1 Day Loan

An item in the High Demand collection that may only be borrowed for 1 Day. (is due back the next day). These are shelved in a separate location from the main book shelves.

1 Hour Loan

An item in the High Demand collection that may only be borrowed for 1 Hour. You need to ask at the library desk for these items.

3 Day Loan

An item in the High Demand collection that may only be borrowed for 3 days.

3 Hour Loan

An item in the High Demand collection that may only be borrowed for 3 hours. You need to ask at the library desk for these items.

Abstract

Summary of an article or book.

Access (as in off-campus access)

How you get to an electronic database or webpage from your computer.

Acrobat

See PDF (Portable Document Format)
Acrobat is a software product from the Adobe company for reading and creating PDF documents.

Advanced (search)

A type of search on the library catalogue that allows you to enter more than one term (eg. author and title) then limit your search and sort your results.

Alphabetical

A type of search on the library catalogue that displays your results in one long alphabetical sequence (A-Z) eg. title alphabetical.

Archive

a: The non-current records of an organization or institution preserved because of their continuing value.
b: The unit within the library responsible for selecting, preserving, and making available records determined to have permanent or continuing value.
c: The building or part of a building where archival materials are located.

Archivist

The professional staff member within the Library responsible for the selection, preservation, and use of archival materials.

Ask at Department (e.g. Fine Arts)

This appears on a library catalogue record when the item is kept in an Academic Department, eg. Fine Arts.

At the bindery

This appears on a library catalogue record when the item is either being repaired or having a hard cover put on. It is not available immediately but you may request these items by filling out a form. Ask at the library desk.

Audio-visual

Material that is not in paper format. Also known as AV. eg. videos, microfilm, cassettes, CDs.

Authentication

See Login

Basic (search)

A type of search on the library catalogue where you enter only one term. eg. Title, or author. Good for a quick search.

Bibliography

A list of resources usually arranged by author or subject.

Bindery

The place where library materials are repaired or bound (strengthened by having hard covers put on) by specialised technical staff (binders).

Binding trolley

This appears on a library catalogue record when the item is waiting to be repaired. It is not available immediately but you may request these items by filling out a form or placing a request on library catalogue. Ask at the library desk.

Blackboard

Some departments on campus use Blackboard software to deliver course material online. You lecturer will advise you if Blackboard is used for your course. Use a Web browser (e.g. Internet Explorer or Firefox) to access Blackboard from any computer on campus or over the Internet from home.

Boolean expression

Use of the words AND, OR and NOT to combine search terms when using databases.

Call number

This is a group of letters and numbers used to identify the location of a library item on the shelf. The call number is on every item and appears in the library catalogue record. eg Q 1 .N285 e

Canterbury Card account

What you put money on for photocopying and paying library fines.

Catalogue

A complete list of items stored in the library.

Check In

The place where you return library items.

Check Out

The place where you have books issued.

Citation

The written information that identifies a book or article. eg. Author, title, pages, and date

Citation database

A database which provides references to articles that have been referred to in another paper.

Citation style

A certain formal style used to write a reference to a book or article, is often subject specific.

Classification

See Call Number.

Collection Services

The library department that orders, processes and catalogues library materials before they go on the library shelves.

Collections

A group of library items on the same subject that are kept in the same area eg. Antarctic Collection.

Computer account

What you put money on to access email, the web, pay for printing.

Computer file

A term used in the library catalogue that means the item is in electronic form.

Copy

The term used indicating that the library has multiple copies of an item eg. Copy 2

Current Awareness

Keeping up to date with the latest literature published in a subject area.

Databases

A collection of organised, related data, especially one in electronic form that can be accessed and manipulated by specialised computer software.

Delimited

The method by which the beginning or end of a unit of data is marked. Datasets can be space or comma delimited.

Desktop Delivery

The electronic delivery of a copy (article) interloan to your PC as a PDF email attachment.

Dial-in access

Using a standard telephone connection to connect your computer to an Internet Services Provider (ISP).

EBSCO

a: Name of a company that provides access to electronic journal articles from a number of different publishers. You may see links from journal records in the Library catalogue to "Full text via Ebscohost EJS".
b: Software which provides access via an Internet browser to some databases.

E-reference

Reference and factual information online.

Electronic journals

Journals in electronic format. Also known as E-journals.

Electronic Resources

A term used to describe a variety of resources in electronic format e.g. databases, 'the web', e-journals.

Electronic Services

Any services which can be done electronically, for example renewing library items, checking borrower details.

EndNote

EndNote is a bibliographic management software programme that allows you to maintain a database of your references and citations, and further reformat them according to different bibliographic styles.

Epixtech

epixtech is a provider of automation technologies and services for libraries internationally. eg, the University of Canterbury Library computer system, Horizon.

Facilities

A general term describing various services e.g. photocopying.

Fine

A sum of money charged for not returning library items by the specified due date.

Firewall

An organization such as the University of Canterbury installs a firewall to allow students and staff access to the Internet, and to prevent outsiders from accessing its own private data resources.

Format

a. A computing arrangement of data
b. A type of library item e.g. book, microfiche, newspaper.

Gateways

A collection of subject specific web page links.

Global (Search)

A basic search on the Library catalogue which searches all fields of the record.

Google

An internet search engine.

Held

a: A requested item waiting collection. See also Item Held.
b: An item is in the Library.

High Demand

A temporary collection of heavily used course material. A High Demand collection is kept in the Central, Engineering, Law and Physical Sciences Libraries.

Holdings

The library materials or library items owned by the library.

Hold shelf

Where on hold items are kept behind the Lending Desk.

In display case

The status of an item temporarily in a special exhibition.

In Library

The catalogue indicates the item is currently available in the Library.

In process

Newly acquired items which are undergoing technical processing such as cataloguing and labelling. These can be requested.

In Transit

The term used when a Library item is on the way from one campus library to another.

Indexes

a: Detailed alphabetical list of topics, names, etc., mentioned in a book or series of books, quoting their volume and page number.
b: A bibliographical tool that brings together information about articles published in serials and arranges them under subject, providing sufficient bibliographic detail on each article for it to be located.

Information Services

Information Services are provided in all libraries offering help to find information. We can help you locate the best sources for your subject and assist you to use the library's print resources, databases and the Internet.

InformED

The library and research skills teaching programme.

Interloans

Interloan (or Interlibrary loan) is a way to get books and papers, which are not held by the University of Canterbury libraries.

Internet Service Provider (ISP)

A company that provides individuals and other companies with access to the Internet. You can access many of the Library's electronic resources from home if you have internet access.

ISBN

International Standard Book Number: An internationally agreed on standard number that identifies a book uniquely.

ISSN

International Standard Serial Number: An internationally agreed on standard number that identifies a serial publication uniquely.

Item

Something owned by the library. A generic term to cover books, videos, microfilm and computer files etc.

Item held

Status of the Requested item, waiting to be collected.

Items for deletion

Material which is waiting to be withdrawn from the collection.

James Hight

The Central Library is located within the James Hight Building. It was named after Canterbury's first professor of history, who later became Rector of the University - the equivalent of today's Vice Chancellor.

Journals

Publications that come out in parts on a regular basis (weekly, monthly, annually) and contain scholarly articles written by various authors. Also known as serials, periodicals or magazines.

K: drive

Some lecturers place course material on the K: drive (course folder). You will need to login to a student workstation on campus to view the K: drive.

Keyword Search

A computer keyword search of the library catalogue looks for words, or a combination of words, from the author, title, contents notes, or subject fields in a record.

Learning Skills Centre
(previously WASS)

Offers a range of free teaching services to help UC students at all levels acquire the specialised skills they need for academic success.You can make an appointment with a tutor to help you with essays, writing literature reviews, etc. See Also Student Services

Lending Desk

The desk where library items are issued.

Lending Services

The library department that looks after lending and returning library material, processing requests, borrower registration, lost books.

Librarian

A person who is a specialist in library work, also "A person who is responsible for a collection of specialized or technical information or materials". So while the library is full of librarians, there is only one University Librarian who is in charge of the whole place.

Limit, and limiting fields

A searching option which allows you to narrow or define your search to within specified parameters, for example to a specific location or collection or type. eg. Central Library video tapes.

Login

The act of entering into a computer system - usually involves entering a Username and Password.

Manuscripts

A grouping of documents created or accumulated by an individual or family, usually having historical or literary value or significance.

Media type

The format in which a particular work is presented (e.g. microfilm, video tape, CD-ROM etc.)

Metasearch Engines

Programs that use many internet search engines at once, and amalgamate the results onto one page.

Missing - tracing

A status given to a library item which cannot immediately be found where it should be on the shelves. These can be requested and will be searched for by the library.

Missing copy

An item that is missing. The library has searched for the item and not been able to find it - in 28 days it will become "lost" and be either replaced or deleted from the catalogue.

Monograph

A book that is complete in one physical piece, as opposed to a serial (or journal) which is produced in cumulative parts indefinitely.

My Library Account

Your library record, accessed via the library catalogue. It shows what you have and the due dates, any fines owing, requests and holds. Here you can make renewals (where possible) and check and amend your personal details.

My List

A feature in the library catalogue which allows you to save a list of titles (and their library records). You can create multiple lists (eg a separate one for each essay you are working on), and either save them within "My Library Account" or email them to yourself.

Network

A group of physically dispersed computers linked to each other to share information resources.

Non-library material

High Demand items on loan from academic departments. Usually for use in the library only.

Online

Connected to or accessible via a computer or computer network.

Online Bookings

Computerised booking facility for library discussion rooms, audio visual equipment via the library's web pages.

Online Help

a: Instructions, operating manuals etc. available in electronic form and accessed via a computer. Most computer applications have an Online Help button.
b: The Library also has a virtual online service (AskLive) which allows borrowers to contact Library staff through the Internet and ask a question in real time. This is accessed via the library's web pages.

Online interloan request form

An electronic form for requesting an interloan.

Password

A secret word, or string of characters, which identifies a user to login into a computer or computer network.

PDF

Portable Document Format. A computer file format for sharing documents across different kinds of computers and independent of their original software.

Periodicals

A publication issued at regular intervals, usually more frequently than annually, eg. a monthly magazine, or a quarterly journal. Each issue usually contains separate articles or other writings. See also: serial, journal

Phrase

A sequence of words. Search engines will usually give the option of a phrase search. The search engine will look for occurrences of the particular sequence of words entered.

Plug-in

Plug-in applications are programs that are used as part of your Web browser. The most commonly used plug-in you are likely to come across in the Library is the Adobe Acrobat Reader.

Precision (search)

A type of search in the library catalogue allowing a user to narrow and focus their search by defining and combining search terms. See also Keyword, Phrase, and Limit and Limiting Fields above.

ProQuest

Collection of different databases covering a wide range of subjects that provide access to many journal articles online. Access is via an Internet browser.

Re-labeling

A status used when items need a new call number label and are temporarily not on the shelf. These items can be "requested".

Ready reference

Provision of quick answers to factual questions, using standard sources such as dictionaries, almanacs and directories.

Recall

A status assigned when an item on loan has been requested by another borrower and has been assigned a new due date.

Recently returned

Material returned to the library within the last 3 days. These are held on the Recently returned shelves in the appropriate library before being returned to their classified shelf location.

Reference only

A collection of mainly reference material (such as encyclopaedias, dictionaries, handbooks, directories, etc.), restricted to use within the library, so that they will always be on hand when needed.

Request

To reserve an item that is currently unavailable (out to another patron). When it is available, a notification will be sent.

Resources

Physical or electronic sources (including Databases) of information. See Also Holdings, Items.

Search

The act of looking for information, e.g. from the catalogue, Reference books, etc.

Search Engines

Programmes that enable you to search the internet using keywords or phrases.

Serial at bindery

This appears on a library catalogue record when the loose parts of a journal are being bound as a volume at the Library Bindery.

Serial for bindery

This appears on a library catalogue record when the loose parts of a journal are being prepared for binding. Ask at the Information Desk.

Serials

A publication issued in successive parts and intended to be continued indefinitely. Examples of serials are: periodicals, journals, newspapers, monographic series and yearbooks. They can be in any medium, e.g. print, CD-ROM, electronic, microfilm. See also: periodical, journal

Series

Separate publications on a specific subject having a collective title, in addition to the individual titles.
eg. The series Computational mathematics and applications has 7 individually titled items.

Services

The wide range of services and information available from the library. For example, Borrowing information, Contact Details, Interloan Information, What facilities are available, Collection services and Special library collections.

Special collections

The Library has a number of special collections housed in various parts of the Library buildings. Request items from the Archives, Mackay and Expedition Report Collections from the Macmillan Brown Library. Items from other collections listed can be requested through Lending Services who will retrieve them for you.

Status

The Availability statement in the library catalogue, indicating where the library item is. eg:
Due: Out on Issue and due at this particular date. These can be requested.
In Library: Indicates that the item is available in that particular library at the call number.

Student Services

Through the Student Services Department. Located on level 7 of the James Hight Building, the University offers a range of support services for many facets of student life. For example, Learning Skills Centre (previously WASS), English Language Support Programme (ELSP) and student accommodation.

Subject (Information) Librarians

Subject Librarians offer specialist individual or group assistance with finding information in specific subject areas.

Te Puna

The National Library of New Zealand Library Catalogue. Te Puna is a Union catalogue, showing the holdings of most New Zealand libraries.

Truncation

In database searching, the act of entering and searching for a shortened word, a word stem, or a string of letters, often indicated by adding a symbol (e.g. *). Example: use truncation to find word variations child* to find child, childhood, children and children's.

Username

The name assigned to identify a computer user, usually accompanied by a password.

URL

Uniform Resource Locator. An address used by web browsers to uniquely identify and locate a web page on the Internet. For example, http://library.canterbury.ac.nz

Wanted - High Demand

A status that indicates that an item is in library and is being looked for to placed in the High Demand Collection.

Warehouse

The Library Warehouse is used to house less frequently used material and the Macmillan Brown archives.
See Storage for how to request items to be retrieved.

Web browser

Software used to interact with information on the World Wide Web (WWW). Commonly used examples on campus are Microsoft Internet Explorer and Firefox. Also known as a 'browser', or 'Internet browser'

WebCT

see Blackboard

Wildcards

In database searching, using wildcard allows you to seach different spellings of a word, often indicated by adding a symbol (e.g.?). Example: wildcards to find alternate spelling, globli?ation to find globalization, globalisation.

Workroom availability

Lists Computers available on campus and approximate numbers of PCs & Macs not currently in use.