The sticker displaying a series of lines and a 14-digit number found on the back endpaper and/or back cover of a library item. Barcode numbers for HWS library begin with "322 0200" and are used to charge, discharge, and renew items.
“Charging” an Item
To check-out a book to a patron. This “charges” them with the responsibility of keeping the item in their care until it is returned. It does not transfer ownership and is not a rental.
Circulation Desk
A service area where books (and other materials) are charged/discharged to library users. This is where the bulk of our customer service is provided. Items that do not circulate (Reference materials, etc.) can be used within the library.
Collection, the
The library’s books, periodicals, DVDs, etc. in total. All of the materials the library owns.
“Discharging” an Item
When a patron returns an item, we scan the barcode in “Manage Item Returns” at the returns/discharge terminal. This “discharges” the patron from the responsibility of keeping the item.
Holdings
Part of the library’s collection --usually in a particular subject area or which volumes we have of a periodical title. (example: our holdings in New England Journal of Medicine include volume 373).
Interlibrary Loan
Lending and borrowing services between libraries (like between Syracuse and HWS) provide access to materials that cannot be found in the HWS catalog. To borrow such materials, use the Interlibrary Loan Link or see this FAQ. Questions? Check with a research librarian.
Library of Congress Classification
Often just called “Library of Congress” or “LC”. If library items were simply placed on the shelves in no particular order we’d never find anything. There are multiple ways to organize materials and LC is one of them. It is a letter and number classification system whereby library items are grouped together based on the main subjects they cover. For instance books on gardening will mostly be in the SB400’s while books on local/regional history will mostly be in the F100’s. Grouping items together in this way allows patrons to browse the bulk of the library’s materials on a particular subject all in one area without having to wander the whole collection searching the stacks. (How do I read an LC call number?)
Patron
Users of the library are called patrons. Our patrons include members of the HWS community as well as local residents.
Recall
A recall is the process of requiring a patron to return a library item before it would otherwise have been due. This usually happens when another patron needs the item.
Reserves
Reserves are the materials (typically books and DVDs) on the black shelves behind the circulation desk. Instructors have asked for these items to be set aside (or “reserved”) for the use of their students. Reserve materials may be charged out like any other item except they are usually limited to in-library use only and most have a 3 hour loan period --this helps ensure that multiple students in a particular class will all have access to the same books, movies, etc.
Stacks
The shelves that library items are placed on.
SingleSearch/Summon
SingleSearch is a tool that helps you discover your library’s resources. From a simple, unified interface it searches everything from our physical books to journal articles, electronic books, newspapers, videos, music, images, and more. We have added all the records from the library’s catalog to SingleSearch. It indexes over 80% of the journals to which we subscribe. For more info, see our SingleSearch Research Guide.