Library Lingo

By Carolyn DeBerard

Here at the Library, we may use terms that are unfamiliar to the general public, and that can be confusing. As always, we're here to help in any way we can! So here's a list of commonly used Library words and phrases that you may find handy when using our resources or chatting with one of our amazing staff:

Interlibrary Loan: When an item is unable to be found at any Valnet library, it is possible for us to search outside of the consortium to locate it for loan. Interlibrary Loans (aka ILLs) should be requested through the patron's home library, and can typically be renewed at least once. Each Valnet library may have slightly different ILL policies, so it's best to check with your home library should you be interested in searching for materials.

Holds: If an item you're searching for isn't at your library but is available at another one in Valnet, a hold can be placed on it and a transfer made from one library to another. Or, if an item you want is checked out, you can place a hold on it and be placed in line to check it out.

Consortium: A association of several businesses or companies; in this case, the collection of over 40 libraries that make up Valnet. These include public and school libraries in north central Idaho and southeast Washington that share resources and information to better help patrons. A Valnet library card can be used at any participating library.

ACL: Stands for Asotin County Library

Patron: Refers to individuals utilizing the library and its resources and materials.

Bookmobile/outreach vehicle: Our new outreach van is basically a mobile library, bringing our resources and materials to places around Lewiston that patrons may find easier to get to than coming to our main building downtown. It provides everything from free wifi and books to check out, to games and crafts to have fun with. Check our website for stops around town!

OPAC/Digital catalog/Catalog Computer: OPAC, short for Online Public Access Catalog, refers to the patron computers in each main area that access the digital Valnet catalog. Here you can access your account, place items on hold, and search for materials within our system.

Koha: The cataloging system Valnet uses for daily operations such as check out/in, accounts, bibliography information, and a whole slew of other things.

Fines: Fines refer to the charges accrued for overdue items.

Fees: Fees refer to replacement charges for lost or damaged items.

Guest Pass: If you do not have a library account, one of these can be printed for you to log on to a computer and release your prints at a print station.

48 hour room reservation: In order to reserve one of our meeting rooms, a request should be sent through the Room Reservation form on our website, at least 48 hours in advance.

Sensory room: Our first floor Meeting Room, also known as our Sensory room, has fluorescent light filters and can be reserved for group use. It also contains a Vibro-Acoustic Platform that can connect to your Bluetooth device, sending music and vibrations to the platform to provide a calming tactile experience for those with Autism, dementia, or other special needs. Sensory equipment can also be checked out at our 5th St Help Desk.

Courier: When items are put on hold from another library to be transferred over, our trusty couriers are the ones who get them from there to here, and back again.

Friends of the Library: A non-profit organization operated by a group of volunteers who support the library through monetary contributions and volunteer assistance. The Friends provide community outreach and help sponsor programs such as Summer Reading, as well as helping to purchase equipment and materials.

Library Board: A group of local citizens chosen to preside over the governance of the library, including finances, personnel, and policy.

Library Foundation: The Foundation assists the library by attracting resources for long-term needs. They are able to accept donations of any size and to invest those assets in short or long-term investments. Their latest completed projects include our Event Space partition and the Rooftop Gallery and Gardenspace.

Vicenarian: This fiction collection/genre explores the transition from late adolescence to early adulthood, and features characters in the 18-29 age range.

TBR list: "To Be Read" list

DNF list: "Did Not Finish" list

Database: This term generally refers to the collection of data that includes things like circulation materials, account info, and all of the other numerous pieces that make up information that the library houses.

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