Abstract: A short summary of an article, book, dissertation or other longer work.
Example: Peter read the abstract before he decided to find the article for his paper.

Article: An individual piece of writing on a particular subject in a magazine, journal or newspaper.
Example: The professor said to read at least three scholarly articles about the topic.

Barcode number: A 14-digit number used to identify library users and materials.
Example: The undergraduate student typed the barcode number on his ID card into the interlibrary loan request form.

Bibliography: A list of citations for books, articles and other publications on the same subject.
Example: The graduate student found an excellent bibliography on Asian sculpture in the Fine Arts Library.

Bound periodicals: Periodicals that are put between hard covers, like a book. Also called bound volumes.
Example: Last year’s issues of Time magazine were bound periodicals located in the main library.

Call number: A combination of letters and/or numbers that put books in order on the bookshelves and assist in locating materials in the library. Call numbers are based on the subject of the book.
Example: Amina wrote down the call number of the book she wanted to find.

Catalog: A file of all the books and other materials in a library. The catalog of the MSU Libraries, called the MAGIC online catalog, is on the Internet at http://magic.msu.edu/search . Here you can search for or “look up” books and other materials by author, title, keyword or call number.
Example: Dao found the book he needed in the MAGIC online catalog.

Check out: To borrow an item from the library.
Example: Nadia went to the circulation desk to check out the books she had found on the history of Lansing.

Circulation: Desk, department and service where you borrow and return library materials and pay fines for overdue (late), damaged or lost materials.
Example: Gregory went to the circulation desk with his ID card to borrow the book.

Citation: Brief information that describes a book or article. For books, a citation includes author(s); title; and place, publisher and date of publication. For articles, a citation includes the author (s) and title of the article; name of the journal/periodical; volume (issue) number, date and page numbers.
Example: Susan wrote down the citation she found in the index.

Due date: Date when an item borrowed from the library must be returned. Fines (money) may be owed when an item is overdue (not returned on time).
Example: Maria always returned library books she had borrowed before the due date.

Fine: Money owed for not returning library materials borrowed on time.
Example: Maria never had to pay a fine, because she always returned library materials on time.

Index: A subject guide for periodical articles. It gives citations-journal title, date, volume and pages-and, usually, abstracts for articles on a particular topic.
Example: Shizuka found many articles when she searched by her topic in an electronic index.

Interlibrary loan (ILL): A free service provided by the MSU Libraries to get materials not owned from other libraries. Also called Interlibrary Services.
Example: The circulation desk employee said most items requested through the interlibrary loan service arrived in approximately two weeks.

Journal: A scholarly publication containing articles written by different experts about research or experiments-usually published regularly.
Example: Juan read about Dr. Smith’s recent discoveries in the Journal of Water Management and Research.

Magazine: A publication containing news, current events and articles on popular topics of general interest.
Example: A picture of Lorraine’s favorite actor was on the cover of this week’s People magazine.

Periodical: Publications such as newspapers, journals and magazines that contain articles and are usually published more often than once a year.
Example: The New York Times, a daily newspaper, is an important periodical publication in the United States.

Recall: Request that an item that has been borrowed by another person be returned before the due date, so you can use it.
Example: The book that Veronique wanted was checked out, so she asked that it be recalled.

Reference: Desk, department and service where librarians are available to help you start your research and find information on your topic.
Example: Lee asked the reference librarian how to find books and articles on family-owned farms in Michigan.

Reserves (reserve reading): A desk and department where instructors keep books, articles and other class-related materials for students to read or use in the library for a limited time.
Example: A copy of Dr. Park’s article was available at the reserve reading desk on the second floor.

Renew: Request that the due date for an item borrowed from the library be changed, so that the item can be borrowed for longer.
Example: Leslie was able to renew the video online.

Stacks: Areas where bookshelves are located in a library.
Example: Barbara went to the stacks on the third floor of the east wing.