Library Vocabulary Words

Abstract - (noun) - a brief summary of an article or a book that includes bibliographic information such as author, title, source, subject headings or descriptors, etc.

Alliteration - (noun) - the repetition of initial sounds in adjacent words or syllables. Example, wings, wind and worms.

Almanacs - ( noun) - annual publications that contain calendars, facts, statistics, and other miscellaneous information.

Annotation - ( noun) - a note that describes, explains, or evaluates a particular document.

Archives - (noun) - an organized body of documents made or received in connection with the function of the institution or the library. Archives are maintained and preserved as a part of the record-keeping process and usually collected in a separate physical location.

Atlases - (noun) - collections of maps.

Author - (noun) - the writer of a book, story, play or article.

Biography - (noun) - a written account of a person's life written by another person.

Call Numbers - (noun) - a combination of numbers or letters and numbers that indicates the address or location of an item/material in the library. Examples, Library of Congress and Dewey Decimal System.

Circulation Desk - (noun) - the service desk where books and other materials are loaned or checked out of the library.

Critical thinking - (noun) - careful analysis

Cross Reference/Related Article/See Also - leads researcher to another name or term where additional or similar information can be found.

Database - (noun) - a collection of data or file of information in a form accessible by computer. In a sense, a database is a computerized library in which individual records can be retrieved.

Describe - (verb) - to create a picture of something in words.

Explain - (verb) - to make something clear so that it is easier to understand.

Figure of speech : a form of expression (as a simile or metaphor) that often compares or identifies one thing with another to convey meaning or heighten effect.

Indent - (verb) - to start a line of writing or typing farther from the margin.

Inter-library Loan - (noun) - a function of the lending and borrowing services that provide access to materials not owned by a library.

Illustration - (noun) - a picture in a book, magazine or other publication or document.

Metaphor - (noun) a figure of speech in which a word for one idea or thing is used in place of another to suggest a likeness between them (as in "the ship plows the sea")

Onomatopoeia - (noun) - formation of words in imitation of natural sounds (as buzz or hiss)

Primary Source - (noun) - Manuscripts, records, or documents providing original research or documentation.

Simile- (noun) - a figure of speech in which two dissimilar things are compared by the use of like or as (as in "eyes like the stars")

Title page - (noun) - page in front of book that contains author's name, illustrator's name, publisher and location of publisher.