FirstSearch glossary

abstract: A brief summary that classifies, evaluates, or describes the important points in the content of a journal article or library resource.
access method: Method used to log on to a service, download records or reports, or locate additional information. For example, a URL (Uniform Resource Locator) is used to find information on the Internet.
accession number: 1) a number or code that identifies an archived library resource; 2) an inventory number assigned to each item in a library's collection. Usually sequentially assigned as the item is added. Typically in the form yyyy-nnnnn, in which the year of acquisition precedes the sequential number.
address: Words, numbers, or symbols that designate a physical or virtual location. Examples: street numbers and names, countries, e-mail addresses, URLs.
ANDOVER: A code that identifies those index records from the Andover Review (Boston, Mass) from vol. 1, no: 1 (Jan 1884) through vol. 19, no. 114 (Nov./Dec. 1893). Used as a valid value in the ATLAReligion product code index. See also ATLAS; ESSCOL; IBRR; MRI; RDB; RIP.
animation: See film technique.
article issue number: A number or code that identifies an article by the issue of the journal in which it appears.
article type: Words or abbreviations that describe the format or medium used to present an article. For example, a review (rev) is an article type. An editorial is another article type.
article volume number: A number or code that identifies an article by the volume of the journal in which it appears.
ATLAS: A code which identifies those index records that are part of the ATLA Serials product, an online full-text collection of major religion and theology journals. Used as a valid value in the ATLAReligion product code index. See also ANDOVER; ESSCOL; IBRR; MRI; RDB; RIP.
author: The person, persons, or corporate body responsible for the writing or compilation of a work. Usually distinguished from an editor, translator, compiler, although these may be regarded as authors.
author affiliation: Institution an author is affiliated with, as indicated on a title page or following an author name.
author phrase: The exact name of the person(s) or group credited with creating a library resource.
availability: Indicates the institutions from which a library resource can be obtained.

bibliographic record: Contains the cataloging information that describes the physical format and intellectual content of a single entity (a book, video, computer file, CD, etc.).
blank workform: A template for creating an interlibrary loan request that does not supply any bibliographic information.
Book number: The part of a call number that distinguishes a specific item from other items within the same class number, also called a Cutter number. A book number is composed of letters from the author's name and numbers. There are several systems for creating book numbers.
Boolean operators: AND, OR, and NOT. Used to combine search terms. AND finds only records that contain both terms. OR finds records that contain either term. NOT finds records that contain the first term but not the second term.
Boolean logic (searches): A system of logical thought developed by English mathematician George Boole (1815-64). A Boolean search combines key concepts or search terms with the logic operators AND, OR and NOT to specify the exact information required in a database search.

call number: A set of letters, numerals or other symbols (in combination or alone) used by a library to identify a specific copy of a work. A call number consists of the class number and book number (or Cutter number).
chemical substance: A five-to-nine-digit number that identifies a chemical substance or an enzyme The number is followed by the name of the substance in parentheses.
citations: A list that contains terms that identify whole or parts of library resources so that they may be found.
classification number: The part of a call number, usually a combination of letters and numbers, used to classify library resources by subject area.
collection: (1) Library resources grouped by a specific topic or other organization criteria; (2) the entire holdings of a library; (3) all library resources on a particular subject.
conference name: All or part of the name or title of a conference. A conference name could also be included in a title, abstract, notes, or text of a library resource. Examples: names of meetings, exhibitions, expositions, festivals, athletic contests, scientific expeditions.
conference name phrase: The exact name or title of a conference that is the focus of a search. A conference name could be included in a title, abstract, notes, or text of a library resource.
corporate author: All or part of the name of a corporate group responsible for creating a library resource.
corporate author phrase: The exact name of a corporate group responsible for creating a library resource.
corporate name: All or part of the name of a corporation affiliated in some way with a library resource.
corporate name phrase: The exact name of a corporation affiliated in some way with a library resource.
CSD: See OCLC Customer Services Division (CSD).
Cutter number: A book number based on the widely used scheme devised by Charles Ammi Cutter. In colloquial usage, synonymous with book number. See Book number.

database: A collection of resources assembled into a single unit for a specific purpose. Each entry in the database is called a record. Use FirstSearch to search for a specific record in one or more databases.
date of entry: Date a new or updated bibliographic citation is included in a database.
DBID source: Database Identifier source. An identifying number or term that refers to a source journal or primary database from which a cited library resource came.
DDC: See Dewey Decimal Classification.
default: Selections made by the computer or a software program in the absence of specific instructions by the user.
descriptor: (1) A term that describes the theme or topic of the content of a library resource. (2) a standardized term assigned to database records to facilitate retrieval of records in a search.
descriptor phrase: The exact term that describes the theme or topic of the content of a library resource.
Dewey Class number: See Dewey Decimal class number.
Dewey Decimal class: See Dewey Decimal class number.
Dewey Decimal class number: A classification number that conforms to the conventions used in the Dewey Decimal Classification system. The classes used to identify library resources are: 000, General Works; 100, Philosophy & Psychology; 200, Religion; 300, Social Sciences; 400, Language; 500, Natural Sciences & Math; 600, Applied Sciences (Technology); 700, Fine Arts; 800, Literature; 900, Geography & History.
Dewey Decimal Classification: A general knowledge organization tool conceived by Melvil Dewey in 1873 and first published in 1876. At the broadest level, the Dewey Decimal Classification (DDC) is divided into ten main classes organized by disciplines or fields of study. Together these classes cover the entire world of knowledge. See Dewey Decimal class number.
Dewey Decimal subject heading: Used in the Dewey Decimal Classification system to identify library resources by disciplines or areas of knowledge.
Dewey subject heading: See Dewey Decimal subject heading.
Dewey subject heading phrase: The specific terms used to identify Dewey subject headings or subsets of those headings. Browse the Dewey subject heading phrase index for valid phrases.
diacritic: A mark that modifies the phonetic value of another character or characters. It does not occur alone but is used in conjunction with another character. In records each diacritic occupies its own position, directly following the modified character.
diorama: A three-dimensional scene in which figures or other objects are arranged in a naturalistic setting against a painted backdrop.
Document Supplier: Major national resource centers and other document suppliers such as the British Library Document Supply Center.
document type: Term that identifies the format, genre, or medium used to produce or classify a document. Valid values will vary by database. Use the advanced or expert search screens to select a valid document type from the drop-down menu. See also record type; resource type.
domain: All or part of an Internet name, address or element that identifies a computer and the organization that transmits or receives electronic data.
domain phrase: An exact Internet name, address or element that identifies a computer and the organization that transmits or receives electronic data.

electronic document supplier: Document supplier that accepts WorldCat Resource Sharing requests and delivers full-text documents through messages to your library's e-mail system.
e-mail: Electronic mail. The exchange of electronic messages created by a user on a computer and transmitted (via an organization's network or the Internet) to another user's computer.
ESSCOL: A code which identifies the subset of records describing multi-author essay collections and the individual essays within the multi-author work. Used as a valid value in the ATLAReligion product code index. See also ANDOVER; ATLAS; IBRR; MRI; RDB; RIP.
extended author: Author name or names or information about an affiliation or institution.
extended author phrase: The exact author name or names or information about an affiliation or institution.
extended title: All or part of a title including subtitle, alternate title, or other information that describes the library resource.
extended title phrase: The exact terms used in a title, including subtitle, alternate title, or other information that describes the library resource.

family name: A name after a given name; a last name or surname.
field: In a record, a marked area in which the same kind of information is consistently entered.
film technique: The technique used to create motion for motion pictures or videorecordings. Can include animation and partial animation techniques.
FirstSearch/ILL Direct Request link: A link between OCLC Direct Request and the OCLC FirstSearch service that allows patrons to generate requests for materials cited in FirstSearch databases.
forename: A name before a surname; a first name.
format: Words or abbreviations that describe the format or production medium used to identify the library resource. For example, a review (rev) is an article type.
frequency: The interval at which a publisher distributes a serial publication.
full text: The complete contents of a library resource that is text based, as opposed to an abstract or a bibliographic record.
full text ISSN list: A list of International Standard Serial Numbers that identify and communicate basic information about the content of library resources for which full text is available.

genre/form phrase: Terms that describe the contents of a library resource within a given form such as art, drama, music, poetry; or sculpture, one-act play, symphony, haiku.
geographic classification codes phrase: Geographic codes, usually alphanumeric terms, that classify library resources by place.
geographic coverage phrase: (1) Major geographic subject headings that classify library resources by place. (2) Geographic subject headings and subheadings that classify library resources by place.
geographic name phrase: The exact place name used to classify or identify the library resource.
given name: A name before a family name; a first name or forename.
government document number: Government-assigned number for materials printed at the expense of and by the authority of any office of the government, for example, United States Superintendent of Documents (SuDoc) numbers. Other government numbers may be used such as Canadian government numbers from the Outline of Classification. The form of these numbers varies.

holding library code: See OCLC holding library code.
holdings: 1) OCLC institution symbols attached to a record, indicating libraries that own the item described by the record. 2) The collective resources owned or held by the library.
holdings information: The location, status and/or copies associated with a single bibliographic item of a specific publication held by a particular institution.

IBRR: Index to Book Reviews in Religion. A code which identifies the ATLA workflow for book reviews and the corresponding book described within the reviews. Records with this code have been created or included within the IBRR workflow. Used as a valid value in the ATLAReligion product code and record stream indexes and ATLAS record stream indexes. See also ANDOVER; ATLAS; ESSCOL; IMAGE; MRI; RDB; RIO; RIP; RIT.
identifier: A significant term, number, acronym, name, or symbol used alone or with other identifiers to refer to a library resource.
identifier phrase: A significant term, number, acronym, name, or symbol used alone or with other identifiers to refer to a library resource.
ILL: See WorldCat Resource Sharing.
ILL Fee Management service (IFM): A service that provides a means to pay and be paid for interlibrary loan requests through your OCLC invoice.
illustration: Graphics used to clarify or enhance the content of electronic or paper text.
IMAGE: A code which identifies the ATLA workflow for full-text images that correspond to the item described within an ATLA Religion Database bibliographic citation. This code may be used in conjunction with the ATLAS product code to identify citations that correspond to available full-text images within ATLAS. Used as a valid value in the ATLAReligion record stream index. See also IBRR; RIO; RIT.
index: A detailed alphabetical or numerical list representing a specific kind of bibliographic data provided for databases for retrieving a record or sets of records.
institution symbol: See OCLC symbol.
International Standard Book Number (ISBN): A unique identification number assigned to a work by its publisher. Each ISBN has ten characters. The tenth character is a check character that may be a number or the letter x. In printed form, the ISBN has three hyphens. Hyphens are omitted in online records.
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN): A unique identification number assigned to a serial through the ISSN Network. Each ISSN has eight characters. The eighth character is a check character that may be a number or the letter x. A hyphen follows the fourth character.
issue: A unique document that is part of a serial that could be identified by words, numbers, or date of publication.

journal: A periodical publication usually devoted to scholarly subjects.
journal announcement: Time-bound news or information in a journal or periodical inviting participation in an event, submission of articles, or queries for more information.
journal class: A group of journals classified by one subject or collected by one person or organization.
journal sort: Sorting the results of a search by journals according to subject or collection.
journal subject: Terms that identify the theme or concept behind the information contained in a journal.
journal subject phrase: Specific terms that identify the theme or concept behind the information contained in a journal.
juvenile audience: Indicates the appropriate age for the audience of the particular work.; See FirstSearch online help on Audience type for a listing of valid juvenile audience types.

keyword: A word in a bibliographic record that is indexed. It often conveys subject content in a search for library resources. Keywords are found in titles, notes, abstracts, summaries, descriptions, and subjects. Keywords are also names of people and places that are the subjects of a library resource or a listing in a directory.
keyword search: A type of search that uses a complete word, usually combined with other keywords.
kit: A set of textual and nontextual materials in which no one material dominates and which has a collective title. For example, a workbook that comes with flashcards, worksheets, video recording, gameboard, playing pieces, and dice.

language: Language of the text of the library resource.
LC call number: See Library of Congress call number.
LCSH: Library of Congress Subject Headings. Formal and consistent vocabulary words derived from the U.S. Library of Congress classification system. Used to describe the subject of a work.
Lender policies: Information about potential Lenders available from Find an OCLC Library and the OCLC Policies Directory.
Library of Congress: The research arm of the Congress of the United States. Although not officially a national library, it provides services appropriate to a national library.; Its collections comprise the world's most comprehensive record of human creativity and knowledge.
Library of Congress call number: Identification number derived from the U.S. Library of Congress classification system. Used to retrieve a library resource.
limit a search: A technique to make your search more precise. Limiting eliminates from the results whole classes of records so that your search results are more understandable.
Literary form: A mode of literary expression such as poetry, drama, fiction, etc. Each form can be subdivided into kinds of forms, e.g., lyric poetry, comedy, science fiction, etc.
literary text: Indicates the type of a spoken word recording based on its content.

manuscript: A document (including musical scores, maps, as well as text) that is made by hand or transcripts.
Maps format: OCLC-MARC format used to catalog cartographic material (maps, atlases, globes, digital maps, etc.).
material type: The type of material the record represents.; See FirstSearch online help on Material types for a listing of valid types.
media format: Indicates the physical form or the method of information delivery for a library resource described.; See FirstSearch online help on Media formats for a listing of valid formats.
MeSH: Medical Subject Headings. Formal and consistent vocabulary words used to describe the subject of a medical work. MeSH is provided by the National Library of Medicine for medical libraries.
MeSH heading: Medical subject headings used to populate the MEDLINE thesaurus. This thesaurus contains words from the medical field which are used in MEDLINE records.
MeSH heading phrase: Exact phrases that make up the list of medical subject headings used to populate the MEDLINE thesaurus. This thesaurus contains words from the medical field which are used in MEDLINE records.
molecular sequence: Data consisting of accession numbers assigned by databanks for molecular sequences deposited by researchers. Currently, 11 databanks register molecular sequences. Often, an article references the databank accession number rather than a graphic representation of the sequence itself. These numbers are displayed in the format: databank/number. For example, GENBANK/M96979.
monograph: An item complete in one part or a specified number of parts; compare, serial.
MRI: Methodist Reviews Index. A code which identifies articles and book reviews from five periodicals related to Methodism: Methodist Review, Methodist Quarterly Review, United Brethren Review, Religion in Life, and Quarterly Review. Indexing span 1818-1985. Used as a valid value in the ATLAReligion product code index. See also ANDOVER; ATLAS; ESSCOL; IBRR; RDB; RIP.
music number: Plate and publishers' numbers for printed music (scores); serial and matrix numbers for sound recordings; videorecording numbers for visual materials, and publisher numbers other than those for sound recordings, music, or videorecordings. For example, B 07042 L.
musical composition: Indicates the category under which a work of written or recorded music may fall based on its arrangement, structure, instrumentation, or other musical component.; See FirstSearch online help on Composition for a listing of valid composition types.

named company phrase: The exact name of a company mentioned in a library resource. Browse this FirstSearch index for exact names.
named conference phrase: The exact name of a conference mentioned in a library resource.
named corporation phrase: The exact name of a corporation mentioned in a library resource. Browse this FirstSearch index for exact names.
named person phrase: The exact name of a person mentioned in a library resource. Browse this FirstSearch index for exact names.
named review phrase: Search terms that find information about a review of another library resource.
Natl Ag Lib call number: Identification number used to find a library resource from the National Agriculture Library.
Natl Lib of Canada call number: Identification number used to find a library resource from the National Library of Canada.
nesting: Grouping terms within parentheses to specify the order in which they will be combined. Terms in the innermost parentheses will be combined and searched first. Without parentheses, terms will be combined in left-to-right order.
NLM: Identification number used to retrieve a library resource from the U.S. National Library of Medicine.

OCLC: Online Computer Library Center, Inc. Nonprofit membership organization serving libraries around the world to further access to the world's information and reduce library costs by offering services for libraries and their users.
OCLC Customer Services Division (CSD): OCLC's user assistance and support contact desk that provides support for telecommunications, hardware, and software.
OCLC holding library code: A unique code that identifies a holding library within an institution. See also OCLC symbol.
OCLC number: An accession number assigned by the OCLC system when a record is added to the WorldCat database.
OCLC symbol: A unique identifier assigned by OCLC to members and participants. OCLC symbols in records and in holdings displays identify libraries that have entered and used the bibliographic record for cataloging. See also OCLC holding library code.
OCLC usage statistics: Reports available on the OCLC Web site on your library's use of OCLC services, including FirstSearch, Resource Sharing, and online cataloging using Connexion. Open from within the client (View > OCLC Usage Statistics).
OCLC User and Network Support (UNS): See OCLC Customer Services Division (CSD).
Online Service Center: The Online Service Center is a secure, Web-based tool that library staff with administrative authority can use to order OCLC products and services as well as view, update and manage their OCLC account information.
OSC: See Online Service Center.

A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P R S T U W Z

P

PDF

Portable Document Format. The Adobe Acrobat standard that enables display of documents on different platforms, without significant change in appearance.

periodical

A magazine, journal, or other serial publication issued at regular, recurring intervals. Differs from a newspaper in format and publication frequency (annually, quarterly, monthly, weekly rather than daily).

phrase indexes

Indexes containing alpha-numeric words, names, or characters used in phrase searching. Phrase indexes contain entries for an entire field or subfield. Browse a phrase index to find the words, names, or characters exactly as they appear in the records.

phrase search (=)

Alpha-numeric words, names, or characters used to initiate a precise search. To initiate a phrase search

Browse the index to find the exact words, names, or characters that appear in the records.
Type the phrase into the Search for: box (Examples: sh=history the Americas; au=liu, xio wen).
Enclose the phrase in double quotes (optional).

plurals (+)

To search for plurals, add a plus sign (+) to the singular form. The plus sign (+) will search for any plural formed with either -s or -es. For the plural of words that change form, such as mouse or story, search for both forms and combine them with the Boolean operator OR.

proximity (w or n)

To find terms within a certain distance of other terms, use the proximity operators w or n followed by a number.

publisher

The persons or companies responsible for placing the book on the market. A publisher and printer may be the same person or entity, although in modern publishing this is not usually the case.

RDB: A code that identifies all records contained in the ATLA Religion Database, an index to journal articles, book reviews and collections of essays in all fields of religion. Used as a valid value in the ATLAReligion product code index. See also ANDOVER, ATLAS, ESSCOL, IBRR, MRI, and RIP.
record: An individual entry in a database. A record can describe a book, journal article, or any other library resource.
record type: Term that identifies the format, genre, or medium used to produce or classify a library resource. Valid values will vary by database. Use the advanced or expert search screens to select a valid record type from the drop-down menu. See also document type; resource type
reference: Information referring to a document or information source.
report number: Uniquely identifies a technical report; not a series number. There are two kinds: Standard Technical Report Numbers and other, nonstandard numbers.
resource type: Term that identifies the format, genre, or medium used to produce or classify a library resource. Valid values will vary by database. Use the advanced or expert search screens to select a valid resource type from the drop-down menu. See also document type; record type.
RIO: Religion Index One: Periodicals. A code which identifies the ATLA workflow for serials and journal articles. Records with this code have been created or included within the RIO workflow. Used as a valid value in the ATLAReligion and ATLAS record stream indexes. See also IBRR, IMAGE, and RIT.
RIP: Retrospective Indexing Project. A code which identifies those index records from 133+ periodical titles that pre-date the beginning of Religion Index One (RIO ). The periodical coverage extends backwards for decades and, in some instances, even a century or more. Used as a valid value in the ATLAReligion product code index. See also ANDOVER, ATLAS, ESSCOL, IBRR, MRI, and RDB.
RIT: Religion Index Two: Multi-Author Works. A code which identifies the ATLA workflow for multi-author works and the individual essays within a multi-author work. Records with this code have been created or included within the RIT workflow. Used as a valid value in the ATLAReligion record stream index. See also IBRR, IMAGE, and RIO.

searching: The process of retrieving bibliographic records from a database.
serial: A publication issued over time in installments. Includes journals, periodicals, magazines, newspapers, etc.
series: Uniform volumes of a library resource that are related by subject matter, issued successively, and generally by the same publisher in a uniform style.
SIC code: The Standard Industrial Code is an alphanumeric identifier that classifies businesses by type. For example, 078200 is the SIC code for Lawn & Garden Services.
stopwords: Words you omit from a search because they are so common that they have no informational value. Stopwords are not indexed and are therefore ignored by the system if you type them. See stopword lists for keyword searches and for derived corporate name searches. Examples: a, an, and, or, and the.; Stopwords are identified in a limited number of indexes in selected databases.
Subject: The topic that is the main focus of the content of a library resource.
subject headings: Topical headings that describe the main focus of the content of a library resource.
subject phrase: Exact terms that describe the topic that is the main focus of the content of a library resource.
supplier: An institution that supplies items requested via WorldCat Resource Sharing. The institution's interlibrary loan polices may determine what items the institution supplies via WorldCat Resource Sharing.

text: The type matter on a page or in an electronic document that is distinct from illustrations or graphics.
title: A word, phrase, character, or group of characters, appearing on an information source that names the item.; Tip: Use words that distinguish the subject content of the resource. For example, a search for titles that contain the name Julia Childs yields books and audiovisual resources.
title phrase: The exact term(s) used to name a library resource such as a book, article, transcript, video, recording, song, score, or software. Tip: Use the exact terms that appear in the title. For example, type THX-1138 to search for the videotape with this title.
truncation (*): Truncation allows you to search for a term and its variations by entering only the root of the term followed by an asterisk *. Use the truncation symbol only at the end of a term. See also wildcard (# or ?).

UNS: See OCLC Customer Services Division (CSD).
URL: Uniform Resource Locator. Address or location of a Web page or other resource.

wildcard (# or ?): A special character used to represent one or more characters in a search term. FirstSearch recognizes two wildcards. The pound sign (#) represents a single character and the question mark (?), alone or with a number, represents zero or more characters. Wildcards can only be used after the third character of a term. See also truncation (*).
WorldCat Resource Sharing: Former name for OCLC WorldCat Resource Sharing, a resource sharing service that makes possible borrowing and lending library materials.

Z39.50: Z39.50 is an information retrieval protocol that supports communication among different information systems. The maintenance agency for the protocol is the Library of Congress.

Domestic and international trademarks and/or service marks of OCLC Online Computer Library Center, Inc. and its affiliates

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