C.L.C.: Ohio College Library Center. A library processing center which has a data base built on the holdings of its constituent libraries and MARC records. Cataloging data is received on-line, and upon command, catalog cards are produced. Also acts as a union catalog by giving locations of libraries holding any given title.
O.C.S.: SEE Office of Computer Services.
Octavo: A sheet folded (in half) three times to form a section of eight leaves or sixteen pages.
Off-line: An operation or device that is not in direct communication with the computer. In an off-line mode, human intervention is necessary between data entry and ultimate processing. See also On-line.
Office of Computer Services: Serves numerous offices and projects of Cornell University. Located in Langmuir Laboratory in Langmuir Park.
Ohio College Library Center: SEE O.C.L.C.
Olin Library: Part of the central library of the CUL system and the Cornell research library which primarily serves arts and sciences upperclassmen, graduate students and faculty. Although it has a large general collection, its main subject strengths are in the social sciences and humanities. (Not to be confused with Olin Hall.)
On-line: An operation or device that is in direct communication with the computer. In an on-line mode, no human intervention is necessary between the input of data and computer output. See also Off-line.
On-order file: SEE Status list.
ORD.: Ordered. Notation on Status list that material is on order, but not yet received.
Page: One side of a leaf; a sheet of paper which is printed on both sides. (One leaf - 2 pages.)
Pagination: A description of page numbering in a book.
Paging: (Page, a library assistant) The act of an assistant ("page") who carries books (or other material) to and from the stacks upon request. For bibliographic paging, SEE Pagination.
Pamphlet, Pamphlet classification: Classification for a small item, usually a monograph of under 100 pages, bound in a simple cardboard binding called "pam bind". Classification for "pams" is simply the first or the first and second letters of the L.C. classification followed by a chronological accession number.
Perfect binding: Folded section of volume (SEE Signature) is cut, the loose sheets then being coated with a strong, but flexible adhesive. Often covered with paper. Thus "paperback".
Periodical: A serial publication intended to appear indefinitely at regular intervals. Usually contains separate articles or other writings. A periodical is a serial (q.v.), but all serials are not periodicals.
Periodical index: A subject, sometimes also author and title index to a group of periodicals. (e.g. Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature.)
Photocopy project: A list of journals annotated to give individual publisher's policies for photocopying multiple copies. Prepared primarily for reserve desks at CUL.
Photoduplication: Various printing and reprographic methods used for quick duplication: e.g. Xerography, Olivettiography, offset lithography! microfilm, photostat, etc.
Physical Sciences Library: Located on the second floor of Clark Hall, has broad collections covering astronomy, chemistry, physics and other related fields.
P.L. 480: SEE Foreign Acquisitions Program.
Pre-'56 NUC: SEE National Union Catalog.
Pre-lims: Tests given early in the term, but may be given any time before the midterm or final examinations.
Press: (as relates to shelving) A single side of shelves with more than two tiers, placed end to end. When double-sided, called a range.
Printer: The individual or firm which actually prints material. A printer is sometimes, but not always, the publisher. (q.v.)
Privilege cards: Library use cards issued to certain readers outside of the Cornell Community.
Procedure Manual: An on-going compilation of policies and procedures of Cornell University Libraries, filed in a distinctive green loose-leaf binder. Published by the University Libraries Administration, the Manual is available in all CUL departments for all staff members to read. See also Emergency Manual.
Professional Development, Standing Committee on: A committee of the Academic Assembly whose charge is: current awareness, professional literature, continuing education, staff development, professional assignments, support for library issues, professional relations, clearinghouse for announcements of professional meetings, associations, job openings, opportunities.
P-slip: A plain piece of paper the size of a catalog card, sometimes with punched hole for use in a catalog drawer.
P.T.L.A.: SEE Publishers' Trade List Annual.
Publication date: The date a book was actually published. This date sometimes varies from the copyright date. (q.v.)
Publisher: The individual, corporation, society, etc. responsible for the underwriting, printing, and distribution of a work. See also Printer.
Publishers' Trade List Annual: A compilation of current publishers' catalogs. Authors, titles and subjects are indexed in the various volumes of Books in Print. (B.I.P.)
Q.v.: (Quod vide) which see.
R.A.: Research associate or research assistant.
Range: Double sided shelving or bookcase of not less than four tiers. (See also Press).
Ready reference: Reference books other than abstracts, bibliographies, or indexes used for quick information requiring a single, simple answer.
Recto: The right hand page of a book or the front of a single sheet. A single page title page is usually on the recto. See also Verso.
Reference: 1. A direction from one heading to another (also called cross or x-reference). 2. A note referring to another document or passage.
Reference and Research Library Resources Councils: (3Rs) A statewide network of library consortia organized by the University of the State of New York to foster cooperation between all types of libraries. At present, each council is organized around the geographical boundaries of one or more public library systems. SEE S.C.R.L.C.
Reference Librarians' Roundtable: An organization of reference librarians at Cornell who meet regularly to discuss problems of mutual interest or to have a program. Meetings are open to all interested staff.
Reference service: The aid given by a librarian or surrogate, to a reader or library user to find information. The extent and level of service given varies according to the question and its complexity.
Regional Depository: Libraries designated by the Superintendent of Documents to accept and permanently keep a complete collection of publications, thus making it unnecessary for other depositories to retain their documents after five years. Cornell is a Federal Depository Library. Some federal publications are cataloged and added to the collection at CUL, other documents are available on microprint.
Regional History and University Archives: Former name of the Department of Manuscripts and Archives. SEE Archives.
Reprint: A new printing of a book. Can also be an edition in cheaper form than the original, e.g., paperback editions which follow hard cover editions.
Reprography: SEE Photoduplication.
Research Libraries Group: (R.L.G.) A consortium consisting of New York Public Research Library, Harvard, Yale and Columbia University Libraries. Areas of cooperation: coordinated acquisitions of esoteric materials little used in any one library; cooperative cataloging using a common data base, and interlibrary loan.
Reserve desk: Special area particularly in Uris, Mann and Engineering Libraries where books are placed on reserve by the faculty for special courses. Such books have limited circulation, and are often used in the reading area provided.
Retrieval: The act of locating a document. Information retrieval: the act of manually or electronically locating information. Finding a wanted book in the stacks is information retrieval as is a computer printout of abstracts on any given subject.
R.G. or R.G.P.L.: Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature. The H. W. Wilson Co.'s best known periodical index. Indexes "magazines" of long standing popularity. SEE Periodical index.
Ridley's: Ridley's Book Bindery, Inc.; the local binder used by Cornell University Libraries.
R.L.G.: SEE Research Libraries Group.
Rotary file: Check record on rotating drum used for current serials in Mann Library.
S.C.I.: SEE Science Citation Index.
Science Citation Index: held at Physical Science Library, and Social Sciences Citation Index, held at Olin Library. Each publication covers approximately 2600 journals for the following:
1. Completely indexes articles by author/title, and cites subsequent references to the original article.
2. Indexes by source - i.e. the journal. 3. Indexes by subject using a permuted term index. 4. Indexes by corporate address of the author.
S.C.R.: Cornell University Libraries. Serials Currently Received. (q.v.)
S.C.R.L.C.: SEE South Central Research Library Council.
"See" references: See in addition to ...
Serial: A publication issued in successive parts bearing numerical or chronological designations. Intended to be continued indefinitely. Included are periodicals, newspapers, annuals, proceedings, transactions, etc.
Serials catalog: The alphabetic card catalog for serials in Olin Library which shows all serial titles held by Cornell University Libraries, except I.L.R. In addition, holdings for all the Endowed Units except the Law School Library are shown in this catalog - a union catalog of serials for CUL.
Serials Currently Received: (S.C.R.) The latest edition was published in 1974 by Cornell University Libraries. It attempted to bring together in one alphabet a list of serials currently received by each library on the Cornell Campus. A supplement was issued which covers the period April 1974 - October 1976. Additional supplements are planned.
Series: Separate publications on a specific subject having a collective title, in addition to the individual title. Series have a uniform format and are usually issued by the same publisher, and may or may not be numbered. Analyzed series means that each part of the series is cataloged separately, but may be classified together, so that the series is shelved together. The catalog record of such a series would be the shelf list. Also, an analyzed series may be classified separately, which means that each part would be shelved in its own subject area. There would then be a series unit card in the catalog for each part of the series.
Shelf list: Catalog cards arranged by classification number - as books are arranged on the shelves.
Shipping Room: Located in the rear of Uris Library, it serves as the shipping and receiving point for all endowed libraries. Library mail is sorted here and sent to all libraries via Library Messenger Service.
Signature: (book binding) A printed folded sheet forming part of a volume. The signatures collected in order, are then placed together and sewed before the book is completely bound.
Social science Citation Index: SEE Science Citation Index.
Software: The programs written by the user or computer manufacturer that control the operation of the computer.
South Central Research Library Council: (S.C.R.L.C.) One of nine regional offices in a State-sponsored network. Covers 14 counties extending east to Delaware County; west to Allegheny County; north to Lake Ontario (Cayuga County?; and south along the New York-Pennsylvania border. S.C.R.L.C. fosters cooperation between all types of libraries in such activities as interlibrary loan, reference, gifts and exchange, shared terminals, continuing education, etc. Office is located in the Dewitt Meals in Ithaca.
Spine: The covering on the bound edge of a volume.
S.S.C.I.: Social Science Citation Index, SEE under Science Citation Index.
Stacks: The space equipped with shelving for the storage of books on one or more floors. (Also called "stack levels".) See also Press and Range. Open stacks: public allowed free access. Closed stacks: Access to stacks limited to certain individuals or group of individuals.
Staff Advisory Group: Members of the executive staff, department heads, college and department librarians who meet regularly to discuss matters of concern to all libraries.
Standing Order: An order placed to receive all parts of a work as published such as multi-volume works, series, serials, etc. until a publisher or dealer is otherwise notified. Also called a continuation.
Standing Order Monographic Series List: SEE Master Series List.
State Campus: SEE Statutory Units.
Status List: A computer-generated list on microfiche of monographs processed through Olin Library. Serials and standing orders are not included. The list gives basic bibliographic and processing information for each entry and is updated weekly.
Statutory Units: Academic units at Cornell University funded by the University of the State of New York. Also called "Upper campus". Includes the College of Agriculture and Life Sciences (served by the Mann Library), the School of Industrial and Labor Relations (served by the Catherwood "I.L.R." Library), College of Human Ecology (served by the Mann Library), and the College of Veterinary Medicine (served by the Flower "Vet" Library).
Steering Committee: Elected by the Academic Assembly to act as a committee on committees and set agenda for the Academic Assembly meetings, in consultation with the Director.
Subject cards: SEE under Entry.
Subject Referral Libraries: Nine research libraries in New York State which have contracts with the State to back up NYSILL (q.v.) by supplying interlibrary loan materials in specific subject areas. Requests which cannot be filled at the State Library are referred to the most appropriate Subject Referral Library. Cornell University Libraries is a Subject Referral Library for 27 subjects and areas of study. Other Subject Referral Libraries are: New York Public, New York Academy of Medicines Columbia University, New York University, the American Museum of Natural History, Union Theological Seminary, Columbia Teachers College, and the Engineering Societies Libraries.
SUNY: State University of New York. Statewide system of publicly supported colleges and universities. The Cornell Statutory Units are tied to SUNY.
Support Staff Advisory Committee: A group of support staff appointed by the Director to meet for purposes of improving communication.
Support(ing) staff: Library staff other than academic or administrative staff.
Surrogate: A substitute: A surrogate or substitute for a document could be an abstract of its contents. Also photocopied information needed for cataloging rather than the original document.
T.A.: Teaching assistant.
Technical services: The non-public library services which include the acquisition, cataloging, record keeping and physical preparation of material which take place before a volume (or other item)) is ready to circulate.
3 R's: SEE Reference and Research Library Resources Councils.
Terminal: In general, the equipment on one end of a circuit which can send and receive messages.
Title: A unique bibliographic unit which can refer to a monograph of one or more volumes, or a serial.
Title II: Provision of the Higher Education Act of 1965 which allotted funds for the distribution of one copy of each catalog card produced at the Library of Congress. These are received at the Olin Acquisitions Department. Approximately half of the book orders generated through Olin Library are based on these cards which are called "Title II orders" or "slips". In most cases, these orders are identified by a U preceding the order number on the Status List.
Tracing: Information on the bottom of main entry and shelf list cards giving other headings under which the work may be found in the catalog. Arabic numerals indicate SUBJECT HEADINGS, while roman numerals indicate ADDED ENTRIES such as joint authors, editors, title, alternative titles and series. See also Entry. (See examples in Appendix.)
Transliteration: The representation of characters or words of one language by corresponding characters of words of another language. At Cornell, it is sometimes the custom to ROMANIZE words in other alphabets, particularly of filing titles. Tables of romanization are found in the Cataloging Manual.
T.W.X.: Literally, Teletypewriter Exchange Service. Also used to refer to the teletype located in Interlibrary Services.
U.L.S.: SEE Union List of Serials.
Uncataloged: Any item for which there is no cataloging record or cards made.
U.N.E.P.: SEE United Nations Environment Program.
Uniform Fine Policy: Fine policy applicable at all Cornell University Libraries. Initially adopted in 1971, the most recent policy revision was made in August 1976. Copies of the policy are available at any C.U.L. circulation or loan desk.
Uniform title: Uniform titles, when used with an individual author or composer, appear in brackets on the line following the main entry. 1. Literature: Usually the original title of a work in the original language. The title is further divided by parts and language of the text, if different from the original language. 2. Music: Usually the original title of a work or a standard form formulated for works with generic titles such as symphonies, concertos, sonatas, etc. Further divided by score. The object of the uniform title is to be able to file all forms of the work together in the catalog in spite of its various titles, translations and forms. Uniform titles are used for prolific classical authors, composers and anonymous works. Also called conventional title and filing title. (See example in Appendix.)
Union catalog: A catalog showing the holdings of a given group of libraries. e.g. Olin Library catalog shows holdings of all Cornell Campus libraries. The National Union Catalog (q.v.) shows holdings from hundreds of libraries nationwide. The O.C.L.C. data base qualifies as a union catalog since it indicates libraries which hold any given title.
Union List of Serials: (U.L.S.) The Union List of Serials in Libraries in the United States and Canada. A list of serials with basic information and a list of libraries which have reported as holding any given serial title. Updated by New Serial Titles. (N.S.T.)
Unit card: A catalog card. Copies of the unit card are made with various headings to give access in several locations in the catalog. (e.g. series unit card, title unit card, etc. (See examples in Appendix.)
United Nations Environment Program: Headquartered in Nairobi, Kenya. Mann Library is a depository library for their documents. The U.N.E.P./I.R.S. (International Referral System) is being developed to "facilitate the international transfer of environmental information services." The Engineering Library and NEWRIT will be included in this directory.
University of the State of New York: Previously known as the New York State Education Department. SUNY (State University of New York) is administratively part of the University of the State of New York.
Upper campus: SEE Statutory Units.
Uris Library: The Undergraduate Library which, with the McGraw Bell Tower, constitutes a Cornell University "trademark". In general, the Undergraduate Library was intended to serve underclassmen. The collections are general but with subject strengths in the social sciences and humanities.
U.S.B.E.: Universal Serials and Book Exchange, Inc. (formerly the United States Book Exchange) Clearinghouse of publications-accepting, holding and distributing publications from various libraries.
Verification: Establishment of a bibliographic citation in a standard source of reference.
Verso: The left hand page of a book, or the back of a single sheet. The back of a title page. (See also Recto).
Vet. Library: (Flower Veterinary Library) Located in Schurman Hall, it has extensive collections in veterinary and human medicine and related topics such as physical biology, bacteriology, biochemistry and zoology. A statutory library.
Video Center: Presently located in the Uris Library. It provides facilities for showing video tapes, films, etc.
Wason: Extensive interdisciplinary collection of materials on East and Southeast Asia covering many subjects. Located on the first floor of Olin Library, with additional stacks on the lower level. A catalog of the Southeast Asia holdings was recently published by G. K. Hall.
Xerography: Electrostatic printing process which uses dry resin powder and heat for fusing images on paper. Other types of electrostatic printing such as Olivetti and 3-M use toners in solution to create images on special coated paper.