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Abstract: a brief summary at the beginning of an article or text
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Accession Number: a unique identifier for each record in a database
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Annotation / Annotated Bibliography: a bibliography that lists your sources as well as a brief statement about why the source is necessary
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AOK OneSearch: the general name for the set of basic searches on the library homepage
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Boolean Operators: "and," "or," "not" - terms used to combine search words in most databases and catalogs
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Citation: standard publication information that can follow different styles (e.g., APA, MLA, Chicago)
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Database [in libraries]: a large collection of citations and sources that are organized for rapid search and retrieval; some are general whereas others have only specific disciplines (e.g., Academic Search Complete vs. PsycInfo)
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Finding Aid: descriptive guide for archival collections that includes information about the creator of the materials, formats included, dates covered, and how the materials are arranged
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Methods: standard procedures and processes for conducting verifiable research. Methods are discipline dependent: methods in chemistry research are different from methods in physics or psychology research.
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Results: Information created or gathered from a research program or systematic inquiry. Successful scientists will publish the results of an experiment, social scientists will publish the results of a poll.
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Subject Headings: standardized terms that describe library materials and aid in searching (also called index terms or descriptors)
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Subject Librarian: a specialist that provides research assistance for their discipline(s); available for individual sessions or online chat
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Call number: a unique set of letters and/or numbers that organize library materials on the shelf; we use a system called Library of Congress (or LC)
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Campus ID: 1) a physical card that allows you to check out library materials and pay for printing (a.k.a. Retriever Card); 2) the unique set of letters and numbers that is tied to your UMBC account (e.g., AA11122)
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Circulation Desk: the 1st floor desk where you can check out books, laptops, and other materials; open at all hours that the library is open
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Digital Media Lab: a creation space on the 2nd floor that features a sound isolation booth, recording room with green screen, and A/V equipment loans/software
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Hold: a request placed on an item that is currently checked out or from another USMAI campus; you receive an email once the item has arrived at UMBC
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Interlibrary Loan / ILLiad: the system for accessing articles not available at UMBC and books not available through the USMAI
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ISBN: a unique identifier for books that make it easy to find in a catalog or online; acronym for International Standard Book Number
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ISSN: a unique identifier for a serial publication; acronym for International Standard Serial Number
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Media Collection: the selection of DVDs and CDs on the 2nd floor that loan for seven days; VHS and LP materials are a closed collection and can be accessed by emailing the Media department
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Recall: a request for a patron to return a checked-out item to the library within two weeks
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Renewal: an action that extends the due date for material already checked out, usually for the same period of time originally granted (some materials have limits)
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Serials: materials published on a regular basis (daily, weekly, monthly, quarterly, etc.) with no set end date; common types include magazines, newspapers, journals, proceedings and are sometimes called periodicals
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Special Collections: a department that houses original, rare, unique, fragile, and archival materials such as photographs and manuscripts
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Stacks: the collection of books located on floors 3-7 (includes folio/oversize books)
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University Archives: materials documenting the history of the UMBC campus, faculty, staff, students, and campus life; located in Special Collections
