ARTICLE - a published work that is often found within a periodical, journal or newspaper.

BIBLIOGRAPHY - The list of works cited by an author at the end of an article, paper, book, or other research-based writing. There are also specialized subject bibliographies published separately as books.

CALL NUMBER - The letters and numbers assigned to a book to give it a unique location in the library.
Example: HF 5567 .C45 1992 (LC classification)
Example: 025.5677 .D47 1998 (Dewey classification - Wentworth uses this one!)

CATALOG (see also: Online catalog) - A systematic list of a library's holdings.

CD-ROM - Compact Disc Read Only Memory - A digitally mastered disc that holds information, usually a database.

CIRCULATING - This means that the item may be checked out. Some Reserve items circulate only within the library.

CITATION - The information given in an index or catalog about a particular title. The citation may include the article title, periodical title, book title, place of publication, publisher, volume, pages, and date. Refer to a style manual to learn how to format citations for your own bibliographies.

CLIPPING FILE - File cabinets holding pamplets, brochures, clippings, etc. on a wide variety of topics. Because of their size and format, they cannot be shelved with the books. Wentworth's clipping file is located at the reference desk and a librarian will help you access the information you need. Some libraries call this system a Pamphlet File.

DATABASE - A collection of information, usually electronic. Example: Applied Science and Technology

DEWEY DECIMAL CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM - The system of numbers and letters used by Wentworth as well as many public and some academic libraries to assign a call number to materials.

DICTIONARY - A book that gives definitions of words. Dictionaries may be general (Webster's New Collegiate Dictionary), or specialized (Road & track illustrated automotive dictionary).

ELECTRONIC - In libraries, this usually describes a database that can be accessed with a computer.
CD-ROM and online databases are both electronic.

ENCYCLOPEDIA - A compendium of information. Like dictionaries, these can be general (Encyclopedia Britannica) or specialized (Encyclopedia of Encylopedia of American Industries).

FLO - Fenway Libraries Online - A consortium of academic and special interest libraries, which includes Wentworth, in the Boston/Cambridge area.

INDEX - Located articles in periodicals by subject or author. Examples: Architectural Index, Expanded Academic Index.

JOURNAL - A periodical that is scholarly or academic in content and purpose. Examples: Journal of Architectural Education or American Anthropologist. Compare with magazine.

LIBRARY OF CONGRESS CLASSIFICATION SYSTEM (LC) - The system of letters and numbers used by most academic libraries to assign a call number to materials.

MAGAZINE - A general-interest periodical that has a broad, wide audience, Example: Time or Glamour. Compare with journal.

MICROFORM - Refers to microfiche (rectangular sheet) and microfilm (roll) formats whereby print text is transferred onto film for preservation. Usually, older issues of periodicals are transferred to microform.

NEWSPAPERS - a publication that is printed and distributed usually daily or weekly and that contains news, articles of opinion, features, and advertising. May also be found in electronic format.

ONLINE - Refers to accessing a remote computer via a terminal. Our online catalog is one example of an online database.

ONLINE CATALOG - The database that lists the books available in a given library or library district. This is the electronic equivalent of a card catalog.

OPAC - Online Public Access Catalog - Often called simply online catalog

PERIODICAL - A generic term for anything published periodically, including magazines, journals, and newspapers.

PRINT - Ink on paper; not electronic. A book is a print resource. Art Index in book form is a print index.

REFERENCE - The process of answering the questions of library patrons about research or finding information; the section of the library in which this takes place.

REFERENCE BOOK - A book that contains facts, statistics, biographical information, or other such as to make it a valuable tool for answering reference questions. These books may not be taken out of the library, as a rule, and are shelved separately from the rest of the collection.

REFERENCE LIBRARIAN - A person who has studied the field of library science at the graduate level. A librarian is skilled in using print and electronic resources and is the person to ask for research assistance in the library.

RESEARCH - Diligent and thorough inquiry and investigation into a subject. This includes using ALL appropriate print and electronic sources, asking the reference librarians for help, and making use of bibliographies given by other authors.

RESERVE - Where materials are placed to be used by all students in a class. Wentworth's reserve section is located at the Circulation Desk.

STYLE MANUAL - A book that tells the reader how to format a paper, with regard to footnotes, bibliographies, pagination, etc. Ask your instructor which style manual you are to use. The most commonly used style manuals are the following:

A Manual for Writers of Term Papers, Thesis, and Dissertations (Also called Turabian)

MLA Handbook for Writers of Research Papers

Publication Manual of the American Psychological Association (Also called APA)

Adapted from Gradowski, Gail (ed.) et al. Designs for Active Learning: A Sourcebook of Classroom Strategies for Information Education. Chicago: Association of College & Research Libraries, 1998.