Library Terminology

Imprint

The publication information of a book, including the place of publication, the name of the publisher, and the date of publication.

Index

1. An alphabetical list of names, places, and/or subjects found at the end of a resource (e.g., book, encyclopedia, etc.) that indicates the pages numbers each is discussed on.

2. A resource that arranges citations by author, title, and/or subject. See also Bibliographic Database

Information Desk

See Reference Desk / Reference

Information Literacy

The ability to recognize the need for information and subsequently locate, evaluate, and effectively and ethically use the needed information.

Interlibrary Loan (ILL)

A library service that allows users to request and borrow material from another library if the material is not owned by one of the Nova Southeastern University campus libraries.

Internet

A global communication network accessed via computer or electronic device.

IP Address

An abbreviation for Internet Protocol. A unique four-part series of numbers used to identify a specific computer connected to a network using the TCP/IP (Internet) Protocol. For Example: 123.456.78.910

ISBN

An abbreviation for International Standard Book Number. A four-part, 10- or 13-digit code assigned to a non-serial publication to uniquely identify them. For Example: 978-0446310789

ISSN

An abbreviation for International Standard Serial Number. A two-part, eight-digit code assigned to serial publications to uniquely identify them. The eighth digit may appear as an "X" if the number assigned to this space is equal to "10". For Example: 0123-4567 or 3456-789X

Issue

A single part of a periodical (e.g., journal, newspaper, etc.) that is referred to by its publication date or an assigned, sequential number.

Item

A single object in a library collection.