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Abstract - a brief summary of an article or book. An abstract also includes a bibliographic citation of the publication.

Bibliographic citation - the information that identifies a book or journal article. Bibliographic citations include details such as author or editor, title, place of publication, year of publication.

Bibliography - 1. a list of references used as information sources in a research paper; 2. a list of resources having something in common, such as an author or subject. Bibliographies include brief citations of each item.

Boolean search - a search that combines two or more terms using the three operators AND, OR, or NOT to narrow or broaden a keyword search. An example Boolean search in the WebVoyage library catalog:

A search in which two keywords are combined with 'AND' will retrieve only documents containing those words. (Management AND psychology) in the Title field results in one book title - Psychology of self-management

Combining the same terms with 'OR' will result in documents containing one or the other search term, or both combined. (Management OR psychology) in the Title field results in 100+ book titles, including Basic small business management and Biographical dictionary of psychology

Browser - see Web Browser

Call number - a unique identifying number assigned to each item in the library. The call number is assigned according to the subject matter of the item, and determines where the materials are shelved. OSU-Okmulgee Library uses the Dewey Decimal call number system.

Catalog - the list of items held by a library. The OSU-Okmulgee library catalog is in electronic format and can be accessed online from the library webpage. See also OPAC.

Circulation desk - the location in the library where materials are checked out and returned. ILL requests, faxes, laminating and other library services are also offered at the circulation desk in the LRC.

Database - see Electronic database.

Dictionary - a reference book containing an alphabetical list of words, with information given for each word, usually including meaning, pronunciation, and origin. Dictionaries can be general (the American Heritage Dictionary), for translation purposes (English to Spanish), or specialized (a legal dictionary).

Electronic database - an organized collection of electronic records that can easily be searched using specific software. OSU-Okmulgee offers access to electronic periodical databases such as First Search, Infotrac and ProQuest Direct.

Encyclopedia - a reference source consisting of factual articles written on a wide variety of subjects, persons, places and events. Encyclopedias can be general in scope (Encyclopedia Britannica) or subject-oriented (The Encyclopedia of Philosophy).

ILL (InterLibrary Loan) - the process of borrowing a book or article not held by OSU-Okmulgee. Forms for requesting an item through inter-library loan can be found at the Circulation Desk. An online version of this form can also be found on the library webpage.

Journal - a periodical which presents articles on a particular subject. Scholarly and trade journals are typically published by a college, institution or association.

Keyword search - a search in an electronic database that looks for specified words to retrieve books or articles on a specific topic. Keywords could be used to search from the text of the document or another particular field, such as author, title, etc. Keyword searches frequently utilize Boolean search strategies.

OPAC - Online Public Access Catalog. See also Catalog.

Peer Reviewed Journal - a periodical publication containing articles that have met established criteria and have been reviewed by a panel of specialists in a particular field of study.

Periodical - a publication that is issued under the same title at regular intervals.

Reference - the Reference section in the OSU-Okmulgee library consists of resources that allow quick retrieval of factual information. Standard reference items include encyclopedias, dictionaries, almanacs and directories.

Reserve - items that have been pulled from the main collection to be used by students in a particular course or of a specific professor. Reserve items can be requested at the Circulation Desk.

Search engine - a software program that searches the Internet and gathers information based on some criteria.

Serial - a publication that is issued in successive parts. Examples include journals, newspapers, periodicals, annual reports, almanacs, etc. See also Periodical, Journal.

Thesaurus - 1. a collection of synonyms, frequently including related terms and antonyms, 2. a collection of selected words relating to the specialized vocabulary of a particular field of study, database or catalog.

Trade journal - a publication covering, and intended to reach a specific industry, type of business, or program of study.

Web browser - software that allows computer users to access and navigate the contents of the Internet. Users who access the Internet primarily use Netscape (Communicator, Navigator) or Internet Explorer to get online.