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Faculty Guide to Library Resources: Library-related terms

Information for NSCC full-time and part-time faculty

FREQUENTLY USED LIBRARY TERMS

Call number

A number printed on a "spine label" of a book that helps to locate it on the shelf

Catalog

An online listing of the library's holdings

Checkout

The process required to borrow an item from the library

Circulation Desk

The area in the library where people can check out items, ask questions, and receive assistance

Classification (Dewey Decimal)

A method of organizing items in an orderly manner so they can be easily located

Course Reserves

Items that instructors want to make available to groups of students in a specific course (can be physical or electronic)

Fines

Two kinds of fines exist: late and replacement.  There is a grace period for returning items, and late charges for students are very minimal.  Replacement charges are incurred when an item is damaged beyond repair or never returned. 

Hold

If an item is currently checked out, a hold can be placed so that a user can check out the item once it is returned. 

Holdings

This is a term that refers to the things that the library owns, and can include all types of formats. 

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

If we don't have local holdings and cannot find an item through OhioLINK, we can try another method to obtain the item.  This is called Interlibrary Loan.

ISBN/ISSN

International Standard Book Number and International Standard Serial Numbers help to verify the exact title of an item

Journal

A format that can be in print or online, and includes many articles gathered together on one topic

McDougle Room

A meeting room located inside the library that also contains a small historical collection

Open Stacks

The term for the shelves that hold all of the book in the library collection

Record

 Each item/title that the library holds or interacts with has a record.  Some items/titles have multiple records.  In addition, each "patron" (student/faculty/staff/community member) also has a record in the library system.

Reference

This can mean two things: 1) the Reference section in the library that contains comprehensive volumes and 2) the act of answering student questions pertaining to research and information

Renewal

If an item is checked out, as long as there is not a hold on the item, it can have a renewal.  This means that a new due date will be generated and the patron can keep it longer. 

Streaming

The library provides access to several streaming services for academic content.  The two main resources are 1) Films on Demand subscription and 2) OhioLINK Music Center

Study Room

The library has three study rooms that can each accommodate up to four people, and all contain DVD players and whiteboards.  The study rooms are available on a first-come, first-serve basis during open hours.  

User/Patron

The term used to describe a person who uses the library, either in person or remotely