Dictionary for Library and Information Science »

JOAN M. REITZ is Librarian, Instructional Services, Ruth A. Haas Library, Western Connecticut State University.

Now available for the first time in print, this is the most comprehensive and reliable English-language resource for terminology used in all types of libraries.

Library Journal

What began in 1994 as a five-page handout at Western Connecticut State University (and later converted to electronic format) has evolved into a 700-plus-page print book with more than 4000 entries. But this is not a dictionary of just library and information science terms. As the author states in her preface, "the dictionary includes not only the terminology of the various specializations within library science and information studies but also the vocabulary of publishing, printing, the book trade, graphic arts, book history, literature, bibliography, telecommunications, and computer science when, in the author's judgment, a definition might prove helpful to librarians and information specialists in their work." OK. So we have "pen," "uppercase," "abbreviation," etc., but not "Gen-Y" (the age group 18-24 who have very different ideas about libraries), "SIP" (session initiated protocol),"broadband," etc. When you go broad, you go broad. The question then: Is it too broad to be of value to its intended audience? On that issue, you can draw your own conclusions.--B. Susan Brown, Pamunkey Regional Lib., VA Copyright 2004 Reed Business Information.

Dedication

Preface

Bibliography

Dictionary