Library Glossary

You might come across some words you are unsure of during your time in the Library. We have compiled this A-Z to give further explanation of some of those "library" words and names that may be new to you.

Click on the menu below to be taken to the section you need. Terms within the definitions with also take you to other entries in the glossary.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z 

 

A

Abstract
A summary of a book, article or report

Abstract and Indexing Database
See Database

Archive
A collection of documents or records often of historical importance

Article
A written composition on a particular subject or theme, which is usually published in a magazine or journal

@Keele
Click the @Keele button to take you to the full text of an article or book if it is available. See also SFX.

 

B

Bibliographic Software
Manages, stores and formats your references. See also RefWorks and Referencing

Blackboard
An online environment where you can access module resources such as,  reading lists, module handbooks, lecture slides, assessment guidance and a variety of interactive learning including discussion forums and chat spaces. Also referred to as KLE or VLE. Log in using your Keele username and password. 

 

C

Campus Library
The library building at the main Keele site.

Catalogue
A fully searchable list of the contents of the Library. It can be accessed from the catalogue PCs in the Library, via the Library website or at:  http://opac.keele.ac.uk/

Check In
Another term for returning an item to the Library. You will see this option on the Self Service Machines.

Check Out
Another term for borrowing an item from the Library. You will see this option on the Self Service Machines

Citation Database
See Database

Classmark
The set of letters and numbers used to identify where an item can be found in the Library’s collection. You will see the classmark on the catalogue and also on the item.

Copac
A combined library catalogue which provides free access to the online catalogues of many major university research libraries in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Accessible from here. 

 

D

Database
Collection of organised searchable information held on a computer, which can be downloaded. Databases provide access to a variety of information, including articles, books, and images.

Digitised Item
An electronic copy of an article or chapter, requested by an academic member of staff for use as a course reading. Any digitised items created for your module(s) will be available on Blackboard.

Dissertation
A written essay, or report, especially one written by a candidate for a degree or diploma. See also Thesis

 

E

eJournals A-Z
A list of all the eJournals available from the Library. Can be accessed from on or off-campus

Electronic Book (eBook)
An online version of a printed book. Can be accessed via the Library catalogue.

Electronic Journal (eJournal)
An online version of a printed journal. Can be accessed via the eJournals A-Z

Embargo
You may see this displayed on the eJournals A-Z. This means there is a restriction on the access to an eJournal title. The most recent issues (often either 6 or 12 months) of an item may not be available to view.

Enquiries
See Info Point

 

F

Full Text
The whole or full article, journal or book when available online.

 

G

Group Study Room
There are 5 rooms available at the Campus Library which can be used by groups of students working together on a project. Rooms can be booked for a maximum of two hours in advance via the Info Point or Service Counter or on the day using the booking forms on the doors of the rooms.

 

H

Health Library
The library building situated at the University Hospital of North Staffordshire site in Stoke-on-Trent.

Hold
A request placed on an item which is currently out on loan. A hold is also referred to as a request or reservation.

Holdshelf
Used on the catalogue for items in the Reserved Items Collection Area.

 

I

Individual Study Room
See Study Carrel

Info Point
The information desk at the Campus Library where you can ask the staff for help using the library and its facilities. This is known as Enquiries at the Health Library

Institutional Log-in
See Shibboleth

Inter Library Loans
Service that allows library users to obtain items from other libraries when Keele does not stock a copy.  There is a charge for this service.

In Transit
Used on the catalogue for items which are currently travelling between the libraries.

ISBN
Stands for International Standard Book Number. This is the unique identifying number on books, which has been in use since 1969.

ISSN
Stands for International Standard Serial Number. The unique 8 digit number used to identify a specific journal title.

Issue
A specific month or part of a journal

 

J

Journal
An information source on a specific topic, either available in print and/or electronic format (eJournal), published at regular intervals (often weekly, or monthly). Each issue (or part) contains a collection of articles. Issues of journals are normally collected together into a volume

 

K

Keele Card
This is your ID and Library card. You need your Keele card in order to borrow items from the library. Using the self-service points across the campus (one is available in the library), you can put money onto your card. Your Keele Card can then be used for printing and photocopying within the library, as well as paying fines.

Keele Username and Password
Your username and password is given to you when you join Keele. You will need this in order to access the computers, your email, Blackboard, and Library facilities such as databases, eBooks and eJournals

Keywords
Single terms or short phrases that define the main point of a topic. You can use keywords to search the catalogue or databases

Keele Learning Environment (KLE)
See Blackboard

 

L

Law Library
The Law Library is situated on the ground floor of the Campus Library. Here you can access a range of law journals, professional resources, case reports, statutes, textbooks and research monographs. This is a silent study area.

Liaison Librarian
Member of staff in the library with responsibility for communication between the library and your subject area. They also train users to assist them in making the best use of library resources.

Loan Type
Indicates how long you can borrow an item for. Standard Loan items can be borrowed for two weeks, 7 day loan items, for a week. Some items are reference only and can not be borrowed. Items in Short Loan can be borrowed overnight.

Local Collection
A collection of books, pamphlets, newspapers and journals devoted to the history of Staffordshire, but also covering Cheshire, Derbyshire and Shropshire. This collection can be found on the top floor of the Campus Library. See also Special Collections & Archives.

Location
Used on the Library catalogue to show which section of the Library an item can be found in.

 

M

Map Library
A collection of maps, atlases and street plans in both print and electronic format.  It contains Ordnance Survey maps of North Staffordshire and South Cheshire and can be found on the top floor of the Campus Library. Most material in this collection is reference only.

Microfilm/fiche
Film bearing a miniature photographic copy of printed or other graphic material, usually of a document, newspaper or book pages. The majority of these can be found, along with the microfilm reader, in the Law Library. Some of the microfilm is housed in the store. All of this material is for reference only.

Missing
Used on the catalogue to show that the item cannot currently be found in the library.

Music Library
The Music Library can be found on the top floor of the Campus Library. It contains a large number of books and musical scores and also has an area for silent study.

My Library
A section on the Library catalogue where you can view which items you have out on loan, your loan history, renew items and check your fines.

 

N

NHS Athens
NHS Athens is a secure login that gives you access to professional academic resources. It is available for healthcare students, and employees of the NHS.

Not For Loan
See Reference

 

O

Off-Campus
When you are not in a Keele University building, you are off-campus. Logging in to databases usually differs when not on campus.

Off Print
A reprint of an article that originally appeared as part of a larger publication. These are located in the store.

Online Reading Lists
A system available through the library, which allows you to access the reading list for your module(s). It gives direct links to the library catalogue and eBooks and eJournals where available.

OPAC
Stands for Online Public Access Catalog. See Catalogue

Overdue
An item currently out on loan that should have been returned to the Library.

Oversize
Larger books that are shelved separately, near to the relevant classmark

 

P

Pamphlet
A publication of generally less than 80 pages, and often a report.  These are shelved separately at the end of the HM-NX area on the top floor of the Campus Library.

Periodical
See Journal

 

Q

Quick Reference
A collection of books such as directories, encyclopaedias and handbooks for answering factual questions. This is located on the middle floor of the Campus Library.

 

R

Reference
1. Items that cannot be borrowed from the Library. They are marked as Reference or Not For Loan on the catalogue. All journals and theses are reference only.
2. A reference is also a description of a source, such as a book or journal article. See also Referencing

Referencing
Acknowledgement of the sources used in your work.

Refreshment Area
A room on the ground floor of the Campus Library containing vending machines and seating, where you can go to relax, eat and drink.

RefWorks
Web based bibliographic software which helps you to store and manage your references.

Renew
To extend the loan period of item which you have borrowed. You can renew your items online, using the My Library section of the catalogue, or by phone. If someone has placed a hold on an item, you will not be able to renew it and it will need to be returned to the library.

Request
You can request an item that is held at the other Library site (Campus or Health Library) by asking at the Service Counter. Also see Hold.

Res. Stock
A collection of rare, unique and valuable items, some of which can be borrowed and others that are reference only. These items are housed in the store.

Reservation
See Hold

Reserved Items Collection Area
The section of the Library where you can pick up any items that you requested. You will be emailed to notify you when these are ready for collect. There is a self-service machine in this area.

Return
Bringing back an item to the library which you have borrowed.

 

S

SCONUL
Stands for The Society of College, National and University Libraries. If you are a member of the scheme, you can use other higher education libraries in the UK and Ireland. Depending on your access level, you may be able to borrow items from these libraries, or be eligible for reference only access. Find out more here.

Self Service Machines
These machines can be used to borrow and return library items, and pay fines. The machines are available on the middle floor of the Campus Library, and are also available at the Health Library.

Service Counter
The counter at the Campus Library where you can pay fines, request items from the Health Library, purchase stationery items and ask queries about your Library account.

SFX
A link resolver that generates a menu of links to electronic and print items provided by the library. See also @Keele

Shelfmark
See Classmark

Shibboleth
Shibboleth is an 'access route'. Many eBooks, eJournals and databases use this for both on and off-campus access to resources. To login, you need your Keele username and password. Also referred to as Institutional Log-in and UK Federation Log-in

Short Loan
1. A collection of books in high demand; also includes Xeroxes. Located on the middle floor of the Campus Library.
2. The loan type for items within the Short Loan collection. These items can be borrowed overnight.

Silent Study Area
Area of the Library where conversation is not permitted. This covers the entire top floor and all of the ground floor (excluding Refreshment Area) of the Campus Library, and the Silent Study Room at the Health Library.

Special Collections & Archives
The Special Collections and Archives are located on the top floor of the Campus Library. The Local Collection contains material relating to the social and industrial history of the local area. There are also collections dating back as far as the eleventh century which can be accessed  by prior arrangement.

Store
An area of the library where lesser used library materials are stored, including older journals and theses. If you wish to consult an item listed as in store, you can request it from the Info Point. Some items in the store are for reference only and cannot be borrowed.

Study Carrel
Study rooms for single person use at the Campus Library. These can be booked for the day (deposit required) from the Service Counter or Info Point. Semester use carrels are also available to research and taught postgraduates.

  

T

Talis Aspire
See Online Reading Lists

Thesis
An extended piece of original academic work, usually written as a requirement for an academic degree, usually a PhD. Theses are housed in the store, and can be accessed for reference use by asking at the Info Point

 

U

UK Federation Log-in
See Shibboleth

 

V

Virtual Learning Environment (VLE)
See Blackboard

Volume
A set of issues or parts of a journal, usually covering one year.

 

W

Wireless Network
The wireless network is available at the Campus Library, enabling access to the Internet and your personal files through your laptop and smart phone.

 

X

Xerox
Photocopy of high demand article or book chapter. These can be found at the rear of Short Loan.

 

Y

 

Z