Library and Information Science Glossary Starting with A | |
| academic library | A library serving the information needs of students and staff of a university or similar institution |
| academic-special library | An academic library specializing in a limited subject area—e.g., the medical library of a university’s medical faculty |
| acceptable use policy | Guidelines to control how library computers maybe used, especially to access the Internet—e.g., some libraries do not allow users to play games to be played, or send and receive email |
| acceptance test | A final demonstration of new software or hardware that illustrates its capabilities and special features |
| access | s To obtain information from an information agency or database |
| access code | Also authorization code. Username and/or password that is typed by a user to gain access to a computer system, network, or database (e.g., student access to a university computer network) |
| accession | To record the particulars of each item as it is received in a library |
| accessioning | The process of acquiring and recording receipt of library materials |
| accession number | The unique number is given to an item when recording its addition to the library |
| accession record | 1. A record with details of the ordering and receipt of an item in a library. 2. A list of all the items added to a collection in the order in which they are added |
| accessions | Additions to the library stock |
| accessions list | A list showing additions to a library’s collection |
| access point | Any part of a catalog or database record, or entry in a bibliography, that is used to find the item |
| acid free paper | Also durable paper, permanent paper. Paper that is pH neutral, and will last longer than paper with acid content |
| acidity | Presence of acid in printed material or containers, that causes the material to become brittle and eventually disintegrate |
| acid paper | Paper with sufficient acid content to cause the paper to turn yellow and brittle over time |
| acknowledgments, acknowledgments | That part of a book where the author recognizes the contributions others have made to the work |
| acquisition number | The unique number that identifies an item in an acquisition record or file |
| acquisition services | The section of a library concerned with ordering and receiving material. Usually part of technical services |
| Acquisitions Section | AS. A section of the Association for Library Collections & Technical Services concerned with the acquisition of information resources in all types of institutions |
| ACRL
| Association of College and Research Libraries |
Library and Information Science Glossary Starting with A | |
| Action for Development through Libraries Programme ALP | AnIFLA program to further the library profession, library institutions, and library and information services in developing countries |
| adapter | A person who rewrites another person’s work |
| addendum | Matter included in a book after the type has been set |
| Adelaide del Frate Conference Sponsorship | An award to a library school student to attend an ALA Annual Conference |
| adjustable shelving | A shelving system in which each shelf can be detached and moved up or down to house materials of different heights. Cf fixed shelving |
| Advancement of Literacy Award | An annual ALA award to a publisher, bookseller, software dealer, or foundation for a significant contribution to adult literacy |
| AECT | Association for Educational Communications and Technology |
| aggregator | A supplier of electronic journals and/or databases, enabling users to subscribe to a set of titles that are then usually accessed through the supplier’s website |
| AILA | American Indian Library Association |
| AIP | Association of Internet Professionals |
| Alex Awards | Annual awards for books published for adults with potential appeal to teens |
| algorithm | A mathematical or logical procedure for solving a problem, especially in a computer program |
| ALIA | Australian Library and Information Association |
| alias | A short form of an email address |
| ALISE | Association for Library and Information Science Education |
| aperture card | A card with one or more pieces of microfilm inserted in it |
| ALMS | automated library management system |
| almanac | 1. An annual calendar with astronomical information and other data. 2. A miscellany of useful facts and statistical information |
| ALSC | Association for Library Service to Children |
| AMICUS | S 1. Integrated library management software developed by the National Library of Canada. 2. Free online union catalog that includes the holdings of 1300 Canadian libraries including Library and Archives Canada http://www.collectionscanada.ca/amicus/ |
| amnesty | Waiving library fines in exchange for the return of overdue books |
| analects | Parts of a literary work or group of works, literary gleanings |
| archive | 1. A body of historical records of an organization. 2. Collection of computer files related to a particular subject, stored on a computer, disk, or tape |
Library and Information Science Glossary Starting with A | |
