Off-Campus Library Services – University College

Bounce - Electronic mail returned to the sender for some reason.
Browser (or Web Browser) - An interface allowing access to the Internet, the World Wide Web via the Internet. The most common browsers are Netscape Navigator and Microsoft's Internet Explorer.
Byte - A unit of data comprised of 8 binary units or bits represents one character. Useful to know for the size of documents your e-mail provider will allow you to receive.

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Call Number - A combination of numbers and letters that identifies the item in a particular subject area and usually identifies the location of the item in a particular library system.
Case Sensitive - Implies that some systems have additional security features which allow the user to use caps lock or remove caps lock (upper-case) or remove caps lock (lower-case). Security will require the specified case to be used consistently. Ex. YJK789 is a password, notice that the YJK are upper case. Should the user try to use yjk789, the password will not be accepted if the system is case sensitive. Systems using case sensitive features usually alert users to this.
Citation - A written reference to a specific work or portion of a work (book, article, dissertation, report, musical composition, etc.) by a particular author, editor, composer, etc., which clearly identifies the document in which the work is to be found.
Examples:
Book:
Periodical Article: Cite - The process of giving credit to another person's work in your own work; done to avoid plagiarism and to help readers find additional information.
Click - A direction to push one's finger on the buttons of the mouse to select an item. While the cursor on the screen is pointing to a specific item. Named from the sound the mouse buttons make when pushed on.
COM - ".com" is used as an extension in two different cases. When used in a web address, it indicates that the site being viewed is provided by a commercial entity. When seen as an extension on the end of a file name it represents "command". There are several "command" files located on your computer, however, if you are ever sent a .com file in an email - DO NOT OPEN IT! It is more than likely a virus and it will harm your computer.
Combining Terms (see also Boolean Operators) - The process of adding words to limit or enhance the search, making it more effective and efficient. These words are "and,""or," and "not."
Configuration - The settings made on your computer that are set by default at the design level of the machine. In order to bypass these default settings, you would need to reconfigure your machine. This should only be done if it is your machine and if you are doing it with guided instructions or previous experience.
Controlled Vocabulary - Used to search databases more effectively. Many database producers have a list of subject headings or descriptors used to describe the focus of publications they index/abstract. The subject headings/descriptors are added to the record of each publication included in the database. Many databases make these headings available through an online thesaurus.
Cookie - A "cookie" is a tool that allows your computer to remember things about your computer activities. It is mostly used in conjunction with the Internet. An example of how a "cookie" is used is when you visit Amazon's website and it remembers what you bought last time and what you were looking for last time you visited the site. It is also how your computer remembers usernames and passwords if you select that option when asked. You can turn the cookie feature off, and some people feel that they need to do that for added security; however, it may affect the amount and what you can access on the web. Some of the databases accessible via the library system will not work unless cookies are turned on.
Copyright - A form of protection provided by the laws of the United States (title 17, U.S. Code) to the authors of "original works of authorship," including literary, dramatic, musical, artistic, and certain other intellectual works. For more information about copyright, see the United States Copyright Office web site <http://www.copyright.gov/> which includes definitions, frequently asked questions, and basic information about copyright.

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Database - A collection of information retrieved by query. Databases can provide access to citations, abstracts, full-text documents, numeric data, etc.
Dead Link - A hypertext link, linking to another website/URL that no longer works. This may indicate that the URL has been changed or that the website is no longer available.
Desktop - Using an office metaphor, a desktop is a computer display area that represents the kinds of objects one might find on a real desktop: documents, phonebook, telephone, reference sources, writing (and possibly drawing) tools, project folders. Your desktop on your computer is the main display area you see when you turn your computer on.
Dial-up Access - The traditional method of accessing the internet, derived from the fact that the computer's modem is attached to a phone line that will dial-up the internet service provider's phone number.
Dissertation - A work traditionally done by a doctoral student. Very few copies of dissertations are printed and they are typically difficult to borrow from other institutions.
Domain - An area designated for a particular type of web site. Usually represents a particular institution, company or other designated division (e.g., unit, department).
Domain Name - The name of the web page (identified with an IP address) and the suffix attached. (Ex. msn.com - msn is the name of the web page and .com is the suffix indicating a commercial site.)
Download (see also Upload) - To copy information from an external location to your computer.
DSL (Digital Subscriber Line) - Based on the same principle as dial-up access through standard telephone lines, but done with copper wires versus traditional telephone. DSL offers higher speeds than traditional telephone dial-up services.
Due Date - A date stamped in the front or back of a book (or other library item) that indicates when the item must be returned to the library. Fines are charged for items not returned by the due date. Patrons can extend a due date by requesting a renewal.

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EDU - Domain name suffix indicating the web source is educational in nature or registered to an educational institution.
Electronic Journal - A publication, often scholarly, that is made accessible in a computerized format and distributed over the Internet. An electronic journal or e-journal may have a traditional paper counterpart or historical antecedent. For example, the journal American Literature can be found in both paper and electronic versions.
Electronic Resources - Information collected from electronic databases or over the Internet instead of from a printed copy in a book, journal or other traditional resource.
E-Mail - Electronic mail sent by a computer. Usually a text file, but it can contain graphics and sound files.
E-Reserve (Electronic Reserve) - Web access to materials traditionally available at the library's Reserve Desk.

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Field - Access points within a record that can be used to retrieve specific information by limiting or restricting the search. Usually abbreviated, frequently-used fields include: la = language; py = specific year(s); dt = specific document type such as research; jn = specific journal title; au = specific author.
File - A related collection of records.
Fire Wall - A combination of hardware and software that separates a network into two or more parts for security purposes. When students are not able to access the Distance Learning webpage from work, it may be due to the firewall in their company's computer.
FTP (File Transfer Protocol) - A common method of moving files between two Internet sites.
Full Text Article - In a full text periodical resource, both the description and the article itself will be available.

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GIF - (Graphic Interchange Format) a common format for image files.
GOV - A top-level domain name. It generally describes the entity owning the domain name as a branch or an agency of the U.S. government. (Other U.S. government levels are encouraged to use the geographic top-level domain name of "us".)

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Hard Copy - A printed copy of a document.
Hit - A successful response from the term(s) you input in a search statement.
Homepage - 1) The web page your browser is set to use when it starts up. 2) The main web page for a business, organization or person.
HTML (HyperText Markup Language) - The text coding language used to create documents for use on the World Wide Web.
HTTP (HyperText Transfer Protocol, http://) - The set of rules for exchanging files (text, graphic images, sound, video, and other multimedia files) on the World Wide Web.
Hypertext (see also Link) - Highlighted words or phrases in an Internet text document that can be chosen by a reader which cause another document to be retrieved and displayed.

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Icon - Pictures that are symbols for functions.
ILLiad - This is the name of the University Library's Interlibrary Loan (ILL) software.
Image Files - Files that contain images, such as graphics or photographs. Common Image File Formats are JPEG, GIF and TIFF.
Index - An index is a guide to the contents of a file, document, or a group of documents. An index is used to point to the contents of something. For example, there are indexes in the backs of books that describe and point to the contents of those books. There are also very large indexes that describe the contents of journals and provide enough information to locate an article in a journal.
Interface - The operating system commands, graphical display formats, and other devices provided by a computer or a program to allow the user to communicate and use the computer or program.
Interlibrary Loan (ILL) - Borrowing an item or requesting a copy of an item that is not available in the university's collection. The library user submits a request to the Interlibrary Loan Department, which procures the item.
Internet Explorer (IE) - A Web browser developed by Microsoft.
IP (Internet Protocol) Number/Address - Every machine on the Internet has a unique IP number, sometimes called a dotted quad because it has four parts, each separated by dots. An example: 145.115.245.2
ISBN (International Standard Book Number) - A unique number assigned to each new title, edition and binding of a book, generally found in the front of the book on the same page with copyright and cataloging information.
ISDN (Integrated Services Digital Network) - A way to move more data over existing regular phone lines. Contrasted to a DSL (Digital Subscriber Line), ISDN can be used to connect to many different locations, one at a time, just like a regular telephone call, as long as the other location also has ISDN.
ISP (Internet Service Provider) - A company that provides access to the Internet.
ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) - A unique 8-digit number assigned to every periodical publication (journal, magazine, electronic serial or other item published on a continuing basis).

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Java - A computer programming language invented by Sun Microsystems that is often used to create Applets.
Java Script - Not be confused with Java, JavaScript originated at Netscape. It is interpreted at a higher level, is easier to learn than Java, but lacks some of the portability of Java and the speed of bytecode.
Journal - Although the terms periodical, journal, serial, and magazine have slightly different definitions, they are often used interchangeably. They are published on a regular basis (weekly, monthly, annually, etc.) and contain articles written by various authors.
A journal contains peer-reviewed articles written by scholars while a magazine contains more popular articles often written by journalists. The terms periodical and serial are more generic and refer to all types of these materials.
JPEG (Joint Photographic Experts Group) - A format for image files.

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Keyword Searching - Most online catalogs and bibliographic databases include an option that allows the user to search by keyword(s). In this type of search, users enter a significant word or words that describe the research topic, and the catalog or database retrieves all records where the search terms appear whether they appear in the title field, abstract field, subject heading field, contents field, notes field, etc.

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Library of Congress Classification - A classification system developed by the Library of Congress (LC) that is used to organize the collections of many academic and research libraries. This alpha-numeric system arranges materials by subject. Each subject or class is represented by a series of letters and numbers, which are used to create an LC call number.
Link - A word, phrase or picture you can click on to connect to another Web page.
ListServ - An electronic discussion list which participants subscribe to via email. Members receive and send messages to the membership group via email.
Loan Period - The amount of time a patron may borrow a book or other item from the library. The time varies depending on the type of material borrowed and the status of the borrower.
Logon - Connect to a service and provide identification (name and password).
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Magazine - Although the terms periodical, journal, serial, and magazine have slightly different definitions, they are often used interchangeably. They are published on a regular basis (weekly, monthly, annually, etc.) and contain articles written by various authors.
A journal contains peer-reviewed articles written by scholars while a magazine contains more popular articles often written by journalists. The terms periodical and serial are more generic and refer to all types of these materials.
MARINER - Maine Academic and Research Initiative for Electronic Resources. Read about MARINER at http://libraries.maine.edu/mariner/aboutmariner.asp
Megabyte (MB) - A million bytes. Technically, 1024 kilobytes.
MLA (see also APA and Style Manual) - The citation style preferred by the Modern Language Association.
Modem (MOdulator, DEModulator) - A device that connects a computer to a telephone line.

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Netscape Navigator - A World Wide Web browser.
Network - A connection between two or more computers.

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Online Catalog - An electronic or digitized version of a library's card catalog. The University of Maine System's online catalog is URSUS.
ORG - In general, non-profit organizations and industry standard groups tend to use this generic name. It can also serve as a domain suffix for these organizations, as in ".org".

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PDF (Portable Document Format) Files - A file format that has captured all the elements of a printed document as an electronic image that you can view, navigate, print, or forward to someone else. PDF files are created using Adobe Acrobat or similar products.
Peer Reviewed - An indicator of quality scholarship. An author's peers evaluate a manuscript and recommend rejection or publication. A peer-reviewed journal is sometimes referred to as "juried," "academic" or "scholarly."
Periodical - An item published on a recurring or "periodic" basis. Newspapers, magazines and journals are periodicals.
Phrase Searching - Usually requires using quotation marks in a search to narrow results to a specific phrase. Placing quotation marks around a phrase restricts results to exact matches. Examples: "solar system" "new planet" Some services search phrases automatically (e.g., all WebSPIRS databases).
Plug-in - Easily installed programs used as part of a web browser, such as Adobe Reader for Acrobat files, RealPlayer or MediaPlayer for streaming audio/video, and Flash for flash and shockwave files.
Primary Sources - Contemporary accounts of an event; original documents such as letters and diaries. Secondary sources, such as analysis and biography, are derived from primary sources.
Proxy Server - An intermediary between a workstation user and the Internet to ensure security and administrative control. Often used to provide remote access to resources that are restricted to a specific IP range or domain.
Public Domain - Writings and other works that are not restricted by copyright, so they may be copied, distributed or sold without restriction or permission.
Pull-Down Menu - A feature of both Windows and Mac systems. By clicking on an item on the menu bar across the top of the screen (File, Edit, View.), a pull-down menu drops, revealing the various choices in that menu.

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Rare Books - Books that are valued for the significance of their contents, their scarcity, their imprint or date of publication, their physical characteristics or condition, or their associations (signed or annotated by a famous author, for instance).
Read-Only - A document that can be viewed but not changed.
Reference Service - When a person has a question about how to find specific information or how to use library services and resources, assistance can be obtained from a reference librarian. Questions are answered by professional librarians or reference assistants.
Renewal - An extension of the loan period for material borrowed from the library. Renewals may be handled in person at the circulation desk, by phone, or through the link "View your account or renew a book" on the Library Gateway.

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Scholarly Journal/Source - A publication meeting the standards generally accepted by professors as being appropriate for academic research.
Serials - Publication produced on a continuing basis, such as journals and magazines.
Server - A computer that offers services, including email and Web pages, to clients on a network.
Spam - Junk mail via E-mail.
Style Manuals (see also APA and MLA) - Various ways to cite references.

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Text Files (see also Image Files, PDF Files and Electronic Files) - Electronic documents composed only of text.
Thesaurus - A list of all the subject headings or descriptors used in a particular database, catalog, or index.
TIFF (Tag Image File Format) - One of the most common graphic image formats, TIFF files are commonly used in desktop publishing, faxing, 3-D applications, and medical imaging applications.
Toolbar - A row of icons that stand for commands, for example, in a Browser, commands such as "Back" or "Bookmark."
Truncate - In a keyword search, a word root followed by a truncation symbol that will retrieve variant word endings. Example: educat* will retrieve educator, educators, education and educational all at the same time. Truncation symbols vary among services; the most common are the asterisk and the question mark.
Tutorials - Computer program that provides instructional information about a specific subject, often on the use of a particular computer program or application.

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Upload (see also Download) - Copy a file or program from your computer's hard drive to another computer or disk.
URL (Uniform Resource Locator) - The combination of letters, numbers and punctuation that appears in the LOCATION or ADDRESS line near the top of the Web Browser window; the Web site address. (Ex: http://www.learn.maine.edu/ocls/)
URSUS - Shared catalog of the University of Maine System, Bangor Public Library, Maine State Library, Maine State Law and Legislative Reference Library.

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Virus - A piece of programming code usually disguised as something else (an email attachment or downloadable program) that causes some unexpected and usually undesirable event.

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Works Cited Page (see also Bibliography) - A list of books or other works consulted or cited in a manuscript or other work where outside sources may have been used. This list usually appears at the end of a work.
World Wide Web (WWW) - A client/server system that uses the Internet to send text, images, audio and video from one computer (the server) to another computer that has a web browser (the client).