Search engines: Search engines are programs that search for significant words in pages stored in its database. Search engines use other programs (called spiders, robots or webcrawlers) to search the Internet and retrieve pages and store them in its database. Some search engines are programmed to search a single web site or database. Meta-searchers are capable of searching multiple search engines at one time. Search engines are proprietary. This means that not all search engines are the same.
Search statement/Search Query: A search statement is the manner in which search terms are arranged when entered into a search engine. A search statement can consist of any combination of keywords , descriptors , Boolean terms , proximity, nesting, wildcard, and truncation symbols.
Secondary sources: are usually studies by other researchers. They describe, analyze, and/or evaluate information found in primary sources. By repackaging information, secondary sources make information more accessible. A few examples of secondary sources are books, journal and magazine articles, encyclopedias, dictionaries, handbooks, periodical indexes, etc.
“See” or “See Also” Reference: Directions in an index or catalog to look under another term or a related term, respectively.
Serial: A publication issued in successive parts usually at regular intervals. The term includes periodicals such as Magazines, Newspapers, Journals, and Annuals.
Shelf-list: A record of the materials in a library arranged in CALL NUMBER order, the order in which they would stand on the shelves. The Online Catalog permits call number “browsing” as an electronic shelf-list.
Special Collections: Collections dealing with special subjects and housed in a defined physical area as distinguished from open stacks. Examples are the Florida Collection, and the African American Collection, which is housed in room 403 of Coleman Library.
Special Libraries: Separate libraries which deal with departmental studies, such as journalism, architecture, or science research. At FAMU these are called branch libraries.
Stacks: "Stacks" is a colloquial term used to refer to the areas of the library where materials are shelved.
Study Rooms: Study Rooms contain quiet study areas, computers, and whiteboards.
Subject headings: a standardized word or phrase describing a topic or concept. Also called descriptors or controlled vocabulary.
Special Libraries: Separate libraries which deal with departmental studies, such as journalism, architecture, or science research. At FAMU these are called branch libraries.
Stacks: "Stacks" is a colloquial term used to refer to the areas of the library where materials are shelved.
Study Rooms: Study Rooms contain quiet study areas, computers, and whiteboards.
Subject headings: a standardized word or phrase describing a topic or concept. Also called descriptors or controlled vocabulary.