Library and Information Sciences
ODLIS
ODLIS is designed as a hypertext reference resource for library and
information science professionals, university students and faculty, and
users of all types of libraries. The primary criterion for including a
term is whether a librarian or other information professional might
reasonably be expected to know its meaning in the course of his or her
work. A newly coined term is added when, in the author's judgment, it
is likely to become a permanent addition to the lexicon of library and
information science. The dictionary reflects North American practice;
however, because ODLIS was first developed as an online resource
available worldwide, with an e-mail contact address for feedback, users
from many countries have contributed to its growth, often suggesting
additional terms and commenting on existing definitions. Expansion of
the dictionary is an ongoing process.
Broad in scope, ODLIS includes not only the terminology of the various specializations within library science and information studies but also the vocabulary of publishing, printing, binding, 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. Entries are descriptive, with examples provided when appropriate.