Terms to Know

Boolean Logic:
The use of such words as “and,” “or,” and “not” to limit or expand searches.

Bound Periodicals:
Magazines and journals in the periodical stacks.

Call Number:
A combination of letters and numbers (alpha-numeric) used to locate books on the shelf. Nashville State uses the Library of Congress classification system.

Databases:
Journal, newspaper, and magazine article collections available online.

eBook:
A book that’s available online.

Federated Search:
A simultaneous search through several databases and/or library catalog.

Interlibrary Loan/Athena:
Books and journal articles that can be borrowed from member libraries, such as TSU, MTSU, Vanderbilt, Belmont, Nashville Public Library, and other libraries across the nation. Fill out a form at the Circulation Desk.

Microfiche:
Back issues of journals in microformat.

Netlibrary:
An ebook collection available through the library catalog. You must establish your netlibrary account on campus.

Reference:
Books, such as encyclopedias, to be used in the library only.

Reserve Textbooks:
Current textbooks that may be used for two hours at a time in the library.

Stacks:
Books on the second floor of the library that can be checked out.

To learn more about using library resources, click Next