UNIT 1

The functions of public libraries

A public library (community library) aims to service the informational, recreational,

educational and cultural needs of the local community by means of available printed
and other media. In other words, its objectives can be described as:

 Education – To foster and provide means for the development of the individual /
group at all levels of educational ability.
 Information – To give the user quick access to accurate information over the
whole range of human knowledge.
 Culture – To be a chief center for cultural life and to actively promote participation
and appreciation of all the arts.
 Recreation – To play a positive role in encouraging an active use of leisure and
recreational time.

The public library plays an active part in the development of the community. Such
involvement will have implications for the service provided by the library, the methods
used to reach people, the promotion of the library services, and the very character of
libraries and librarians.

Issues pertaining to those goals:

The users of libraries have traditionally been described in terms of middle class ideology
/ culture. Library services have tended to reflect the needs, attitudes and tastes of that
group. Libraries have therefore come to be seen as middle class institutions and this
has contributed to the lack of attraction that they appear to have for other groups.

The decline of library use over the last decades and other factors, such as the growth of
the paperback market, the emergence and rapid growth of the internet, criticisms of the
relationship of libraries and ordinary people, etc., have led to a growing concern of the
role of libraries in society. In the US, a lot of research has been done to find out how
libraries can meet the ever-changing needs of the community which they are supposed
to service.

If the object of community librarianship is to make library services available and relevant
to the whole community, one important element in achieving this goal must be to

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remove the many barriers which exist to library use. For many people libraries are
forbidding, unfriendly and essentially unattractive places.

People are often discouraged from using libraries because they cannot find the
information or materials that they require, and therefore see the library as irrelevant to
their needs. The failure of libraries to provide what people want can be due to a decision
not to purchase the type of materials that users are seeking. The decisions which
materials are to be acquired are often made in terms of abstract concepts such as
‘balanced stock’ or the purchase of ‘good’ literature.

On the other hand, the concept of providing what people want, rather than what libraries
think they ought to have, has proved to be controversial. The principles which should
govern the choice of books and other materials should be based on the following
considerations:

The provision of materials should reflect the interests and the composition of the local
community rather than presenting a ‘balanced’ view. This means that librarians should
not shy away from providing socially and politically controversial material which reflects
local concerns, and retreat into the security of the bland and the innocuous.

Providing services to the whole community means also to focus one’s attention to those
groups which have been described as ‘disadvantaged’, including young adults, the
elderly, ethnic minority communities, women, the unemployed, the handicapped,
prisoners, etc. One way librarians can provide services to meet the needs of those
groups is through outreach. The term outreach describes the provision of library
resources outside the library buildings. The object of outreach is to take library services
to those who would not otherwise have access to them, or who would not be aware that
they are relevant to their needs.

Reading Comprehension
1. What does a public library aim to do?

2. Name the four objectives of a public library.

3. Why are public libraries seen as middle class institutions?

4. Why are people discouraged from using libraries?

5. Which groups of people are described as disadvantaged?

6. What are outreach resources?

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Exercises
A Give the noun and adjective of the words below

VERB NOUN ADJECTIVE

1. acquire
2. commit
3. contribute
4. discourage
5. employ
6. identify
7. provide
8. recreate
9. reflect
10. remove

B Fill in the blanks with the verbs given in the correct tense or form

apply cooperate describe promote

concern demonstrate forbid seek

1. This decision ____________________ his sense of fairness.

2. I read an article that ____________________ the hardships of homeless
people.
3. This problem ____________________ all of us.
4. When he was fired he ____________________ for unemployment benefits.
5. TV commercials ____________________ a variety of new products or
services.
6. “___________________ and you will find,” is a wise saying.
7. Smoking and eating ____________________ in all library premises.
8. Goya's etchings ____________________ the horrors of war in grotesque
detail.

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C Fill in the blanks with derivatives of the words in parentheses

The following [partial] list of criteria which underlies the selection of job 1____________
(apply) for librarian grade posts might show how the issues discussed 2_____________
(previous) are reflected in the selection process.

In interviewing for librarian grade posts, we are looking for people who are able to
demonstrate the following:

 Ability to communicate positively and 3_________________ (effect) with all kinds

of people, 4________________ (regard) of their age, sex, ethnic origin or
personal 5_________________ (believe).
 Successful experiences of having worked on tasks 6_________________
(cooperate) with other people as a group, and with having led a group in such a
situation.
 An attitude of 7_________________ (commit) to the philosophy of working within
the community in the provision of library services on the basis of identified needs,
combined with a day-to-day 8_________________ (know) of how a community
‘works’ .
 A general knowledge of the 9_________________ (culture) background of ethnic
10_________________ (minor) communities.
 Last but not least, a sense of humor.

(Modern Library Practice, edited by Sheila Ritchie, Buckden Cambridgeshire, 1982, p.89.)

D Put the following sentences into the passive voice

1. We have described the users of public libraries in terms of middle class

ideology.

2. We can describe the objectives of public libraries.

3. The provision of materials should reflect the interests and the composition of
the local community.

4. People often see the library as irrelevant to their needs.

5. Libraries must acquire books and other materials which are relevant to the
users’ needs.

6. The teacher is asking the students to do a lot of extra homework.

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 7. Librarians made decisions in terms of abstract ideas.

8. They believe that the library will increase the number of volumes by 10%.

Vocabulary
abstract αφηρημένος
accurate ακριβής = exact, precise
acquire αποκτώ = get
actively ενεργά
appreciation εκτίμηση
attraction έλξη, θέλγητρο
background υπόβαθρο
barrier εμπόδιο, φράγμα = obstacle
beliefs τα πιστεύω ενός ανθρώπου
bland πράος, ήπιος, ‘νερόβραστος’
chief κύριος, βασικός = main
commitment δέσμευση
composition σύνθεση
concept έννοια, αντίληψη = idea
consider θεωρώ, λαμβάνω υπ’ όψη
consideration μελέτη, εξέταση, παράγοντας, ζήτημα
controversial αμφισβητούμενος, αμφιλεγόμενος
cooperatively σε συνεργασία
decline πτώση = fall, drop
demonstrate επιδεικνύω = show
disadvantaged μη προνομιούχος
discourage αποθαρρύνω ≠ encourage
effectively αποτελεσματικά
forbid απαγορεύω = prohibit ≠ permit, allow
foster καλλιεργώ, υποθάλπω, ενθαρρύνω
grade βαθμός, βαθμίδα
handicapped σε μειονεκτική θέση λόγω κακής υγείας, ανάπηρος
implication επίπτωση, συνέπεια, επιπλοκή
innocuous αθώος, αβλαβής
institution ίδρυμα
issue θέμα, ζήτημα
leisure αναψυχή, αργία, ελεύθερος χρόνος
media μέσα
meet the needs ανταποκρίνομαι στις ανάγκες
minority μειονότητα
objective αντικείμενο, στόχος, σκοπός = aim, goal
outreach μακρόθεν, μη γειτνιάζων
paperback χαρτόδετο βιβλίο ≠ hardcover
participation συμμετοχή

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pertain αφορώ, αναφέρομαι
post θέση, πόστο
principle αρχή, κανόνας
prisoner φυλακισμένος
promote προάγω, προωθώ
provision παροχή, φροντίδα, πρόβλεψη
purchase αγοράζω
range φάσμα, εύρος
recreation αναψυχή, ψυχαγωγία
reflect αντανακλώ, αντιπροσωπεύω = represent
relevant σχετικός ≠ irrelevant
remove απομακρύνω
retreat υποχωρώ
seek αναζητώ, ψάχνω = look for, search
shy away from αποφεύγω
stock απόθεμα
tend τείνω
underlie υπόκειμαι, αποτελώ τη βάση

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UNIT 2

Functions of Academic Libraries

Academic libraries range from the largest university libraries to the smallest school
library. Their general objectives may be listed as follows:

 To serve the needs of the academic community, both staff and students.
 To provide study areas for users.
 To provide a lending service appropriate to the different types of users.
 To provide an active information service.

Functions of National Libraries

In the United Kingdom it’s the British Library which is a focal point for any library
service. It offers a comprehensive support service to libraries of all types throughout the
United Kingdom. A closer look at its organization may be helpful in understanding what
kinds of functions are being performed by such institutions.

The British Library is managed by the British Library Board which is responsible for the
development of policy. This policy is implemented through the Executives of the British
Library who are the heads of the five central divisions.

Lending Division – Its stock consists of the whole country’s publication, plus as much of
the publication of the rest of the world as is economically feasible, so that

1. any individual or groups within the country, through their own local or specialized
library services, may be sure that a copy of any information-containing material
which they require may be made available through the national library service as
quickly as possible,
2. so that libraries in other countries may have a central point which they may
approach to borrow material which may not be available in their own collection.

The Lending Division is the largest library in the world devoted to interlending. Among
its holdings are monographs, dissertations, conference proceedings and serials.
Another library can borrow books and photocopies of periodical articles by sending the
appropriate voucher.

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Reference Division – It comprises, among others, the Department of Printed Books, the
Department of Manuscripts, and the Science Reference Library.

The Department of Printed Books holds the legal deposit right to receive, without
needing to request, one “best” copy of every UK publication which must be lodged with
the Copyright Receipt office within one month of publication at the publisher’s expense.
Over the years the library has thus acquired many rare and valuable books and has
also been the beneficiary of many donations and bequests.

The Department of Manuscripts has many unique and beautiful books.

The Science Reference Library is the country’s premier research library for the natural
sciences, engineering, technology and industrial property (collection of British Patents
and Monopoly grants). It is connected to the major international online services in its
field. Unlike the Department of Printed Books, it is available to readers without special
permission.

Bibliographic Services Division – It has developed from the activities related to the
edition of the British National Bibliography in the fifties, a weekly listing of almost all
British publications. The basis for its compilation is the material received by The British
Library under the legal deposit arrangements.

The Division is responsible for the production of the MARC (Machine Readable
Catalogue), which serves as a source for the production of the British National
Bibliography, and the BLAISE (British Library Automated Information Service) off and
on-line service to libraries.

Research and Development Department – It provides a national focus for the carrying
out of research into a wide range of library and information related subjects. Topics
such as “How to go on-line,” or “Library user education” are but two examples of the
research undertaken in recent years.

Administration – It is responsible for the management of the affairs of the library.

Reading Comprehension
Say whether the sentences below are true or false

1. Academic libraries range from the largest university libraries to small school
libraries.
2. MARC stands for Manuscript Readable Catalogue.

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 3. One objective of academic libraries is to provide reference materials at
appropriate levels.
4. The Department of Printed Books holds the legal deposit right to receive, upon
request, one best copy of every UK publication.
5. The Lending Division is primarily devoted to interlending.
6. The Science Reference Library is available to readers by permission only.

Exercises
A Match the words with their synonyms

1. administration ___________ administrative

2. compile ___________ all-inclusive

3. comprehensive ___________ apply

4. executive ___________ authorization

5. feasible ___________ collect

6. implement ___________ demand

7. permission ___________ management

8. proceed ___________ possible

9. request ___________ progress

B Put the verbs into the correct tense (active or passive)

By law, a copy of every UK print publication 1__________________ (give) to the British

Library by its publishers, and to five other major libraries that request it. This system
2__________________ (call) legal deposit and 3_________________ (be) a part of
English law since 1662.
From 6 April 2013, legal deposit also 4__________________ (cover) material published
digitally and online, so that the Legal Deposit Libraries can provide a national archive of
the UK’s non-print published material, such as websites, blogs, e-journals and CD-
ROMs.

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 The legal deposit system also has benefits for authors and publishers:
• Deposited publications 5__________________ (make) available to users of the deposit
libraries on their premises, 6__________________ (preserve) for the benefit of future
generations, and become part of the nation’s heritage.
• Publications 7__________________ (record) in the online catalogues, and become an
essential research resource for generations to come.
• Most of the books and new serial titles 8__________________ (list) in the British
National Bibliography (BNB), which 9__________________ (use) by librarians and the
book trade for stock selection; the BNB is available on CD-ROM in MARC exchange
formats, and has a world-wide distribution.
• Publishers at times 10__________________ (approach) the deposit libraries for copies
of their own publications which they no longer have but which 11__________________
(preserve) through legal deposit.
• Legal deposit 12__________________ (support) a cycle of knowledge, through which
deposited works provide inspiration and source material for new books that eventually
13__________________ (achieve) publication.
C Make collocations

1. acquire ____________ article

2. carry out ____________ attention
3. conference ____________ deposit
4. ethnic ____________ field
5. focus ____________ information
6. implement ____________ materials
7. legal ____________ minorities
8. lend ____________ policy
9. periodical ____________ proceedings
10. seek ____________ range
11. subject ____________ research
12. wide ____________ resources

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10
Vocabulary
administration διοίκηση, διαχείριση
approach προσέγγιση
appropriate κατάλληλος = suitable, proper
archive αρχείο
article άρθρο
bequest κληροδότημα
board συμβούλιο, επιτροπή
carry out εκτελώ, φέρω εις πέρας = perform
compilation συλλογή, σύνταξη
compile συντάσσω κατάλογο, συλλέγω υλικό
comprehensive περιεκτικός, ευρύς, πλήρης
comprise αποτελώ = be made of, consist of
conference συνέδριο
deposit εναπόθεση, κατάθεση
devote αφιερώνω
division τμήμα, διαίρεση, καταμερισμός, διαχωρισμός
donation δωρεά
executive εκτελεστικός, ανώτερο στέλεχος
feasible εφικτός ≠ impossible
focal εστιακός = central
grant χορηγία, δωρεά
head ο επικεφαλής, διευθυντής
holdings αποθέματα, περιουσία
implement υλοποιώ, θέτω σε εφαρμογή, πραγματοποιώ
interlending εσωτερικός δανεισμός
journal περιοδικό ειδικού ενδιαφέροντος = periodical
legal νόμιμος
lodge στεγάζω, υποβάλλω, καταθέτω προς φύλαξη
manuscript χειρόγραφο
multiple πολλαπλός
natural sciences θετικές επιστήμες
on-line services ηλεκτρονικές υπηρεσίες
perform εκτελώ, φέρω εις πέρας = carry out
permission άδεια
plus συν = in addition to
premier πρώτος τη τάξει, πρωθυπουργός = primary
premises χώρος =location, building, grounds
proceedings πρακτικά = minutes
property ιδιοκτησία
rare σπάνιος ≠ common, infrequent
request ζητώ, αιτούμαι = ask
right δικαίωμα
valuable πολύτιμος
voucher απόδειξη, δελτίο, κουπόνι

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UNIT 3
The Library of Congress FAQs

After skimming the paragraphs below, match them with the questions to which
they are the answers.

1 _______________________________________________________________?
The Library serves as a research arm of Congress and is recognized as the national
library of the United States. Its collections comprise of the world’s most comprehensive
record of human creativity and Knowledge. Open to those above high school age
without charge or special permission, it is the world’s largest library and a great
resource to scholars and researchers.

2 _______________________________________________________________?

After its founding in 1800, the Library was housed in a boarding house and later in the
Capitol. Its first permanent building—now called the Thomas Jefferson Building—was
opened in 1897. The John Adams Building was completed in 1939 and the James
Madison Memorial Building in 1980.

3 _______________________________________________________________?

The Library is directed by the Librarian of Congress, who is appointed by the president
of the United States and confirmed by a vote of the Senate. Since the Library’s founding
in 1800, there have been 13 Librarians of Congress, including the incumbent, James H.
Billington, who was sworn in on September 14, 1987.

4 _______________________________________________________________?

About 500,000 requests are received annually by the congressional Research Service
(CRS), the part of the Library that serves Congress. Staffed by specialists on a wide
variety of topics, CRS supplies Congress with unbiased information on a wide variety of
subjects. Another department of the Library that works closely with Congress is the Law
Library. With collections in foreign, international and comparative law, it serves as the
foreign law research arm of Congress.

5 _______________________________________________________________?

First, to make knowledge and creativity available to the U.S. Congress on a continuing
basis. Second, to acquire, organize, preserve, secure and sustain for the present and

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future use of Congress and the nation a comprehensive record of American history and
creativity and a universal collection of human knowledge. The Library’s third priority is to
make its collections maximally accessible to Congress, the government and the public
through such means as the National Digital Library Program. Its fourth priority is to add
interpretive and educational value to the basic resources of the Library to highlight the
importance of the Library to the nation’s wellbeing and future progress.

6 _______________________________________________________________?

With a staff of more than 4,000, the Library serves about 1 million readers and visitors
annually. Children as well as adults are welcome on escorted Library tours.

7 _______________________________________________________________?

The expanded Computer Catalog Center, adjacent to the Main Reading Room, enables
patrons to use a simplified automated bibliographic search program to look up titles in
the Library’s general book collections. Users outside the Library can gain free access to
its on-line catalog of files through the Internet. Major exhibitions of the library are also
available on-line, as are selected prints and photographs, historic films and political
speeches. An on-line resource for information about the U.S. Congress, called
THOMAS, is also available on the Internet (http://thomas.loc.gov/). These initiatives are
part of the National digital Library Program. In another use of Technology, the Library
employs an optical disk system that supplies articles on public policy to Congress.

8 _______________________________________________________________?

The National Digital Library (NDL) Program is the Library’s initiative to make widely
available digitized versions of its unique American collections. Now freely accessible on
the Internet are millions of records from the Library, including its entire card catalog;
THOMAS, a congressional database; major exhibitions with text and images; and
hundreds of thousands of images from the Library’s incomparable map, photographic,
manuscript and film collections. The Uniform Resource Locator (URL) for the Library’s
home page is http://www.loc.gov/.

A How is the Library using new technologies?

B How does Congress use the Library?
C What are the top priorities of the Library at this time?
D Who is in charge of the Library of Congress?
E What is the Library of Congress?
F When was the Library built?
G What is the National Digital Library?
H How many visitors does the Library serve?
I How does the Congress use the Library?

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The Collections
The enormous size and variety of its collections make the Library of Congress the
largest in the world. The collections are comprehensive in scope, including research
materials in more than 450 languages and many media.

The growth of the collections is relentless. Materials come to the Library through an
acquisitions program that extends throughout the world and includes over 15,000
agreements with foreign governments and research institutions for the exchange of
research materials; gift; purchases; transfers from other U.S. government agencies;
copyright deposits. Each day about 31,000 items arrive at the Library; approximately
7,000 of these items will become part of the permanent collections. The Library,
however, defers to the National Library of Medicine and the National Agricultural Library
for intensive collecting in the fields of clinical medicine and technical agriculture,
respectively.

In 1992, the Library acquired its 100 millionth item. The collections now include
approximately 15 million books, 39 million manuscripts, 13 million photographs, 4 million
maps, more than 3.5 million pieces of music, and more than half a million motion
pictures. The Library’s collection of more than 5,600 incunabula (books printed before
1500) is the largest in the western hemisphere and its collections of maps, atlases,
newspapers, music, motion pictures, photographs, and microforms are probably the
largest in the world. In addition, the Library holds newspapers, prints, posters, drawings,
talking books, technical reports, videotapes and disks, computer programs, and other
audio, visual, and print materials.

The collections are especially strong in American history, politics, and literature; music;
geography; law and particularly foreign law; economics, genealogy and U.S. local
history; U.S. public documents; publications of learned societies from around the world;
the history of science; libraries and librarianship; and bibliography in all subjects. In
addition to the personal papers of American presidents from Washington through
Coolidge, the Library’s manuscript holdings include the papers of eminent figures,
mostly American, in government, the arts, and the sciences.

One would expect the Library of Congress to be strong in Americana, but many of its
foreign collections also are exceptional. Foreign newspapers and gazettes are a special
strength; for example, the Library acquires 14 newspapers from Cuba, 20 from
Romania, and 11 from Thailand. Moreover, approximately two thirds of the books in its
collections are in languages other than English. Its Chinese, Russian, Japanese,
Korean, and Polish collections are the largest outside of those countries, and the Arabic
collections are the largest outside of Egypt. Its collection of Luso-Hispanic materials is
the largest in the world.

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The Library’s role as a copyright depository has contributed to the popular belief that it
contains one copy of every book published in the United States. It does not. Its
collections are the most comprehensive in the country, but it is not a library of record in
the legal sense; it is not required to retain all copyright deposits and, except for the
period 1870-1909, it has never attempted to do so.

Reading Comprehension
1. When was the Library of Congress founded?

2. Who is the Librarian of Congress appointed by?

3. What does Congressional Research Service supply Congress with?

4. What are the top priorities of the Library of Congress?

5. How many patrons and visitors does the Library serve every year?

6. What does NDL stand for and what program has it undertaken?

7. What makes 1992 a landmark for the Library of Congress?

8. What does the term incunabula mean?

9. What does the term Americana mean?

10. What do the collections include besides printed books?

Exercises
A Fill in the blanks with the prepositions below

in into of through
in of of through
in of of

The sources 1_____ the Library 2_____ Congress, unique 3_____ scope and size, are
organized 4_____ two major categories: the general or classified book and pamphlet
collections, which are accessible 5_____ the Library’s cataloguing and retrieval system
6_____ the general reading rooms; and the special format, language, and subject

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collections, which are made available 7_____ a variety 8_____ cataloguing and
reference tools 9_____ specialized reading rooms, including a machine-readable
collections reading room. Copyright deposits constitute the core 10_____ the general
collections and many 11_____ the special collections, particularly the map, motion
picture, music, photograph, and print collections.

B Match the words below with their synonyms

1. complicated _______________ authorize

2. comprise _______________ complex
3. confirm _______________ include
4. exceptional _______________ lasting
5. initiative _______________ mostly
6. particularly _______________ outstanding
7. permanent _______________ persistent
8. relentless _______________ project, scheme
9. sustain _______________ prejudiced
10. biased _______________ withstand

Vocabulary
accessible προσβάσιμος
adjacent γειτονικός, παρακείμενος
agricultural γεωπονικός, γεωργικός
annual ετήσιος
appoint διορίζω
approximately κατά προσέγγιση = about
be in charge of είμαι υπεύθυνος για
Capitol Καπιτώλιο
charge χρέωση
comparative συγκριτικός
confirm επιβεβαιώνω, εγκρίνω
congress κογκρέσο, συνέδριο
constitute αποτελώ, αποτελούμαι
copyright δικαίωμα πνευματικής ιδιοκτησίας

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core πυρήνας
creativity δημιουργικότητα
defer υποκύπτω, υποχωρώ
digital ψηφιακός
eminent εξέχων
enormous πελώριος = huge, vast, great
entire ολόκληρος = complete
escort συνοδεύω = accompany
exhibition έκθεση
expand επεκτείνω
extend εκτείνω, εκτείνομαι
file φάκελος, ντοσιέ, αρχειοθετώ, ταξινομώ, καταθέτω
format σχήμα, μορφή
found ιδρύω, χτίζω, θεμελιώνω
founding θεμελίωση
gain access αποκτώ πρόσβαση
gazette εφημερίδα της κυβέρνησης
highlight τονίζω = emphasize, stress
house (v.) στεγάζω
ideal ιδανικός
incomparable ασύγκριτος, απαράμιλλος
incumbent κάτοχος αξιώματος
initiative πρωτοβουλία
interpretive επεξηγηματικός, ερμηνευτικός
item αντικείμενο = object, piece
legal sense νομική έννοια
means μέσο ή μέσα = medium, media
memorial μνημείο
pamphlet φυλλάδιο = booklet, leaflet
particularly ιδιαίτερα
permanent μόνιμος ≠ temporary
preserve διατηρώ
priority προτεραιότητα
relentless άκαμπτος, αμείλικτος
respectively αντίστοιχα
retain διατηρώ, (κατα)κρατώ = keep, hold
retrieval ανάκτηση
retrieve ανακτώ
scholar λόγιος, μορφωμένος
scope πεδίο, σφαίρα
secure εξασφαλίζω, διασφαλίζω
Senate γερουσία
staff προσωπικό / επανδρώνω, στελεχώνω
sustain διατηρώ, δυναμώνω
swear ορκίζομαι (αλλά και βρίζω)
unbiased αμερόληπτος

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unique μοναδικός
universal παγκόσμιος, καθολικός
variety ποικιλία
version εκδοχή
vote ψήφος
wellbeing ευημερία, ευεξία

Q. What does a library book wear whenever it leaves the building?

A. A pager.

Q. What is a book's favorite food?

A. A bookworm.

Q. Why did the librarian slip and fall on the library floor?
A. Because she was in the non-friction section.

Q. What did the detective do when he didn't believe the librarian's story?
A. He booked her!

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UNIT 4
The National Library of Greece

The foundation of the National Library of Greece is related to the first Governor of the
independent Greek nation, Ioannis Kapodistrias. The Library was founded on the island
of Aegina, the first capital of Greece, as part of a large orphanage in 1829. The
orphanage comprised the Central School, the National Museum, the National Printing
House, and a Deposit of Books. The latter developed into a Public Library by decree in
1832. In 1834, the library was relocated in Athens where it functioned as the first public
library of Greece. In 1838, one year after the foundation of the National University of
Athens, the university’s library was founded and enriched through donations and grants
of the Greek people and various philhellenes. In 1842, the two libraries were joined
together administratively and were installed in the new building of the University of
Athens. In 1866 the two libraries were merged by royal decree into a single library, the
National Library of Greece. The National Library of Greece was housed in the University
of Athens premises from 1842 to 1903, when it was moved to a new building in which it
is still located.

The building of the National Library of Greece, entirely in marble, was designed by the
Danish architect T. Hansen and built under the supervision of Ernst Ziller. The building
of the National Library of Greece together with those of the National University of
Athens and the Academy of Athens constitute, according to their architect T. Hansen,
the “Athenian Trilogy.”

The National Library of Greece is organized, according to an old law of 1943 which is
still valid, as follows:

• Department of Cataloging, to which the Office of the National Bibliography

belongs,
• Department of Acquisition, to which the Office of ISBN, ISSN AND ISMN
belongs,
• Department of Manuscripts,
• Department of Reading Rooms,
• Department of Secretariat,
• Department of Automation and Documentation.

Apart from the aforementioned departments, a Laboratory of Conservation and

Microfilming has been established.

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Collections
A legal deposit system ensures the fullest possible collection of publications in Greece.
The collections consist of about 1 million titles and more than 1.5 million volumes of
books, newspapers, serials, maps, etc. Among its holdings there are 149 incunabula,
which is the largest such collection in Greece; a rich collection of 4,500 manuscripts;
archives of eminent figures; etc. There is also a collection of books, newspapers and
manuscripts on microfilm.

The collections of the National Library of Greece are classified according to an old
classification system, the Hallische System. Cataloging is based on the Anglo-American
Cataloging Rules, 2nd ed. Authority files, subject headings, personal names, etc., are
based on the Library of Congress Subject Headings. UNIMARC is used as the internal
and exchange bibliographic and authorities format. The Dewy Decimal Classification
system is employed for the needs of the Greek National Bibliography.

Comprehension Questions
State whether the following statements are true or false.

1. The National Library of Greece was founded by Ioannis Kapodistrias on the

island of Aegean.
2. The building which houses the National Library of Greece was designed by Ernst
Ziller.
3. The Dewy Decimal Classification system is used for the needs of the Greek
National Bibliography.
4. Cataloging is based on the Anglo-American Cataloging Rules.

Acquisition of Basic Library Materials

This depends on the type of library, on funds available, and on the policy of the library.
Public libraries are faced with the problem that they must service a wide diversity of
demands. Academic libraries service a more restricted area of users, so they must have
in the collection the basic textbooks on their curriculum subjects, and provide
postgraduates and staff with wide-ranging source material for research.

When the library grows, selection committees are usually formed. In a school system, a
committee composed of librarians and teachers makes up lists of recommended items.

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Academic libraries cannot handle the problem so easily since academic institutions
have very limited budgets. Usually a specific amount of money is allocated to each
department, and departmental funds are supervised by one faculty member.

Recently libraries have begun to recognize the need for policy on book selection—not
just to cover the usual questions of who is to supply, how many copies of each title are
to be bought and where they are to be placed, but also to provide guidelines on the
kinds of materials to be bought. It would not be unreasonable to claim that libraries are
selecting from a pre-selected range of books, each of which has largely justified its
presence by its expected level of sales. Most of these books are also based on the
traditional values and culture of our society.

Comprehension questions
1. What does stock selection depend on?
2. What considerations must academic libraries take into account when selecting
materials?
3. How are teachers involved in the selection of library materials in a school
system?
4. What should book selection policy accomplish?

Exercises
A Fill in the blanks with the words given

acquire face documentation merged

allocate faculty function
claimed headings justify

1. Bridges perform the _________________ of providing access across water.

2. He was too old to_________________ up to the responsibilities of his position.
3. Historical _________________ can be classified as either ancient documents or
official public documents.
4. I managed to _________________ all the books I needed.
5. In past years we didn’t _________________ enough funds to maintenance.
6. Search engines consider_________________, page titles, bold and linked text to
be more important.
7. The Prime Minister_________________ that he was concerned about the
economy.

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 8. The situation was serious enough to _________________ further investigation.
9. The two institutions _________________ into a single entity on 1 July 2003.
10. There were then no tenured women on the _________________.

B Give the abstract and object or person nouns of the verbs below
VERB ABSTRACT NOUN OBJECT or PERSON
1. administer
2. archive
3. claim
4. commit
5. employ
6. found
7. govern
8. guide
9. handle
10. supply

Vocabulary
acquisition απόκτηση
administratively διοικητικά
allocate κατανέμω, αναθέτω
apart from εκτός από = except
archives αρχεία, έγγραφα
budget προϋπολογισμός
capital πρωτεύουσα
claim ισχυρίζομαι, διεκδικώ, αξιώνω = support
committee επιτροπή
conservation συντήρηση = preservation
consideration μελέτη, ζήτημα που πρέπει να ληφθεί υπ’ όψη
constitute αποτελώ = consist of
decree διάταγμα
diversity ποικιλομορφία = variety
documentation τεκμηρίωση
employ απασχολώ, χρησιμοποιώ = use, utilize
enrich εμπλουτίζω
ensure διασφαλίζω
expect αναμένω
face αντιμετωπίζω

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faculty πανεπιστημιακή σχολή, εκπαιδευτικό προσωπικό
foundation ίδρυση
function λειτουργία = operation
fund χρηματικό ποσό
governor κυβερνήτης
guidelines οδηγίες, κατευθυντήριες γραμμές
handle χειρίζομαι
heading επικεφαλίδα
independent ανεξάρτητος
install εγκαθιστώ, εγκαθιδρύω
internal εσωτερικός ≠ external
justify αιτιολογώ, δικαιολογώ
locate τοποθετώ
marble μάρμαρο
merge συγχωνεύω
orphanage ορφανοτροφείο
policy πολιτική
printing house τυπογραφείο
range κυμαίνομαι, φάσμα, πεδίο, γκάμα = spectrum
recommend συστήνω
restricted περιορισμένος = unlimited
subject θέμα
supply προμηθεύω
unreasonable παράλογος = illogical
valid έγκυρος, εν ισχύ = invalid

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UNIT 5
Cataloging

Cataloging is the process of preparing a bibliography record by describing a work and

assigning it a call number. The purpose of cataloging is to assist in communicating to
library users the library’s holdings and the location of each item.

 Descriptive cataloging establishes an item’s identity through describing it,

determining its “main entry”, and selecting “add entries” for it.
 Subject cataloging consists of assigning “subject headings” and a unique “call
number.”

The Catalog
The library catalog, the main product of the cataloging process, is the single most
important reference tool in a library. A catalog must possess certain qualities:

1. It should be flexible. Libraries constantly add and delete materials and the
catalog should reflect these changes. Both the card catalog and the online
computer catalog are very flexible forms of catalog.
2. The entries or access points in a catalog must be easy to find.
3. A catalog should be easy to produce and relatively inexpensive to maintain.

The card catalog was developed in its modern form in the last part of the 19th century.
It has flexibility, it is relatively easy to use, maintenance usually consists mostly of
adding and removing cards, making references, and maintaining consistency of names
and subject headings.

An online public access catalog (often abbreviated as OPAC or simply library catalog)
is an online database of materials held by a library or group of libraries. Information is
stored in computer memory and displayed on a television screen. Some of the
advantages of an online catalog are that it is easily updated and it can easily provide
cross-reference for authors and subjects. Among the disadvantages we must include
the fact that the equipment can be expensive and beyond the means of some libraries;
failure of the equipment or loss of electricity will mean no access to the collection via
catalog; library staff may have to receive extensive retraining.

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Cataloging terminology

Access point An entry in a library catalog that will help a user locate a particular
item. It refers to the main entry, added entries, and subject entries.
Author The person chiefly responsible for the intellectual or artistic content
of a work.
Call number The notation used to identify and locate a particular work. The
notation consists of a classification number and book number.
Entry A record of an item in a catalog.
Main entry A full catalog entry giving all the information necessary for
identifying a work. The main entry includes the tracings for all other
entries. It is usually an author entry.
Subject entry An entry or access point in a catalog under a subject heading.
Subject heading A work, a name, phrase, or acronym describing the subject of a
work.
Tracing s The record, usually on the main entry, of all additional entries for a
work in a catalog.

Exercises
A Re-read the passage and find words which approximately mean:

1. giving _______________ 11. shortened _______________

2. help, aid (v.) _______________ 12. presented _______________
3. creates _______________ 13. monitor (n.) _______________
4. own, have _______________ 14. renewed _______________
5. characteristics ______________ 15. writer _______________
6. continually _______________ 16. breakdown _______________
7. mirror (v.) _______________ 17. through _______________
8. fairly, quite _______________ 18. personnel _______________
9. keep up _______________ 19. information _______________
10. uniformity _______________ 20. tagging _______________

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B After studying the catalog card below, answer the questions which follow

1. What is the author’s first name?

2. Who is the book’s publisher?

3. What literary genre does the book belong to?

4. What’s the title of the book?

5. Where is the plot set?

6. How long is the book?

7. Would you take this book to read during your summer vacation? Why? Why not?

C Match the words to make collocations

1. additional __________ cataloging

2. call __________ coverage
3. comprehensive __________ entries
4. cross __________ entry
5. descriptive __________ holdings
6. library __________ number
7. main __________ reference
8. retrieval __________ system

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D Use the words below to fill in the blanks

assistance comprised personal relations staff

assistant consisted personnel relationship stuff

1. __________________ care involves looking after your body and appearance.

2. A personal __________________ is a person who does office work and
administrative work for someone. The abbreviation PA is also used.
3. Breakfast _________________ of cereal, milk, and fruit.
4. Greece has established full diplomatic ________________ with Israel.
5. His work as a consultant _________________ in advising foreign companies on
local taxation.
6. I'd like some coffee, and I don't object to the powdered _________________ if
it's all you've got.
7. Many employers seek diversity in their __________________.
8. The bank has different schemes offering financial ________________ to
employers.
9. We had been together for two years, but both of us felt the _________________
wasn't really going anywhere.
10. Women __________________ 44% of the hospital staff.

Vocabulary
abbreviate συντομεύω, συντέμνω, βραχύνω = shorten
acronym αρκτικόλεξο
assign αναθέτω, δίνω, εκχωρώ
assist βοηθώ = help, aid
author συγγραφέας
beyond πέραν
consistency συνέπεια, σταθερότητα = uniformity
constantly σταθερά
cross reference διασταύρωση αναφορών, στοιχείων, πληροφοριών
delete αφαιρώ, σβήνω = remove ≠ add
display παρουσιάζω. δείχνω, απεικονίζω
entry καταχώρηση, λήμμα, είσοδος, εγγραφή
failure αποτυχία, βλάβη = breakdown
heading επικεφαλίδα
locate εντοπίζω, εγκαθιστώ = find

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notation σημειογραφία
possess κατέχω
record καταχώρηση, καταχωρώ, ρεκόρ
relatively σχετικά
retrain επανεκπαιδεύω
retrieval ανάκτηση
screen οθόνη
tracings «αχνάρια»
uniform ομοιόμορφος
unique μοναδικός
update ενημερώνω, ανανεώνω

Why do authors always get good marks on tests?

They know how to copy-right.

What did the book called “Chills” say to the other book?
“I feel chills running down my spine!”

What do the library computers like to eat for snacks?

Chips.

What do you get when you cross an elephant with a computer?

A lot of memory.

How do librarians file melted marshmallows?

According to the Gooey Decimal System.

A man walks into library and asks the assistant: Do you have any books on suicide?”
'No chance', says the librarian, 'You won’t bring it back!'
How many catalogers does it take to screw in a light bulb?
Just one, but they have to wait to see how LC does it first.

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UNIT 6
Cataloging Rules
Cataloging rules give guidance to catalogers and provide consistency in cataloging
practices within a library and among different libraries.

AACR2 (Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules, Second Edition) is the latest cataloging

code used by most American libraries. The Library of Congress officially adopted it in
January 1981. The format and order of information required by AACR2 is based on the
International Standard Bibliographic Description (ISBD). The ISBD is a set of rules
produced by the International Federation of Library Associations and Institutions (IFLA)
to create a bibliographic description in a standard, human-readable form, especially for
use in a bibliography or a library catalog.

Technical reading

“Reading a work technically” consists of examining certain parts of it to obtain the

information needed for describing it and assigning it its subject headings and a
classification number. It is neither possible nor necessary to completely read the book
being cataloged.

Technical reading can be separated into two steps. The first provides information for
descriptive cataloging and the second step provides information for subject cataloging.

Descriptive cataloging consists of describing the physical details of a work and

establishing its main entry. Much of the information needed for descriptive cataloging is
found on the “title page” and the “verso” of the title page.

The second element of descriptive cataloging consists in selecting the added entries for
a work. The main entry and added entries, also called access points, are the entries in a
catalog where an item can be located.

The main entry for a translated work is the same as for the original work. The main entry
is not the translator. The author is the person responsible for the content of the work,
regardless of the language of the text. A translator may be creative but is not
responsible for the intellectual content of the work.

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Cataloging Terms
Access Point -- Those portions of a bibliographic record under which a user can search for an
item in that catalog. Within an automated system, virtually any portion of a library catalog
record can conceivably be used as an access point, or search term.
Added Entry -- An entry, additional to the main entry, by which an item is represented in a
catalog. (e.g. name added entry, title added entry).
Authority Control -- Maintenance of established headings, both within an authority file and
within bibliographic files including card catalogs. Basically, it consists of establishing one
standard form of a name or word under which library patrons should search within a catalog.
Also, it involves the creation of cross-reference names or terms.
Authority File -- A list of authorized headings, documentation, and cross references.
Bibliographic Utilities -- Common term for OCLC, RLIN, and WLN, the three major shared
technical processing systems.
Binder’s Title – The title imprinted on the binding of a book.
Blurb – A description of the contents of a book prepared by the publisher, which may also give
information about the author.
Caption Title -- A title given at the beginning of the first page of the text.
Copyright – The exclusive right granted by a government to publish a work for a specific
number of years.
Copyright Date – The date a copyright date is issued, usually found on the verso of title
page.
Cover Title – The title printed on the cover of a book.
Edition -- All copies produced from essentially the same type image and issued by the same
entity.
Enumeration -- Numbering, as in serial volume and issue numbering.
Field -- A MARC field is one or more elements of data that are identified by a MARC tag.
Typically, data elements are grouped together within fields according to groupings used within
traditional catalog records. For example, the place of publication, the publisher name, and the
date of publication are all included as part of the MARC field tagged 260.
Impression -- All copies of an edition of a book, etc. produced at one time.
Imprint -- The 260 field of a MARC record. Contains information on place of publication,
publisher, and date of publication.
Introduction – A preliminary part of a book that tells what the book is about and how the author
intends to cover the subject.
Joint Author -- A person who collaborates with one or more other persons to produce a work.
Leaf -- Each leaf consists of two pages of a book, one on each side, either or both of which may
be blank.

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Main Entry -- The entry chosen for a bibliographic record, whether it be a personal or corporate
name, or the title of a composite work, a collection, an anonymous work, a periodical or serial,
or a uniform title.
MARC -- Machine-Readable Cataloging. A general term covering many different formats in
many countries.
Monograph -- A nonserial item (i.e. an item complete in either one part, or in a finite number of
separate parts).
Plate -- A leaf containing illustrative matter, with or without text, that is not numbered
consecutively with the main leaves or pages of the book.
Preface – A section preceding the body of a book which may state the origin, purpose,
and scope of the work.
Preliminaries -- The title page, verso of the title page, any pages preceding the title page, and
the cover.
Printer – A person or firm that prints books.
Publisher – A person or firm that issues and distributes a work.
Recto – The right-hand page in an open book, usually odd-numbered.
Reprint -- 1. A new printing of an item made from the original type image. The reprint may
reproduce the original exactly, or it may contain minor, but well-defined variations. 2. A new
edition with substantially unchanged text.
Running Title -- A title that is repeated at the head or foot of each page.
Serial -- A publication in any medium issued in successive parts bearing numeric or
chronological designations and intended to be continued indefinitely. Serials include
periodicals, newspapers, annuals, etc.
Series -- A group of separate works, usually issued in succession and usually related to one
another in subject or form, issued by the same publisher in uniform style.
Sine Loco (s.l.) -- Place of publication is unknown.
Sine nomine (s.n.) -- Publisher is unknown.
Standard Number -- The ISSN, ISBN, ISN, or any other internationally agreed upon number
that identifies an item uniquely.
Statement of Responsibility – It identifies the persons or corporate bodies responsible for the
intellectual or artistic content of the item.
Title Page -- A page at the beginning of the item bearing the title and usually, though not
necessarily, the statement of responsibility and the data relating to publication.
Verso -- The left-hand page of a book, usually even-numbered. The side of a printed sheet
intended to be read second.

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Exercises
A Use the words given to fill in the blanks

line order queue sequence serial series

1. I filed the cards in alphabetical _______________.

2. The explosion was the latest in a _______________ of accidents.
3. There was an 'eastern bloc' feeling while we were waiting in the
_______________ for our train tickets.
4. A row of closely spaced dots will look like a continuous _______________.
5. The content of the program should follow a logical _______________.
6. A(n)_______________is a publication , usually regularly issued and
consecutively numbered.

B ed or ing? (make any necessary spelling changes)

1. AACR2 is the latest cataloging code use____ by most American libraries.

2. The format and order of information require____ by AACR2 is base_____ on the
ISBD.
3. A serial is publication in any medium issue_____ in successive parts bear____
numeric or chronological designations and intend____ to be continue____
indefinitely.
4. Main entry is a full catalog entry give____ all the information necessary for
identify____ a work.
5. A reprint is a new print____ of an item made from the original type image.
6. MARC, which stands for Machine-Readable Catalog____, is a general term
cover____ many different formats in many countries.
7. The term preliminaries includes the title page, verso of the title page, any
pages precede____ the title page, and the cover.
8. Run____ title is a title that is repeat____ at the head or foot of each page.
9. The second element of descriptive cataloging consists in select____ the
add____ entries for a work.
10. Binder’s title is the title imprint____ on the bind____ of a book.

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 11. Maintenance of a card catalog usually consists mostly of add____ and
remove____ cards, make____ references, and maintain____ consistency of
names and subject head____.
12. Subject heading is a work, a name, phrase, or acronym describe____ the
subject of a work.
13. The purpose of cataloging is to assist in communicate____ to library users the
library’s hold____ and the location of each item.
14. The Lend____ Division is the largest library in the world devote____ to
interlend____.

C Give the derivatives of the words below

VERB NOUN(S) ADJECTIVE

assign

bind

contain

consist

create

distribute

distribute

identify

illustrate

index

publish

refer

succeed

separate

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Vocabulary
adopt υιοθετώ, ακολουθώ
annual ετήσια έκδοση βιβλίου ή περιοδικού εντύπου με τον ίδιο τίτλο αλλά
διαφορετικό περιεχόμενο
assign αναθέτω, δίνω, καθορίζω
bear φέρω
binding δέσιμο (βιβλίου)
blurb διαφήμιση βιβλίου στο πίσω εξώφυλλο συνήθως
cataloger καταλογογράφος, ταξινομών
collaborate συνεργώ, συνεργάζομαι = cooperate
composite σύνθετος
consecutive διαδοχικός = successive
consistency συνέπεια
content περιεχόμενο
corporate εταιρικός
creative δημιουργικός
descriptive περιγραφικός
designation σήμανση, ονομασία, περιγραφή
distribute διανέμω, κατανέμω, μοιράζω
e.g. (exempli gratia) παραδείγματος χάρη στα Λατινικά = for example
element στοιχείο
entity οντότητα
enumerate αριθμώ, απαριθμώ = number
even number άρτιος, ζυγός αριθμός ≠ odd
exclusive αποκλειστικός
finite περιορισμένος, πεπερασμένος ≠ infinite
format σχήμα, μορφή
grant δίνω, χαρίζω
i.e. (id est) δηλαδή στα Λατινικά = that is, in other words
illustrative επεξηγηματικός, διευκρινιστικός = explanatory
impress αποτυπώνω, εντυπωσιάζω
impression εκτύπωση
imprint τυπώνω, αποτυπώνω
index δείκτης, καταλογογράφω
indices πληθυντικός του index
intellectual πνευματικός, διανοητικός
intend σκοπεύω
issue εκδίδω, δίνω = publish
odd number περιττός, μονός αριθμός ≠ even
order σειρά
origin καταγωγή, προέλευση
original πρωτότυπος, αρχικός
patron χρήστης, πελάτης = user
precede προηγούμαι
preliminary προκαταρκτικός

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printer τυπογράφος, εκτυπωτής
reference αναφορά
regardless ασχέτως
responsible υπεύθυνος
scope εύρος, σκοπιά, άποψη = extent, range, view
section τμήμα, τομέας, κλάδος
separate χωρίζω, ξεχωριστός = distinct
sheet φύλλο = leaf
state δηλώνω = declare
statement δήλωση
substantial ουσιαστικός, σημαντικός = significant
succession διαδοχή
successive διαδοχικός
text κείμενο
translation μετάφραση
unique μοναδικός
utility (κοινωφελής) υπηρεσία
verso αριστερή σελίδα
virtually σχεδόν = almost

Q. How many catalogers does it take to screw in a light bulb?

A. Just one, but she has to wait to see how the Library of Congress does it.

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UNIT 7
Subject Cataloging
Subject cataloging consists of two components: selection of subject headings and
assignment of a classification number. A subject entry in a catalog creates a point of
access for a work in addition to the main entry and any other entries. As many subject
headings as necessary may be assigned to describe the contents of a work but usually
a maximum of four are assigned to any one work.

Basic concepts of subject heading selection

A subject heading can be the name, group, place, object or work, a phrase or an
acronym that identifies the subject of a work. A book about a person is assigned a
subject heading in the form of a personal name. In a card catalog, the subject entry is
usually typed at the top of a card in capital letters.

The basic principles used to develop standard lists of subject headings are:

 The reader as focus – Subject headings should be selected with the catalog
user in mind.
 Unity – All material on a subject should be brought together in a catalog under
the same subject entry.
 Usage – The subject heading must represent common modern usage so as not
to confuse the catalog user.
 Specificity – The subject headings selected for a work should be specific,
unambiguous, and cover only the topic of the work
Subject headings can be made more specific and useful by adding a subdivision:

 Topical subdivision – It is used to limit the scope of a subject heading to a more

specific topic.
 Form subdivision – Information on a subject may be in a special format or
arrangement.
 Geographic subdivisions – They limit the scope of a subject heading to a
geographical or political area.
 Period or chronological subdivisions – Most often used in history, literature
and art.
Most libraries use the Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) Standard List. It is
the only subject headings list accepted as the worldwide standard. LCSH is the most
comprehensive and scholarly list of subject headings used in print in the world. It is the
one tool no librarian should be without as it provides an alphabetical list of all subject

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headings, cross-references and subdivisions in verified status in the LC subject
authority file. It includes genre/form headings, and children's subject headings. It is
available in both book format, with supplements and annual accumulations, and as a
web-based subscription service.

Assignment of a classification number

The second element of subject cataloging is the assignment of a classification number.

First, classification arranges a collection in a known order which facilitates use of the
collection. Second, classification places materials nearby. Third, classification allows
materials to be reshelved in their proper locations. The importance of classification
varies among libraries, depending on the function, the size of the collection, and the
components of the collection.

Below you see an overview of the Dewy Decimal System (DDC) used by the University
Library of University of Illinois at Urbana-Champaign.

000 Generalities
100 Philosophy & psychology
200 Religion
300 Social sciences
400 Language
500 Natural sciences & mathematics
600 Technology (Applied sciences)
700 The arts
800 Literature & rhetoric
900 Geography & history

British National Bibliography

But before you classify a book you must first be aware of its existence. In the UK, the
British National Bibliography (BNB) and the Times Literary Supplement (TLS) are the
two major sources providing information on new books.

BNB is the single most comprehensive listing of UK titles available. All UK and Irish
publishers are obliged by law to send a copy of all new publications, including serial
titles to the Legal Deposit office of the British Library. The material is cataloged by
experienced staff within the British Library using the AACR2, subject indexed using
DDC system.

BNB also contains details of forthcoming books. Under the Cataloging-In-Publication

(CIP) program, information on new titles appears between six and eight weeks ahead of
the announced publication date.

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Times Literary Supplement

Since 1902, the TLS has scrutinized, dissected, applauded, and occasionally
disparaged, the work of the twentieth century’s leading writers and thinkers. Many of
those same writers and thinkers have been notable contributors to the paper – from T.
S. Eliot and Virginia Woolf in the 1920s to Gore Vidal and Joyce Carol Oates today. In
T.S. Elliot’s words, “The Literary Supplement provides a unique record of developments
in literature, politics, scholarship and the arts.” According to Gustave Flaubert, “The TLS
is the only literary weekly journal to offer comprehensive coverage in several languages
on current literature, theatre, opera and film. The TLS’s authority is acknowledged
worldwide and its approach is worldwide, too.”

Exercises
A Fill in the blanks with appropriate words

1. T - - - - is another name for the subject or theme of a discourse or one of its

parts.
2. An a - - - - - - is a contribution written for publication in a journal, magazine, or
newspaper.
3. Someone who writes articles for a magazine or newspaper is called a
c----------.
4. A j - - - - - - is a periodical which contains signed scholarly articles.
5. A book i - - - - points to where information can be found in the book.
6. P - - - - - - - - refers to an adopted rule or method for application in action.
7. A handbook, or m - - - - - , is a book of rules or guidelines.
8. A part added to a book, document, etc., to provide additional information, is
called s - - - - - - - - - .
9. One meaning of p - - - - - - - - - - is the act of printing something, such as an
article or photograph, in a magazine, newspaper, etc.
10. With the term l - - - - - - - - - we usually mean written works, such as poems,
plays, novels, that are considered to be very good and to have lasting
importance.
B Give the nouns of the words below (use a dictionary if needed) and then write
sentences using them

1. announce

2. applaud

3. assign

4. confuse

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 5. cover

6. exist

7. facilitate

8. oblige

9. publish

10. verify

Vocabulary
acknowledge αναγνωρίζω = recognize
announce ανακοινώνω
applaud επευφημώ, εγκωμιάζω
approach προσέγγιση
assignment ανάθεση
authority επιρροή
component μέρος, στοιχείο =element
confuse συγχέω
contribute συνεισφέρω
contributor συνεργάτης
coverage κάλυψη
current τρέχων, σύγχρονος = modern
decimal δεκαδικός
discourse διάλεξη, έκθεση,
disparage δυσφημώ, κάνω σκληρή κριτική, “θάβω” = criticize
dissect διαμελίζω, αναλύω κομμάτι-κομμάτι
existence ύπαρξη
facilitate διευκολύνω ≠ impede
forthcoming υπό έκδοση, προσεχής
index ευρετήριο, δείκτης
legal νόμιμος, νομικός
literary λογοτεχνικός
matter περιεχόμενο βιβλίου, θέμα = topic, theme
nearby δίπλα, κοντά
notable σημαντικός, αξιοσημείωτος, αξιόλογος = famous, prominent
oblige υποχρεώνω ≠ request
occasionally περιστασιακά ≠ frequently, rarely
overview επισκόπηση = summary
principle αρχή = rule
proper κατάλληλος, σωστός = suitable, appropriate

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publication δημοσίευση
reshelve επανατοποθετώ σε ράφια
scholarly ακαδημαϊκός, λόγιος, μορφωμένος
scholarship ευρυμάθεια, λογιότητα / υποτροφία
scrutinize εξετάζω λεπτομερώς, ερευνώ σε βάθος
specificity ειδικότητα
subdivision υποδιαίρεση
supplement παράρτημα, συμπλήρωμα
topic θέμα
unambiguous σαφής, μη διφορούμενος
unity ενότητα
usage χρήση, πρακτική
verify επαληθεύω
worldwide παγκόσμιος, καθολικός = universal ≠local

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UNIT 8

Writing a book review

A book review is both a description and an evaluation of a book. It should focus on the
book's purpose, contents, and authority.

Scan the Book's Preliminaries

Before beginning to read, consider the following:

1. Title - What does it suggest?

2. Preface - Provides important information on the author's purpose in writing the
book and will help you to determine the success of the work.
3. Table of Contents - Tells you how the book is organized and will aid in
determining the author's main ideas and how they are developed -
chronologically, topically, etc.

Read the Text

Record impressions as you read and note effective passages for quoting. Keep these
questions in mind:

1. What is the general field or genre, and how does the book fit into it? (Use
outside sources to familiarize yourself with the field, if necessary.)
2. From what point of view is the work written?
3. What is the author's style? Is it formal or informal? Does it suit the intended
audience? If a work of fiction, what literary devices does the author use?
4. Are concepts clearly defined? How well are the author's ideas developed? What
areas are covered/not covered? Why? This helps to establish the
book's authority.
5. If a work of fiction, make notes on such elements as character, plot,
and setting, and how they relate to the theme of the book. How does the author
delineate his characters? How do they develop? What is the plot structure?
6. How accurate is the information in the book? Check outside sources if
necessary.
7. If relevant, make note of the book's format - layout, binding, typography, etc. Are
there maps, illustrations? Do they aid understanding?
8. Check the back matter. Is the index accurate? What sources did the author use
- primary or secondary? How does he make use of them? Make note of important
omissions.

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 9. Finally, what has the book accomplished? Is further work needed? Compare the
book to others by this author or by others. (Use the listing in the bibliography.)

Consult Additional Sources

Try to find further information about the author - his/her reputation, qualifications,
influences, etc. - any information that is relevant to the book being reviewed and that
would help to establish the author's authority. Knowledge of the literary period and
of critical theories can also be helpful to your review. Your professor and/or reference
librarian will be able to suggest sources to use.

Prepare an Outline

Carefully review your notes and attempt to unify your impressions into a statement that
will describe the purpose or thesis of your review. Then, outline the arguments that
support your thesis. Your arguments should develop the thesis in a logical manner.

Write the Draft

Skim your notes again; then, using the outline as a guide and referring to the notes
when necessary, begin writing. Your book review should include the following:

1. Preliminary Information - the complete bibliographic citation for the work, i.e. title
in full, author, place, publisher, date of publication, edition statement, pages,
special features (maps, color plates, etc.), price and ISBN.
2. Introduction - Try to capture the reader's attention with your opening sentence.
The introduction should state your central thesis, and set the tone of the review.
3. Development - Develop your thesis using supporting arguments as set out in
your outline. Use description, evaluation, and if possible explanation of why the
author wrote as he/she did. Use quotations to illustrate important points or
peculiarities.
4. Conclusion - If your thesis has been well argued, the conclusion should follow
naturally. It can include a final assessment or simply restate your thesis. Do not
introduce new material at this point.

Revise the Draft

1. Allow some time to elapse before going over your review, to gain perspective.
2. Carefully read through the text, looking for clarity and coherence.
3. Correct grammar and spelling.
4. Verify quotes for proper foot-noting.

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Exercises
A Fill in the blanks with derivatives of the words in parentheses (use a
dictionary if necessary)

• The TLS is the only literary 1_______________ (week) – in fact the only journal
– to offer 2_______________ (comprehend) coverage not just of the
3_____________ (late) and most important 4_______________ (public), in every
subject, in several languages – but also current theatre, opera, 5_____________
(exhibit) and film.

• The 6_______________ (govern) has been accused of failing to develop a

7 ________________ (cohere) economic strategy.

• The service is already the 8_______________ (lead) online electronic identity

9_______________ (verify) system in the UK accessing over 30 databases real-
time.

• 10_________________ (quote) marks are a set of punctuation marks, single (‘ ’) or

double (“ ”), used either to mark the 11_________________ (begin) and end of a title or
quoted 12_______________ (pass).

B Match the term with the definition

1. argument ____ 6. layout ____

2. citation ____ 7. outline ____
3. conclusion ____ 8. scan ____
4. draft ____ 9. skim ____
5. genre ____ 10. summary ____

A. to look at all parts of something carefully in order to detect some feature

B. to look over or read something quickly, especially to find the main ideas

C. a category of artistic, musical, or literary composition characterized by a

particular style, form, or content

D. the design or arrangement of something

E. a statement or series of statements for or against something

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 F. a version of something, such as a document, that you make before you make the
final version

G. a reference or footnote to an item, such as a book or periodical, containing

information needed to locate the item

H. the last main division of a discourse, usually containing a summary of points and
a statement of opinions or decisions

I. a general description or plan showing the essential features of something but not
the detail

J. a brief statement or account of the main points of something

Vocabulary
argument επιχείρημα
assessment εκτίμηση = evaluation
attempt προσπαθώ
authority αυθεντία
capture συλλαμβάνω, τραβώ την προσοχή
citation παραπομπή
cite παραπέμπω
clarity ευκρίνεια ≠ ambiguity
coherence συνεκτικότητα = unity
conclusion συμπέρασμα
delineate σκιαγραφώ, περιγράφω
determine προσδιορίζω
draft προσχέδιο
elapse παρέρχομαι, περνώ (για χρόνο) = pass
evaluation εκτίμηση
familiarize εξοικοιώνω
footnote υποσημειώνω
formal επίσημος
gain αποκτώ, κερδίζω
genre λογοτεχνικό είδος, στυλ ή ρυθμός στις τέχνες
go over επανεξετάζω = review
impression εντύπωση
influence επιρροή
informal ανεπίσημος
layout σχέδιο, πλάνο, σελιδοποίηση = draft
omission παράλειψη
peculiarity ιδιοσυγκρασία, εκκεντρικότητα
perspective προοπτική, άποψη

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plot πλοκή, υπόθεση
point of view άποψη
qualifications προσόντα = credentials
quotation απόσπασμα, περικοπή
quote απόσπασμα, περικοπή, παραθέτω απόσπασμα
reputation φήμη
review κριτική
scan σαρώνω
set out ορίζω
setting σκηνικό, περιβάλλον, φόντο
skim διαβάζω στα πεταχτά, ξεφυλλίζω
suggest υπονοώ
unify ενοποιώ

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Librarianship Glossary

abstract - A brief summary of the points in an article.

A source that compiles, by subject, author or title articles in a selected group of
periodicals and includes a summary of each article.
access - In computer-based information retrieval, the method by which a computer
refers to records in a file, dependent upon their arrangement.
In archives, the general ability to make use of the records of a government, government
agency, or other corporate body.
access points - Text and/or numeric terms used to search bibliographic records.
acquisitions - Materials which are purchased for library use. Activities related to
obtaining library materials by purchase, exchange, or gift, including pre-order
bibliographic searching, ordering and receiving materials, processing invoices, and the
maintenance of the necessary records related to acquisitions.
almanac - A compendium of useful data and statistics relating to countries,
personalities, events, and subjects.
analytic - A bibliographic record for a part of a publication such as a part of a book, or
an individual volume of a multi-volume work or monographic series, where each volume
has its own unique title.
Annotated bibliography - A list of works with descriptions and a brief summary or
critical statement about each.
annotation - A note accompanying an entry in a bibliography, reading list, or catalog
intended to describe, explain, or evaluate the publication referred to.
annual - A serial publication, such as a report, yearbook, or directory issued once a
year.
anthology - A collection of extracts from the works of various authors, usually in the
same genre or about the same subject. (Example: Norton Anthology of English
Literature). Sometimes a collection from the works of an individual author.
appendix - Section of a book containing supplementary materials such as tables or
maps.
archives - Public records or historical documents, or the place where such records and
documents are kept.
arrangement - The order in which information is presented in a book. Determining
arrangement contributes to the effective use of that work.

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article - A contribution written for publication in a journal, magazine, or newspaper.
atlas - A volume of maps, plates, engravings, tables, etc.
audiovisual - Information in a non-print format. Includes films, slides, audiotapes,
videocassettes, records, software. Also referred to as media.
author - Includes compilers, editors, and composers in addition to the main personal
and corporate authors who are responsible for a work.
authority file - The computerized list of subject, series, and name headings used in the
Online Catalog.
autobiography - An account of one's life, composed by one's self.
barcode number - The 14-digit number appearing beneath the barcode found on the
back on a book. Barcode numbers are used to charge, discharge, and renew books on
the online computer system.
bibliographic citations - The information which identifies a book or article. Information
for a book usually includes the author, title, publisher, and date. The citation for an
article includes the author, title of the article, title of the periodical, volume, pages, and
date.
bibliographic database - A database which indexes and contains references to the
original sources of information. It contains information about the documents in it rather
than the documents themselves.
bibliographic record - The unit of information fields (e.g. title, author, publication date,
etc.) which describe and identify a specific item in a bibliographic database.
bibliography - A list of citations or references to books or periodical articles on a
particular topic. Bibliographies can appear at the end of a book, journal, or encyclopedia
article, or in a separate publication.
bindery - Books that need repair and loose issues of journals that are combined or
bound into a single volume are sent out of the library system to a company which binds
them.
bio-bibliography - A list of works by various authors (or, occasionally, one author)
which includes brief biographical data.
biography - A book about a person written by some other person.
blurb - Advertisement found on the book jacket designed to promote the sale of the
book.
book review - An evaluation or discussion of a new book by a critic or journalist.

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bookstacks - Often called the Stacks, this multi-story section of the main Library
contains approximately 65% of the Library's collection, or 6 million volumes.
Boolean logic - Referring to logical or algebraic operations, formulated by George
Boole, involving variables with two values, such as Value 1 and Value 2; Value 1 or
Value 2; and Value 1 but not Value 2.
bound volume - Formed when issues of a periodical title are gathered to form a
hardback volume.
browse searching - Browse searching is limited to one field, such as author or subject
heading, and the computer matches the search statement exactly, so word order and
spacing are important. This is in contrast to keyword searching which may involve more
than one field, and where word order is not important. A browse search results in a list
of entries from the one field, and one may scroll through the list, either forward or
backward, as far as one wishes, potentially through all the entries in the list.
call number - A combination of numbers and letters that provide a unique description of
each item in a library collection. Items are arranged on the book shelves by call number,
so the call number is the "address" of materials on the shelf.
card catalog - A card file, arranged by author, title, and subject, listing all items owned
by a library. The Main Card Catalog contains records for every cataloged item in the
Library System.
carrel - A study area for one person.
CD-ROM (Compact Disc Read-Only Memory) - An information technology which is
used to store large databases and provides access to them via computer. These discs
look like the compact discs you'd see in a music store. Instead of storing music, they
store text. The Library has a limited number of CD-ROM as most materials are now
online.
check out or charge - To borrow books or periodicals from the library for a certain
period of time.
CIC - CIC is an acronym for the Committee on Institutional Cooperation
(http://www.cic.uiuc.edu) which is the academic consortium of the Big Ten universities
and the University of Chicago.
circulate - To allow materials to be charged out.
circulation desk - Location in each library where you check out, return or renew items,
ask about missing items, or inquire about fines.
Citation - A citation is a reference or footnote to an item (such as a book or periodical
article); a citation contains the author, title, date of publication, and any other
information needed to locate the item.

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citation index - An index consisting essentially of a list of works which have been cited
in other, later works, and a list of works from which the citations have been collected.
Used to identify subsequently published works that are related by subject to the cited
work.
class number - Top part of a call number which stands for the subject matter of the
book.
classification scheme - Classification systems which use numbers and/or letters, to
represent the subject content of materials. See also Dewey Decimal Classification
Scheme.
commands - Symbols and/or terms used to retrieve computer-stored information.
conference report - Papers generated at or for a conference; may include minutes,
transcripts, papers, and/or presentations.
connectors - Words that indicate the relationship between search terms. Also referred
to as Boolean Operators. Common connectors are: AND, OR, NOT.
contemporary materials - Information produced during the time an event occurs.
continuation - A serial publication issued less than 3 times a year, i.e. not often
enough to be called a "periodical." Usually referred to as a "contin."
controlled vocabulary - The standardization of words which may be used to search an
index, abstract or information database. There is usually a published listing or thesaurus
of preferred terms identifying the system's vocabulary. See also Thesaurus (Example:
Library of Congress Subject Headings).
copy card - A small plastic card that can be purchased and used in library
photocopiers and laser printers on campus. (However at this time they do NOT work in
Microfiche/film reader/printers). Copies made using the card are less expensive than
using cash.
corporate entry - A corporate body (company, institution, government agency, etc.)
which is listed in a cataloging record as a heading for a publication (e.g., because the
publication has no personal author).
copyright -The legal right to control the production, use, and sale of copies of a
literary, musical, or artistic work.
course reserves - Materials that instructors set aside for the students in a class to
read. These items may be borrowed for a short period and have very high fines for late
returns.
cross reference - Word or heading that directs you from one part of a book, catalog, or
index to another part.

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cumulation - An index which is formed as a result of the incorporation of successive
parts of elements. All the material is arranged in one alphabet.
current periodicals - The latest or most recent issues of journals and magazines that
the library receives.
database - A structured set of information, stored in a book, disk, computer, etc.
departmental libraries - Subject libraries located in either the Main Library or in other
buildings on campus that provide materials and services in a specialized area.
depository - A library which receives the publications of a government or official body.
Illinois is a depository for publications of the U.S. Government, the State of Illinois, the
United Nations, etc.
descriptor - A simple word or phrase used as a subject.
Dewey Decimal Classification Scheme - A method developed in the nineteenth
century by Melville Dewey to classify and shelve items by using numbers to represent
subject content. It is a highly structured arrangement of all areas of knowledge into
numbers ranging from 000 to 999.
dictionary - Source that provides word definition and correct grammatical usage.
Dictionaries may be either general or subject specific.
directory - A list of persons or organizations, systematically arranged, giving address,
affiliations, etc. for individuals and address, officers, functions, and similar data for
organizations.
dissertation - A thesis or treatise prepared as a condition for the award of a degree or
diploma.
downloading - Refers to the transfer of search results into a file on a disc or drive.
due date - The date by which borrowed books and materials should be returned.
encyclopedia - General information source that provides articles on various branches
of knowledge. Encyclopedias may be general or subject specific.
endnotes -Notes that appear at the end of a work.
entry - An item or fact that has been "entered" (placed on a list or into a catalog or
index or database). See also citation.
essay - A literary composition in which the author analyzes or interprets a subject, often
from a personal point of view.
evaluation - A critical assessment of an information source.
field - The part of a record used for a particular category of data. For example, the title
field in a database record displays the title for the record.

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fines - The amount of money which is owed by the borrower if materials are not
returned on time.
FirstSearch - OCLC's end-user online reference menu accessing several databases,
which are determined by each participating library.
folio - An oversized book, too large for normal shelving. Folio call numbers begin with
an F.; for example, F. 912 R15C (The Commercial Atlas and Marketing Guide). Folios
are generally housed in special cases in the various libraries.
footnotes - Notes (or a statement explaining the text or indicating the basis for an
assertion or the source of material quoted) that appear at the foot of a page of text.
format - The physical form in which information appears.
gazetteer - A geographical dictionary; usually includes longitude and latitude of a given
place, population, size, etc.
handbooks - General information source providing quick reference on a given subject.
Handbooks may be general or subject specific.
hits - Refers to items retrieved from a database matching criteria you set. For example,
if you do a keyword title search in the online catalog for "linguistics" and retrieve 2798
items, that can also be called 2798 'hits.'
holdings - The materials owned or held by a library.
hypertext - A document format which includes the use of specially coded terms or
images which, when selected or "clicked," connect to a linked location or file, or carry
out a command to run an application or program.
imprint - The name of the publisher, distributor, manufacturer, etc. and the place and
date of publication, distribution, manufacture, etc. of a bibliographic item.
incunabula - A book printed before 1501.
index - Points to where information can be found.
List at the end of books, encyclopedias, etc. that indicates by author, title and/or subject
the location of information within the book or encyclopedia.
Tool that arranges (by author, title, or subject) citations to articles in a selected group of
periodicals. See also bibliographic database.
Internet - The global network of computers linked together, accessible mainly via the
World Wide Web. Originally started by government and international scientists to
facilitate communication, it is now used by the public at large.

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IP address - IP stands for "Internet Protocol". An IP Address is a four part number used
to uniquely identify a particular computer on a network using the TCP/IP (Internet)
Protocol. For example, 130.126.33.246 could be an IP address.
ISBN (International Standard Book Number) - A four-part, ten-character code given a
book (a non-serial literary publication) before publication as a means of identifying it
concisely, uniquely, and unambiguously. The four parts of the ISBN are: group identifier
(e.g., national, geographic, language, or other convenient group), publisher identifier,
title identifier, and check digit.
ISSN (International Standard Serial Number) - The international numerical code that
identifies concisely, uniquely, and unambiguously a serial publication.
issue - A single uniquely numbered or dated part of a periodical or newspaper.
journal - A type of periodical which contains signed scholarly articles. Journals are
usually published by academic or association presses and include bibliographies.
Keyword - Generally, this refers to searching a database using "natural language."
keyword searching - Keyword searching results in a list of database records that
contain all the keywords entered as search terms, according to the logic of the search.
A keyword search may be performed in one index, or it may be performed in more than
one index combined.
Library of Congress Subject Headings - List of accepted subject headings used in
the Library's catalogs. Copies of LCSH are usually located near the catalogs. An online
version is also available.
magazine - A type of periodical containing popular articles which are usually shorter or
less authoritative than journal articles on the same subject.
magazine collection - A set of microfilm cartridges providing full text coverage of over
300 popular magazines from 1980 to the present. Located in the Undergraduate Library.
manual - A book of rules or guidelines; a handbook.
manuscript - A handwritten or typed composition, rather than printed. Includes groups
of personal papers which have some unifying characteristic and individual documents
which have some special importance.
MARC (Machine-readable Cataloging) - An international standard format for the
arrangement of cataloging information so that it can be stored and retrieved using
computers.
media - Films, tapes, and other audio-visual materials that require the use of special
listening or viewing equipment.
microcard - A trade name for a 3 x 5 inch sheet of opaque material bearing one or
more microimages.

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microfiche - A format; photographically reduced images reproduced on a small 4 x 6
sheets of film.
microfilm - A format; photographically reduced images of printed pages on 35mm film.
Older issues of newspapers are often microfilmed because newsprint deteriorates so
rapidly.
microform - Formats for storing photographically reduced images onto plastic film.
Microfiche and microfilm are two types of microforms. A microform reader/printer is
required to read or copy microforms.
monograph - A book. A separate treatise on a single subject or class of subjects, or on
one person, usually detailed in treatment but not extensive in scope and often
containing bibliographies.
monographic series - A monographic series is a set of books that have a number of
volumes with a definite end. An encyclopedia is a good example.
monographic set - So called because unlike a periodical, the monographic set has a
finite number of volumes. Example would be an encyclopedia.
NENG - Non-English - i.e., foreign language items.
newsletter - A serial consisting of one or two printed sheets containing news or
information of interest chiefly to a special group.
newspaper - A serial issued at stated, frequent intervals (i.e., daily, weekly, or semi-
weekly), containing news, opinions, advertisements, and other items of current, often
local, interest.
NOCIR - Non-circulating - the loan period for items which do not circulate outside a
library, such as reference works. However, items with this circulation code may still be
used within a library.
online catalog - Computerized list of materials held in a library.
online database - Computer databases. Bibliographic databases provide access by
author, title, and subject to a group of periodicals, books, or proceedings. Numeric
databases provide access to statistical information.
OPAC (Online Public Access Catalog) - A computerized catalog of books and other
items in the library.
operators - Words such as AND, OR, and NOT that are used to combine search terms
to broaden or narrow the results of a search.
overdue - Material which is not returned to the library by its due date is considered
overdue.

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oversize - Books that are too large for normal shelves; usually designated with a Q
(quarto) or F (folio) before the call number; stored in a special location.
peer review process - Method used by scholarly journals to assure the quality and
relevance of the articles they publish. When an article is submitted, the editor sends
copies to several reviewers (or "referees") who are recognized experts in the subject of
the article. Each reads the article and offers an opinion on whether it is worthy of
publication in the journal, using such criteria as soundness of investigative method,
whether the author shows adequate knowledge of research on the subject to date, and
whether the articles adds to knowledge in the field. Only if the reviewers agree that it
meets the relevant criteria will the article be published.
peer-reviewed article - A scholarly article published in a peer-reviewed journal.
peer-reviewed journal - Also called a "refereed" journal. A scholarly journal that used
the peer review process to select material for publication.
periodical - Materials published at regular intervals (at least 3 times a year) and
intended to be continued indefinitely. Examples of periodicals include magazines,
journals, and newsletters.
primary sources - Fundamental, authoritative documents relating to a subject, used in
the preparation of a later work, e.g., original record, contemporary documents, etc.
Synonymous with original sources and source material.
public domain - Material in the public domain is not copyrighted and may be used
freely for any legal purpose. Works may be in the public domain for several reasons.
For example, the copyright may have expired or the owner may have given up the
copyright. Material published by the government is not copyrighted.
publication - A book, periodical, musical score, etc. that has been "brought before the
public"; in other words, a work that has been printed and distributed.
quarto - An oversized book, being over 11.5" (29 cm.) in height or width.
recall – A request by a library to a borrower for the return of a borrowed item before the
due date.
To request a borrower to return a borrowed item before the due date.
A patron may request a recall of an item from a staff member.
record - A single document in a database. In an electronic index, a record consists of a
citation (with or without an abstract) for a single periodical article.
refereed - Said of a periodical or other serial when manuscripts are evaluated by at
least one subject specialist in addition to the editor before being accepted for
publication. (ALA Glossary, p. 188)

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reference desk - Location in each library where you can get help in using the library
and receive answers to your questions.
reference librarians - Reference librarians are specialists in the field of information
retrieval. Generally they have a Masters degree in library and information science, and
many have other graduate degrees as well. They are available at reference desks to
help you find information.
reference materials - A selection of library materials used by reference librarians and
information assistants to help people find information or do research. Reference
collections contain many sources of information, such as dictionaries, directories,
almanacs, encyclopedias, atlases, and statistical compilations. They may also have
bibliographies, indexes, and abstracts. Reference materials usually do not leave the
library.
renewal - An extension of the loan period for charged library materials. As long as no
one else requests the book, renewals are unlimited.
reprint - A new impression of an edition.
A new edition from a new setting of type for which an impression of a previous edition
has been used as copy.
A separately issued article, chapter, or other portion of a previously published larger
work, usually a reproduction of an original, but sometimes made from a new setting of
type.
reserve desk - Service point where you can go to find required course readings.
reserve materials - A selection of specific books, periodical articles and other
materials which faculty have indicated that students must read for a particular course.
These materials are usually kept together in one area of the library and circulate for a
short period of time only. To locate reserve materials, you may need to use a reserve
course file, ask at the circulation or reserve desk, or look up a title in a reserve reading
list. Each library has its own reserve system retrospective materials
scope - The content of a work; what information is included and what information is
excluded.
secondary sources - Books or articles that explain or analyze primary sources. For
example, criticism of a literary work.
see reference - A reference from a heading that is not used to one or more headings
that are used. For example, the Library of Congress Subject Headings does not use the
heading Native Americans; there is a see reference to Indians of North America, the
correct heading.
see also reference - A reference from one heading to one or more related headings.
For example, in the Library of Congress Subject Headings, under the heading

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Recycling, there is a see also reference indicating to look at subheadings under
subjects, e.g. Waste Paper--Recycling, Glass Waste--Recycling.
serial - Materials issued at regular or irregular intervals and intended to continue
indefinitely. Includes periodicals, magazines, journals, and yearbooks.
series - A group of separate bibliographic items related to one another by the fact that
each item bears, in addition to its own title proper, a collective title applying to the group
as a whole. The individual items may or may not be numbered. (AACR 2) For example,
The Death Penalty is a book in the Opposing Viewpoints series.
set - A group of related items. When conducting a search in a database, the results of a
search form a set. See also Boolean logic.
stacks - Rows of shelves where library books and journals are stored.
stopword - A word which is omitted from the index of a database. Stopwords are very
common words (a, a, the, to, for, etc.) that normally add little meaning to the subject
content of the document being indexed. Since stopwords are not indexed, they cannot
be used as search terms, but will appear when you print documents from the database.
style manual - A publication that sets forth the rules for composition, including format
and manner of citing sources, to be used in a particular discipline or profession or by a
particular publisher.
subheading - A subdivision of a more general subject heading. For example in the
Library of Congress Subject Heading United States--History, History is a subheading of
United States.
subject heading - A term or phrase used in indexes and library catalogs to describe the
content of library materials in a standardized way. For example, Indians of North
America is the subject heading used in the online catalog to describe materials about
Native Americans. See also thesaurus and keywords.
table of contents - A list of parts contained within a book or periodical, such as chapter
titles and periodical articles, with references by page number or other location symbol to
the place they begin and in the sequence in which they appear.
tertiary sources - Reference works that identify, point out, summarize, abstract, or
repackage the information provided in primary and secondary sources. Examples
include dictionaries, encyclopedias, handbooks, etc.
thesaurus - A list of all the subject headings or descriptors used in a particular
database, catalog, or index. The thesaurus for the online catalog is the Library of
Congress Subject Headings. See also controlled vocabulary.
thesis - Τhe main idea or argument of a paper.

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A document prepared as a condition for the award of a degree or diploma. For example,
a Master’s thesis.
truncation - In database searching, the addition of a special symbol (*, #, ?, etc.) to the
root of a word to match any record in a database that begins with the letters to the left of
the symbol. For example in the online catalog, typing forest? as an expert keyword
search would find records containing the words forest, forestry, forests, forested, etc.
unbound volumes - Current, individual issues of a periodical title that are not yet
gathered together as a hardback volume.
uniform title - The title used for cataloging purposes when a work has appeared under
more than one title (such as translations into several languages), or when the work
being cataloged is of a collective nature, such as "Complete Works."
URL - An acronym for Uniform Resource Locator. It represents a unique location or
"address" of a resource located on the World Wide Web; similar to a call number for
library materials.
vertical file - A file cabinet or file box containing a collection of pamphlets, newspaper
clippings, or other small published items.
volume - Contains the total collection of all sequential issues of a periodical or
newspaper over a given time period.
withdrawn - Items that are no longer in the library collection.
World Wide Web - A client-server information system that uses the Internet to access
computers containing millions of hypertext documents.
yearbook - An annual compendium of facts and statistics on a particular subject for the
preceding year.
Z39.50 - Prepared by the National Information Standards Organization, Z39.50 is an
information retrieval service definition and protocol specification for library applications.
The standard defines how one computer system can co-operate with other systems for
the purpose of searching databases and retrieving records.

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List of common irregular verbs
Base Form Past Simple Past Participle

awake awoke awoken

be was, were been
beat beat beaten
become became become
begin began begun
bend bent bent
bet bet bet
bid bid bid
bite bit bitten
blow blew blown
break broke broken
bring brought brought
broadcast broadcast broadcast
build built built
burn burned/burnt burned /burnt
buy bought bought
catch caught caught
choose chose chosen
come came come
cost cost cost
cut cut cut
dig dug dug
do did done
draw drew drawn
dream dreamed/dreamt dreamed/dreamt
drive drove driven
drink drank drunk
eat ate eaten
fall fell fallen
feel felt felt
fight fought fought
find found found
fly flew flown
forget forgot forgotten
forgive forgave forgiven
freeze froze frozen
get got got (sometimes gotten)
give gave given
go went gone
grow grew grown
hang hung hung

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have had had
hear heard heard
hide hid hidden
hit hit hit
hold held held
hurt hurt hurt
keep kept kept
know knew known
lay laid laid
lead led led
learn learned/learnt learned / learnt
leave left left
lend lent lent
let let let
lie lay lain
lose lost lost
make made made
mean meant meant
meet met met
pay paid paid
put put put
read read read
ride rode ridden
ring rang rung
rise rose risen
run ran run
say said said
see saw seen
sell sold sold
send sent sent
show showed showed / shown
shut shut shut
sing sang sung
sit sat sat
sleep slept slept
speak spoke spoken
spend spent spent
stand stood stood
swim swam swum
take took taken
teach taught taught
tear tore torn
tell told told
think thought thought
throw threw thrown
understand understood understood

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wake woke woken
wear wore worn
win won won
write wrote written

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