RESOURCE CENTRE MANUAL
HEALTHLINK WORLDWIDE
Definitions
Abstract
A summary of an article, book, report or audiovisual material.
Accession number
A number assigned to each book as it is received in the library, for example
748.
Accessions book or register
A book in which details of all materials are entered immediately after receipt.
Acquisition policy
A policy for obtaining new materials for the resource centre.
Acronym
A pronounceable abbreviation formed by combining initial letters or parts of
words – for example, UNESCO for United Nations Educational, Scientific and
Cultural Organization.
Attachment
A document or file sent with an e-mail message.
Author
The person or corporate body responsible for the content of a publication – for
example the writer of a book, compiler of a bibliography, artist or
photographer.
Author catalogue
A card catalogue of author cards arranged alphabetically. Author catalogues
usually include cards for editors, second and third authors, etc, and title cards
in the case of anonymous works.
Bibliographic
Relating to books and other resource materials.
Bibliography
A list of books, periodical titles, or audiovisual materials.
Boolean searching
Using the terms ‘and’, ‘or’ or ‘not’ to search for a specific combination of
words in a database. These combining terms are sometimes represented by
symbols, which vary from program to program.
Braille
A system for printing or writing for blind people, consisting of raised dots that
can be interpreted by touch. Each dot or group of dots represents a letter,
numeral or punctuation mark.
DEFINITIONS
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