Library Definitions

Short summary of the content of a book or journal article. Commonly found in many databases and some periodicals index.

Office responsible for the ordering and receipt of library materials other than serials and standing orders. Part of Library Resource and Metadata Services Department.

Houses the music and dance collections at the University of Hartford and supports the Hartt School and all music, dance and theatre programs. Located on the lower level of the Harrison Libraries building.

See Abstracts.

A publication released on a regular, once a year schedule.

The Archives and Special Collections are open to University faculty, staff, students and members of the general public by appointment. While some material remains confidential, most collections are accessible. Patrons are asked to observe archival procedures to help protect the collections. Photocopying of material is permitted if the material is in good condition. Archival material is non-circulating. Archives and Special Collections is located on the lower level of Mortensen Library in Room 103.

Computer readable code, inserted in all library books and found on some borrowers' cards, used to speed circulation.

List of research sources used in composing a document. Also, a collection (usually annotated) of sources related to a topic. Do not confuse with biography.

Commercial (off campus) site which repairs books and creates hardcover bindings for loose periodical issues, softcover music scores, and other materials. Items at the bindery are unavailable for use, but typically return within one to two months.

Book or article about the life of a person. Do not confuse with bibliography.

Back issues of periodicals which have been sent to the bindery. Located in Harrison Libraries, shelved on the lower level in call number order.

Unique letter and number combination to group materials by subject, and to identify the precise location of a book or other item on the shelf. Mortensen and Allen Libraries use Library of Congress call numbers, as do most university libraries. Most public libraries use Dewey Decimal call numbers.

Allow multiple students to easily work together on projects. Located on the main level of Harrison Libraries. There are also group study rooms on the upper level of Mortensen Library for four-hour use. Formerly known as C-Pods.

Searchable records of all materials in the library, plus many online resources.

This office is responsible for the creation of the Libraries Catalog, including description, creation of the bibliographic record, and assignment of the call number. Part of Library Resource and Metadata Services Department.

Service desk that provides most borrowing-related services: checking out and returning materials (including course reserves and equipment), picking up holds and interlibrary loan materials, paying fines, and more. The Mortensen circulation desk is on the main level of the building, near the front entrance. The Allen desk is on the lower level, inside the Allen Library.

Information on how to create citations for use in research representing a myriad of different Citation Styles (including APA, MLA, Chicago/Turabian, AMA, etc.). The guides often include information on writing style, terminology, and more.

The materials owned by a library. Some collections in the library include DVD, VHS, Judaica, CD's, LP's, music, dance, curriculum lab, oversize and archives.

Also, a book consisting of articles, essays, etc. gathered from other sources and republished.

Movable shelves designed to save space. Public compact shelving can be found in the Allen Stacks and Bound Periodicals on the lower level. Storage, Rare Books, and Archives also have compact shelving.

The most recent issues of periodicals. Usually, but not always, the current year. In Mortensen, shelved on the main level near Woods Classroom in alphabetical order by title. In Allen, shelved near the entrance in alphabetical order by title.

A database is an organized collection of information. In libraries, used specifically to refer to online indexes of information about journal articles, books, and other research materials.

Final research project completed by student in a doctoral program. Most are available in the stacks, but older ones may only be in the Archives. All University of Hartford dissertations published are searchable online and available in full text starting in 2000.

Full text electronic access to journal articles in the Libraries' collection.

Full text of a book available online.

Most classes now use Blackboard as the medium for providing access to this information.

Documents Collection of non-journal education materials indexed by the ERIC database and available (online) or on microfiche from 1986 to 2000. Located on the lower level of Harrison Libraries.

Faculty Center for Learning Development is the University center supporting the teaching environment by assisting faculty with the incorporation of technology and new teaching methods into their established curriculum. Housed on the main level of Harrison Libraries.

Online reproduction of the complete content of an article or book. Also, journals in which the majority of the articles have their content available online.

All libraries at the University of Hartford.

See Allen Library or Hartt Performance Library.

International Standard Book Number is a unique number, assigned by the publisher to a specific book title. Do not confuse with Call Number.

University department responsible for computer services, including staffing, maintenance and operation of Users Branches.

Obtains books, scores, articles, and more not owned by the Harrison Libraries. Connected to over 9,000 libraries worldwide. On average, digital article copies are received within four (4) days and hardcopy materials (books, scores, etc.) are received within ten (10). Occasional fees may be charged by the lending library. The ILS office is located on the lower level of Harrison Libraries.

Professional or research publication issued on a regular schedule, and containing articles. Also referred to as periodical or serial.

Classroom located on the main level of Harrison Libraries.

Library of Congress is the national library of the United States. Also refers to the call (number system) used by Harrison Libraries, and the subject headings used in the Libraries Catalog.

Searchable database with records of all the physical materials in the Harrison Libraries, plus many online resources.

More generally, the database of the holdings of any library. The starting point for most research projects.

Any micro-formatted reproduction.

Photographic reproduction of a document (usually a journal) on a flat piece of film. Filed in alphabetical order in Mortensen, lower level.

Photographic reproduction of a document (usually a journal) on rolled film. Referred to in the Periodicals List as Micro. Filed in alphabetical order on the lower level of Mortensen Library.

This library houses the general collections at the University of Hartford, serving most of the colleges, and including special Judaica, Leisure and Education collections. Located in Harrison Libraries in the Harry Jack Gray Center.

Provides audio and video support for teaching and learning at the University.

See Allen Library, above.

Regularly published collection of articles. Also referred to as magazines, journals, newspapers, etc. Also, the office responsible for maintaining the collection. Part of Library Resource and Metadata Services Department and located in Harrison Libraries' lower level.

Using parts of texts or entire ideas of other persons as your own work.

This department helps library users to find and use information resources. Allen Reference, for music and dance help, is at the main service desk on the lower level. Mortensen Reference, for help with other subjects, is at the Reference Desk or Office on the main level.

Renewing is the process which allows you to extend the loan period for a book. Some restrictions may apply. Renewals may be requested online, by phone, or at the Circulation desk.

Materials set aside by faculty to be readily available for students throughout the semester. Hardcopy reserves are kept at the Mortensen and Allen circulation desks. Some may also be available as Electronic Reserves on Blackboard.

This department is responsible for acquiring and making all libraries materials accessible. Includes Acquisitions, Cataloging, Interlibrary Services, and Periodicals.

Generic term for regularly or irregularly published recurring materials. Includes periodicals, annuals and semi-annuals. Also the department responsible for ordering and maintaining them. Part of Library Resource and Metadata Services Department.

Shelves in the libraries.

See Citation and Style Guides, above.

Online information sources, arranged in broad categories and created by library staff as starting points for library users. Guides include hardcopy and online books, databases, websites, and more.

Formally controlled terms to describe the subject of a book, article, or other item. Used to focus a search particularly when keyword searching is not successful. Ask a librarian for assistance.

Final research project completed by honors or masters level students. Most theses are available in the stacks, but older ones may only be in the Archives.

Database available for a short test period. Change frequently.

Classroom shared by Reference Services and the Faculty Center for Learning Development. Provides facilities for hands-on instruction in the use of library and other teaching and learning technologies, as well as FCLD offices. Located on Harrison Libraries' main level.