Vocabulary Words Every Librarian Should Know

Book

Definition: A set of written pages bound together.

• I am reading a storybook.
• She borrowed a book from the library.
• He wrote a book about history.

Book in a sentence

Read

Definition: To look at and understand written words.

• I love to read books before bedtime.
• Can you read this sentence aloud?
• She will read the story to the class.

Read in a sentence

Library

Definition: A place where books are kept for reading and borrowing.

• I go to the library to study.
• The library has many interesting books.
• She borrowed a book from the library.

Library in a sentence

Story

Definition: A description of events, real or imaginary.

• She told me a funny story.
• I read a story before bed.
• The teacher shared a story with the class.

Story in a sentence

Page

Definition: One side of a sheet of paper in a book or document.

• She turned the page to read the next chapter.
• The page was filled with colorful illustrations.
• Understanding page layout is important for design.

Page in a sentence

Author

Definition: A person who writes books, articles, or other texts.

• She is the author of several children's books.
• He wants to become an author one day.
• The author gave a talk about her latest book.

Author in a sentence

Title

Definition: The name of a book, article, or piece of work.

• The title of her favorite book is "Harry Potter."
• He won an award for the best title in the competition.
• Understanding title significance enhances reading comprehension.

Title in a sentence

Borrow

Definition: To take something from someone with the intention of returning it.

• Can I borrow your pencil for a moment?
• He likes to borrow books from the library.
• She asked to borrow some money for lunch.

Borrow in a sentence

Return

Definition: To go back to a place or give something back.

• I will return the book to the library.
• Please return the favor when you can.
• He plans to return home next week.

Return in a sentence

Quiet

Definition: Making little or no noise; calm.

• Please be quiet during the movie.
• The library is a quiet place to study.
• She enjoyed the quiet of the early morning.

Quiet in a sentence

Desk

Definition: A piece of furniture with a flat surface for working.

• I study at my desk every evening.
• She keeps her books organized on her desk.
• The teacher sat at her desk grading papers.

Desk in a sentence

Shelf

Definition: A flat surface used for storing items, often attached to a wall; a ledge.

• She placed the books on the shelf in her room.
• The shelf in the kitchen holds all the dishes.
• He built a shelf to display his collectibles.

Shelf in a sentence

Magazine

Definition: A publication with articles and images on various topics.

• She reads a magazine about fashion every month.
• The magazine features interviews with celebrities.
• He enjoys collecting old magazines about history.

Magazine in a sentence

Newspaper

Definition: A printed publication containing news, articles, and advertisements, usually released daily or weekly.

• He reads the newspaper every morning with breakfast.
• The newspaper reported on local events and issues.
• Many people still prefer reading the newspaper over online news.

Newspaper in a sentence

Student

Definition: A person who is learning, especially in a school.

• She is a student at the local high school.
• The student asked a question in class.
• He helped a fellow student with her homework.

Student in a sentence

Teacher

Definition: A person who educates students in a school.

• My teacher is very supportive.
• She wants to be a teacher when she grows up.
• He enjoys being a teacher and helping others learn.

Teacher in a sentence

Information

Definition: Facts or details about a subject.

• I need more information about the project.
• The teacher provides information on how to study.
• You can find information online for your research.

Information in a sentence

Help

Definition: To assist someone with something.

• Can you help me with my homework?
• She helped her mother in the kitchen.
• He always helps his friends.

Help in a sentence

Search

Definition: To look for something.

• I will search for my missing book.
• They search for information online.
• He likes to search for new recipes.

Search in a sentence

Write

Definition: To put words on paper or a screen.

• She likes to write stories in her notebook.
• Please write your name on the form.
• He will write a letter to his friend.

Write in a sentence

Catalog

Definition: A complete list of items, often with descriptions.

• I found a catalog of books in the library.
• The store's catalog features many new products.
• You can browse the online catalog for more information.

Catalog in a sentence

Fiction

Definition: Literature that tells stories from the imagination; not real.

• She enjoys reading fiction books before bedtime.
• The novel is a work of fiction based on historical events.
• Understanding fiction can enhance creativity and imagination.

Fiction in a sentence

Non-fiction

Definition: writing that is based on facts and real events

• She enjoys reading non-fiction books about history.
• Non-fiction can educate and inform readers.
• The library has a large section for non-fiction titles.

Non-fiction in a sentence

Loan

Definition: Money borrowed that is expected to be paid back.

• He took a loan to buy a car.
• The bank offered her a loan for school.
• She is paying off her loan slowly.

Loan in a sentence

Cover

Definition: To place something over or on top of something else; to protect or hide.

• He used a blanket to cover the sleeping child.
• The teacher asked them to cover their books.
• She wore a coat to cover herself from the cold.

Cover in a sentence

Librarian

Definition: A person who works in a library, helping people find information.

• The librarian assisted students with research projects.
• She wants to become a librarian after college.
• The librarian organized a reading program for children.

Librarian in a sentence

Study

Definition: To learn about a subject.

• I study English every day.
• She studies for her exams.
• He went to the library to study.

Study in a sentence

Circulation

Definition: The movement of blood or air through a system; also refers to the distribution of information.

• Good circulation is important for healthy living.
• The library's circulation increased with new books.
• Understanding circulation helps in biology and health.

Circulation in a sentence

Reference

Definition: A mention of something; a source of information.

• He included a reference to the book in his essay.
• Please provide a reference for your claims.
• She used a reference guide for her project.

Reference in a sentence

Nonfiction

Definition: Writing that is based on facts and real events.

• She enjoys reading nonfiction books about history.
• Nonfiction can be informative and educational.
• The library has a large section for nonfiction titles.

Nonfiction in a sentence

Archive

Definition: A collection of historical documents or records.

• We store old papers in the archive.
• The library has an archive of local history.
• You can find many interesting facts in the archive.

Archive in a sentence

Database

Definition: A structured set of data stored in a computer.

• The library has a database of all its books.
• He learned how to create a database for information.
• The database helps organize large amounts of data.

Database in a sentence

Index

Definition: A list or measure that shows the value or level of something; a sign or indicator.

• The index of the book helped her find information quickly.
• The stock market index shows how the market is performing.
• He used an index to locate specific topics in the report.

Index in a sentence

Patron

Definition: A person who supports or gives financial assistance to a person, organization, or cause.

• The artist thanked her patron for funding the exhibition.
• He became a patron of the local theater.
• Patrons play a vital role in supporting the arts.

Patron in a sentence

Resource

Definition: A source of supply or support.

• Water is a vital resource for life.
• They used their resources wisely to complete the project.
• Education is a key resource for development.

Resource in a sentence

Collection

Definition: A group of items gathered together.

• She has a beautiful collection of stamps.
• His collection of books is impressive.
• The museum has a collection of ancient artifacts.

Collection in a sentence

Periodical

Definition: A publication released at regular intervals, such as a magazine or journal.

• She subscribed to a scientific periodical for her research.
• The library has many periodicals available for students.
• Reading periodicals helps keep you informed about recent developments.

Periodical in a sentence

Access

Definition: The ability to enter or use something; to gain entry.

• Students have access to the library after school.
• She needs access to the internet for her research.
• They provide access to resources for learning.

Access in a sentence

Research

Definition: A careful study to learn more about something.

• We need to do research for our project.
• Her research on animals was fascinating.
• He enjoys research in science.

Research in a sentence

Bibliography

Definition: A list of books and sources used in research.

• The bibliography at the end of the paper was extensive.
• She included a bibliography to support her findings.
• Writing a bibliography helps credit original authors.

Bibliography in a sentence

Metadata

Definition: Data that provides information about other data; helps organize and categorize information.

• The photo had metadata showing the date it was taken.
• Understanding metadata is important for digital files.
• They used metadata to improve the search function.

Metadata in a sentence

Acquisition

Definition: The act of obtaining or gaining possession of something.

• The acquisition of new skills takes time.
• The company made an acquisition of a smaller firm.
• He celebrated his acquisition of a new language.

Acquisition in a sentence

Digital

Definition: Relating to technology that uses computer systems.

• I prefer digital books over paper ones.
• Digital cameras take pictures without film.
• We can find digital resources online for our project.

Digital in a sentence

Manuscript

Definition: A written document, especially one that is not yet published.

• The author submitted her manuscript for review.
• He is working on a manuscript for his novel.
• Understanding manuscript formatting is important for writers.

Manuscript in a sentence

Interlibrary

Definition: between libraries

• The interlibrary loan system allows you to borrow books from other libraries.
• He used the interlibrary service to find the rare book.
• Interlibrary resources expand access to information.

Thesis

Definition: A statement or theory that is put forward as a premise to be maintained.

• He wrote a thesis for his degree.
• The thesis was about climate change.
• Her thesis focused on renewable energy.

Thesis in a sentence

Cataloging

Definition: The process of organizing and listing items in a systematic way.

• She spent the afternoon cataloging the library books.
• Cataloging helps keep track of inventory.
• Understanding cataloging is important for librarians.

Cataloging in a sentence

Curation

Definition: The act of selecting, organizing, and presenting content or items.

• Museum curators are responsible for curation of exhibits.
• Digital curation involves organizing online resources.
• He is interested in curation for art galleries.

Repository

Definition: a place where things are stored

• The library serves as a repository for historical documents.
• They created a digital repository for their research.
• The repository contains valuable data for researchers.

Repository in a sentence

Periodicals

Definition: Plural of periodical; multiple publications released at regular intervals.

• The school library offers various periodicals for students.
• He enjoys reading periodicals on current events.
• Many periodicals focus on specific topics like health or science.

Archiving

Definition: the process of storing and preserving documents

• Archiving old records is important for history.
• She is responsible for archiving the files.
• We learned about archiving in our computer class.

Archiving in a sentence

Classification

Definition: The process of arranging or organizing things into groups based on shared characteristics.

• Scientists use classification to categorize living organisms.
• In school, we studied the classification of animals.
• Understanding classification helps in organizing information.

Classification in a sentence

Accessibility

Definition: The quality of being easy to reach or use.

• The website improved its accessibility for all users.
• Accessibility is crucial for people with disabilities.
• They focused on accessibility in their new building design.

Accessibility in a sentence

Information Literacy

Definition: The ability to find, evaluate, and use information effectively.

• Information literacy is important for academic success.
• She learned information literacy skills in her library class.
• Understanding information literacy helps with research.

Databases

Definition: Organized collections of data that can be easily accessed and managed.

• Databases are essential for storing and retrieving information.
• She learned how to use databases for her research.
• Understanding databases is important for data management.

Systematic

Definition: methodical and organized

• She took a systematic approach to her studies.
• His systematic method helped him finish the project.
• A systematic review can provide valuable insights.

Systematic in a sentence

Curatorial

Definition: Related to the management and organization of collections in museums or galleries.

• Curatorial work involves selecting and displaying art pieces.
• He is interested in curatorial practices for cultural institutions.
• Understanding curatorial roles enhances appreciation of art.

Curatorial in a sentence

Digitization

Definition: the process of converting analog information into digital form

• Digitization of books makes them accessible online.
• The library is focused on digitization of its archives.
• Understanding digitization can enhance information sharing.

Digitization in a sentence

Bibliophile

Definition: A person who loves or collects books.

• He is a bibliophile with a large personal library.
• The bibliophile enjoyed visiting book fairs.
• Being a bibliophile can lead to discovering rare books.

Bibliophile in a sentence

Archival

Definition: Related to the preservation of historical documents and records.

• Archival research helps uncover important historical information.
• She worked in an archival library to preserve old records.
• Understanding archival materials supports historical studies.

Archival in a sentence

Bibliographic

Definition: Related to the details of books and publications.

• He prepared a bibliographic list for his research.
• Bibliographic information is essential for citations.
• She learned how to create bibliographic entries in class.

Bibliographic in a sentence

Provenance

Definition: the origin or source of something

• The provenance of the painting was verified.
• She studied the provenance of ancient artifacts.
• Knowing the provenance helps understand its value.

Provenance in a sentence

Accession

Definition: The act of joining or adding something, often in a formal way.

• The accession of new members to the club was celebrated.
• Her accession to the team brought fresh ideas.
• The country celebrated its accession to the union.

Accession in a sentence

Anthology

Definition: A collection of literary works, such as poems or short stories.

• The anthology featured works from various authors.
• She enjoyed reading the poetry anthology.
• The school published an anthology of student writings.

Anthology in a sentence

Taxonomy

Definition: The science of classifying living organisms into groups.

• Taxonomy helps scientists organize different species.
• She studied taxonomy to better understand plants and animals.
• The taxonomy of animals is essential for biodiversity research.

Taxonomy in a sentence

Inquiry

Definition: the act of asking questions to gain information

• The teacher encouraged inquiry during the lesson.
• Her inquiry into science led to many discoveries.
• Understanding inquiry promotes critical thinking.

Inquiry in a sentence

Lexicon

Definition: The vocabulary of a language, including words and expressions.

• The lexicon of science includes many specialized terms.
• He expanded his lexicon by reading more books.
• Understanding the lexicon is key to language learning.

Lexicon in a sentence

Compendium

Definition: A collection of concise but detailed information on a particular subject.

• The book is a compendium of famous quotes.
• He created a compendium of historical events.
• The compendium includes all necessary guidelines.

Compendium in a sentence