This is a list of library terminology and services including standard spelling, capitalization and guidelines for recommended usage. This list does not include definitions. Please contact Evelyn Barker for any terms not represented on this list.
abbreviations: If an abbreviation must be used for the purposes of brevity or to avoid awkward repetition, always write out the full name first, and then add the abbreviation in parentheses. Use the abbreviation consistently on that page thereafter. Read more rules on abbreviations.
Examples:
The Architecture & Fine Arts Library (AFA) features student artwork.
To learn more, contact AFA.
Ask Us Anything: An online FAQ service that allows users to browse Frequently Asked Questions and to ask their own questions if they cannot locate the information they need.
books
borrowing: Use this term in place of charging or checking-out library materials.
call numbers
CD, CD-ROM
charge/discharge: Terms used in the Voyager circulation module. Only use these terms in internal documentation. Use the terms borrowing and returning in public documents.
collections: For official names of specific library collections, see Collections.
Consolodated Service Point (CSP):Do not use this term in public documents. Term refers to service point in all libraries. In Central, CSP includes reference, circulation, ILL, and OIT help.
contact liaison librarian: Librarian listed as the main contact for a given discipline. See also liaison librarian.
content librarian: OBSOLETE. DO NOT USE. See liaison librarian.
course guides: Online electronic guides within the LibGuide system with content specific to a course being held at UT Arlington.
Example: LIST 4373
database: When referring to the proper name of a database, do not italicize or place in quotation marks. Simply list the name of the database. E.g. OneSearch, LexisNexis Academic, or JSTOR.
digital collections: Use to refer to all online collections and exhibits with digitized or or born-digital content.
Example: The Reeder Children's Theatre Presents...
Digital Media Studio: OBSOLETE. DO NOT USE. See also UTA FabLab.
Distance Education Delivery Service
Drupal: Open-source content management system used to build and manage Libraries’ website. Replaces Cascade Server. Use for internal documents only.
DSpace: DSpace is the name of the institutional repository software at UT Arlington. Do not use. Use the University of Texas at Arlington ResearchCommons.
e-book: When used at the beginning of the sentence, capitalize the E.
email: Only capitalize the E if this is the first word of a sentence. This does not have a hyphen in it.
e-journals: When used at the beginning of the sentence, capitalize the E.
e-reserves: The full name is electronic reserves. Use e-reserves for all subsequent uses. When used at the beginning of the sentence, capitalize the E. (Note: This is the standard used by the American Library Association).
FabLab : Also called makerspace or hackerspace. Call UTA’s facility UTA FabLab.
Faculty Resource Delivery Service
fall semester: lowercase
Focus on Faculty
Geographic Information Systems: Write out the full name first. You may refer to it subsequently as GIS. See abbreviations.
GIS Day
group study rooms: In the past, these rooms have been called enhanced group study rooms or multimedia group study rooms. There is no need for these adjectives. You may use the term reserved group study rooms as applicable.
guest user: Refers to Library users not affiliated with UT Arlington. Guest users were previously known as secondary borrowers, but this term is obsolete.
hold vs. recall: There is a difference between a hold and a recall in the Voyager system. However, for the purpose of public documents, consistently use the term recall to avoid unnecessary confusion.
Information Fair: OBSOLETE. Generic name for the student welcome event hosted by the Library in the fall semester. See Welcome Week.
institutional repository: Avoid using institutional repository in public documents since it is library jargon. Use the University of Texas at Arlington ResearchCommons.
instruction librarian: OBSOLETE. Use subject liaison librarian.
Internet: Capitalize the I. When referring to a specific Web site, use its name rather than its URL. In other words, you would say Cartographic Connections rather than http://libraries.uta.edu/ccon/. For tips on how to write a Web address, see the entry for URL.
Interlibrary Loan: Interlibrary is one word and both words are capitalized. Write out the full name first. You may refer to it subsequently as ILL. See abbreviations.
Interlibrary Loan Desk: OBSOLETE. See consolidated service point.
K12 Connection: OBSOLETE. Do not use.
KIC scanners: The official name of the Libraries’ overhead digital book scanners.
liaison librarian: Do not use. Use the term subject liaison librarian.
liaison team: Team of librarians for a given discipline. See also contact liaison librarian.
LibAnswers: The proprietary name of the software that provides the Ask a Librarian service. Do not use this name in public documents; instead, use the term Ask Us Anything.
LibGuides: The proprietary name of the software where subject, course and topic guides are stored and accessed. Do not use this name in public documents; instead, use the name of the specific type of guide you are referring to (e.g., subject guides).
librarians vs. library staff: Unless it is necessary to differentiate, use the term staff as part of a phrase such as library staff. Examples of when to use librarian would include the terms contact liaison librarian or subject liaison librarian.
Libraries: The official name of the entire Library system is University of Texas at Arlington Libraries. Write out the full name first, and then refer to it subsequently as either the Libraries or UTA Libraries.
When referring to Libraries as a formal entity, capitalize Libraries and use
plural verbs.
Examples:
The Libraries have undergone tremendous change.
The Libraries are at the heart of UT Arlington's intellectual community.
When using pronouns, use the plural form.
Examples:
Welcome to UTA Libraries. We are open 24 hours a day, five days a
week.
They announced the hiring of a new director of scholarly communications.
We have three-day laptop checkout.
When Libraries is possessive, use [s’] (i.e., Libraries’).
Examples:
UT Arlington Libraries’ budget has remained flat for three years.
UTA Libraries’ exhibit "Howdy, Mr. President!" was a smash hit.
If Libraries is used as part of a proper name, it does not need to be
possessive. Try substituting "The University of Texas at Arlington" for
Libraries to see if it needs to be possessive.
Examples:
The Libraries UTA FabLab is a new service.
The Libraries Special Collections has a great map collection.
When using generically or adjectivally, use lowercase singular form.
Examples:
In the Blazing Race, library staff came in second.
We offer patrons library services like ILL, borrowing, and laptop checkout.
When referring to only one library location, use singular proper noun,
capitalize Library.
Examples:
Central Library is undergoing renovation. The Library’s first floor will
become a FabLab.
The Architecture & Fine Arts Library is in a beautiful part of campus.
library catalog: Singular and lowercase.
Library Collections Depository: Use LCD sparingly in public documents. See abbreviations.
LibraryLINK: Arlington Public Library’s version of TexShare.
login, logon, logoff: (n., adj.) One word when used as a noun or an adjective, but two words as a verb. Use the phrase log on to as opposed to log onto when directing users to a Web site.
Examples:
Your computer logon is also your NetID.
Can I log on to the computer using my NetID?
Maverick Stampede: Name for first week of classes during fall semesters that offers activities for students. The Libraries' event is one night.
monographs: Avoid using this term except in Library statistics and when absolutely necessary. The preferred term is books.
NetID: Refers to the computer account that provides access to UT Arlington computing resources. Use the phrase current NetID. Do not use valid NetID.
OneBook: OBSOLETE. The full name is The University of Texas at Arlington OneBook Program. You may refer to it subsequently as OneBook.
OPAC: Do not use, because it is library jargon. Use the term library catalog.
Paper's Due Drop Inn: OBSOLETE. Write out the full name first. You may refer to it subsequently as PDDI.
periodicals: Use this term to refer to ongoing publications such as magazines and journals. Do not use the term serials in public documents.
recall vs. hold: There is a difference between a hold and a recall in the Voyager system. However, for the purpose of public documents, consistently use the term recall to avoid unnecessary confusion.
reference librarianOBSOLETE. Use subject liaison librarian.
Reference Desk: OBSOLETE. See consolidated service point. Refers to the desk on the second floor of Central Library where reference services are provided.
Research Help Desk: OBSOLETE. See consolidated service point. Refers to the desk on the second floor of Central Library in the Research Help area where research services and PDDI are offered.
ResearchCommons: The full name is the University of Texas at Arlington ResearchCommons. You may refer to it subsequently as the ResearchCommons.
Reserves Desk: OBSOLETE. See consolidated service point. Even though there is only one physical desk in Central Library that handles both ILL and Reserves, it will be referred to either as the Interlibrary Loan Desk or the Reserves Desk depending on which service you are describing.
returning: Refers to the act of returning Library materials. Do not use the term discharging.
quiet study area(s): The designated quiet spaces in Central Library, the Science & Engineering Library and the Architecture & Fine Arts Library.
serials: Avoid using this term except in Library statistics and when absolutely necessary. The preferred term is periodicals.
Service Desk: OBSOLETE. See consolidated service point. Refers to the combined reference and circulation desk at the Science & Engineering Library, the Architecture & Fine Arts Library and the electronic libraries.
Special Collections reference desk
spring semester: lowercase
stacks: Do not use this term in public documents. Use floors or collections as reference points instead.
Example: The current periodicals are located on the third floor of
Central Library.
subject guides: Online guides tied to a specific department, major or program. See also LibGuides.
Example: Aerospace Engineering.
subject liaison librarian: Use this term instead of subject librarian or liaison librarian.
TexShare: Arlington Public Library is not a member. They use LibraryLINK.
topic guides: Online guides with an interdisciplinary focus. See also LibGuides.
Example: Climate Change.
URL: When writing out the URL of a site, do NOT use the http:// protocol at the start of the Web address. Avoid writing out URLs that are particularly lengthy unless essential to guide the reader to a particular document.
user/patron/borrower: Whenever possible, address readers using the second person (you), not the third person. If absolutely necessary, use borrower, user or patron depending on the context.
Example: You are required to show your MavID or library card when
borrowing Library materials.
UTA FabLab: Also called makerspace or hackerspace. Call UTA’s facility UTA FabLab.
UTA Libraries Special Collections: Formal name for UTA Libraries' Special Collections department.
Virginia Garrett Cartographic History Library: Located in Special Collections on the sixth floor of Central Library.
web page and website: The phrases website, webcam, webcast, webinar and webmaster are one word all lowercase. The word web page is two words lower case.
Web Voyage: Do not use in public documents. Use the term library catalog.
Welcome Desk: OBSOLETE. Refers to the circular desk on the first floor of Central Library (near the coffee shop) where student workers provide directional and other information. Library Guest Accounts were also issued here.
Welcome Week: OBSOLETE Previous name for first week of classes during fall semesters that offers activities for students. Use the term Maverick Stampede.