This list provides the definitions of some words and phrases that are commonly used in the library.
BCL Twitter: Briarcliffe College Library maintains a Twitter page for the purpose of making various library-related announcements. Follow us at http://twitter.com/BriarcliffeLib.
Boolean searching: A method of constructing searches in databases by establishing fixed relationships between all the search terms. The relationship is usually established using terms such as AND, OR, and NOT (Boolean operators), which enables a broadening or narrowing of the number of results based upon the kind of relationships established. For example: accounting AND programs AND (college OR university).
Call number: An alpha-numeric (letters and numbers) identifier found on the spine (side) or front of an item. Call numbers act as "addresses" for items in the library - use them to find the item you are looking for. Most academic libraries, including Briarcliffe College, use Library of Congress call numbers as opposed to Dewey decimal number assignments.
Catalog: The catalog is essentially a fully searchable electronic/online database that is accessible through the Briarcliffe College Library homepage. The catalog contains not only all the materials that are currently held within the Briarcliffe College Library System, but also the extensive bibliographic information pertaining to each of those items.
CECybrary: A collection of databases and electronic books available to Briarcliffe College students. Found at www.cecybrary.com.
Circulation: Circulation refers to the process by which library materials are checked in and out of the library. This term is also often applied to library materials that are permitted to be checked out of the library, i.e., the circulating collection or a circulating item. Some items do technically 'circulate', though are not permitted to leave the library, such as current course textbooks.
Information literacy: The ability to recognize when you need information and then to locate, evaluate and effectively use the needed information.
Inter-branch loan: The term, inter-branch loan, refers to the library material lending process whereby books from another campus library within the Briarcliffe College Library System may be requested by the library user in the event one's home campus library does not have the desired material available on the shelf. A librarian will provide assistance in this process.
Inter-library loan: Similar in concept to the inter-branch loan, an inter-library loan is only different in that it refers to the process by which material from libraries outside the Briarcliffe College Library system may be requested by the library user. Again, a librarian will provide assistance in this process.
ISBN: International Standard Book Number that identifies books and book-like products. The ISBN identifies the publisher, the edition and the country. The ISBN can be found on the copyright page and or on the back cover.
Library web site: The Briarcliffe College Library web site can be found at http://library.briarcliffe.net. It is accessible both on- and off-campus. On the web site you will find links to the Briarcliffe College catalog, the CECybrary, resources for students and instructors and information about the library.
Peer review: A standard procedure which publishing houses employ to vet prospective material. The work is anonymized and then given to various experts in that subject area for critical review. Based upon the critical analysis of a panel of experts, the work is either published or rejected.
Periodicals: Publications such as magazines, journals and newspapers which are published at regular intervals and contain a collection of articles or stories. Because they are published frequently they are often a good source for current information on topics. Electronic versions of the content of many periodicals can also be accessed through the Find Journal Articles feature of the CECybrary and through the Research Databases found on the library website.
Portal: The portal is a comprehensive and essential online interface, accessible by link through the Briarcliffe College Library homepage, which allows students and faculty access to important school information, campus email, course material, class schedules, grades, fees, discussion forums, links, and submit coursework.
Research databases: An organized collection of information designed to allow users easy access to data. Some examples of the research databases at Briarcliffe College Library include Academic Search Premier, ProQuest Central, LexisNexis Academic, Westlaw, and CINAHL.