Abstract

1. A brief summary of a journal article, book, or other information source.
2. An index to journal articles that gives a brief summary of the article along with the citation.

Adobe Acrobat Reader
Software used to view image files. These files may contain full-text, pictures, charts, etc.


Bibliographic Record
An entry in the library catalog that describes an item and tells you where it is located.

Bibliography
A list of resources (books, journal articles, or other documents) about a specific subject. The list may fill a whole book or be at the end of a book or article.

Bookstacks
The shelves that hold books.

Borrow/Use Policies
Rules that tell you if you can take library material out of the building or not.

Bound Periodicals
Older issues of periodicals that have been sewn together between hard covers. This helps to preserve them and makes storing them easier.

Brief Display
See Browse List.

Browse List
A list the catalog displays if your search finds more than one entry. Results may be displayed in a brief display or in an extended display.


Call Number
The combination of letters and numbers assigned to library materials to designate where items are shelved. Call numbers enable material to be arranged by subject on the shelves.

Catalog
The list of items owned by a library.

Cataloging
The process of creating a record for each library item so it can be found.

CBB
Acronym for Colby, Bates, and Bowdoin Colleges.

Circulation
The library department that oversees the lending of materials.

Clear Saved List
Clears a list of records created for exporting.

Copy Number
A number assigned to items if more than one copy is acquired.

Course Reserves
See Reserves.

Current Periodicals
Recent issues of journals and magazines. These are shelved just to the left of the Library's main entrance.


Database
A collection of records that can be searched by computer.

Due Date
The date by which material should be returned to the library.


Electronic Book
A book that is accessed online.

Electronic Journal
A periodical that is accessed online.

Electronic Reference
A reference book that is accessed online.

Electronic Reserves
Reserve material that you can read online.

Export
To send bibliographic records out of the catalog electronically.

Export Saved List
Allows you to choose where to export records, and in what format to export them.

Extended Display
See Browse List.


Folio
An item that is too large to fit on either standard or oversized shelves.

Format
The physical form of a publication (e.g., print, microfiche, sound recroding, videorecording).

Full Text
Indicates that the entire text of an item is available electronically.


Governmnet Document
An item published by the government.


Hold
An indication that a particular patron is in line to get an item once it is returned to the library.


Interlibrary Loan (ILL)
The department that obtains library materials not available at Bates, from MaineCat, or from NExpress.

Innovative Interfaces, Inc.
The company that creates and maintains the software that runs the catalog.

Item is Overdue
Indicates the system was unable to process your request to renew material because fines have accrued. Please call Circulation (6263) or Audio (6273) and a staff member will assist you.


Journal
A publication that contains articles written for scholars by researchers or experts in a subject area.

Jump to an Entry
An option appearing at the bottom of a browse list that allows you to jump to a particular title or other entry instead of using the "Next Page" button to move through the list.


Latest Received
Shows which issues of a title have arrived at the library.

Library Record
Another name for a Patron Record.

Limit/Sort
The option to exclude all but one type of record from an initial search. You may limit by:

• Language
• Material type
• Bibliographic Level
• Words in Author, Title, Subject, or Publisher
• Where an Item is Located
• Year of Publication

You may also Sort results by year of publication.

Location
Identifies where an item is shelved and often its format.


Magazine
A periodical that consists of popular articles written for the general reader rather than for scholars in a particular field.

MaineCat
A catalog containing records from many public and academic libraries in Maine. Many MaineCat items can be borrowed.

Maine Union List of Serials
A catalog of serials owned by various libraries in Maine, including medical libraries.

MARC Display
A catalog record display that includes coded information and numeric field tags that allow catalog records to be transfered electronically.

Mark
To select records for exporting.

Microfiche
A 4X6 inch sheet of film that stores information in a reduced form.

Microfilm
A roll of film that stores information in a reduced form.

Microform
A generic term for microfilm and microfiche.

Monograph
A written work intended to be complete either in one volume (a book) or in a finite number of separate parts (such as an encyclopedia).


Network Resource
A document that can be read online.

NExpress
A catalog containing records from a number of academic libraries in New England. Many NExpress items can be borrowed; journal articles may also be requested from NExpress.


Online
Accessible by computer.

Overdue
An item that remains checked out to a user past the due date.

Oversize
An item that is too large to fit on standard shelves.


Patron Record
Keeps track of library materials that are currently checked out to an individual.

Periodical
A publication that comes out on a regular schedule (once a month, for example). Popular periodicals are called magazines and scholarly periodicals are called journals.


Reference
Books such as dictionaries, encylopedias, handbooks, and indexes that provide factual information or lead to other information resources. Reference books must be used in the library.

Renew
To extend the due date on material that is checked out.

Reserves
Library materials that professors require students to use while taking a particular course. Reserve items must be used in the library. See also Electronic Reserves.

Return to Browse
The option to go back to a Browse List.


Save Marked Records
Compiles a list of records for export.

"See" and "See also" References
Directions that guide users to headings used in the catalog. Also called Cross References.

Serial
A publications that is issued in successive parts with no predictable end in sight. Periodicals, magazines, journals, newspapers, and annual reviews are examples of serials.

Series
A common title assigned by a publisher to a group of monographs having the same subject or theme.

Status
Tells whether an item is available for use or not.

Streaming Audio
A recording that can be accessed online.

Subject
A term or phrase that describes the main content of a work.


Telnet
A way to access the text version of the catalog.