Electronic library glossaries: jargonbusting essentials or wasted resource?

Abstract

Purpose

To analyse and investigate the use of online glossaries of library terminology.

Design/methodology/approach

Analysis of glossaries; questionnaire survey.

Findings

Library glossaries broadly serve the same purpose, but there is considerable variation in their length, design, currency, and the terms they contain. Library users generally have little input into what glossaries contain and many librarians are uncertain as to whether glossaries are used or useful.

Research limitations/implications

Further research is necessary to establish whether the effort involved in creating such glossaries is worthwhile.

Practical implications

Better strategies for helping library users to understand library jargon are needed.

Originality/value

This paper highlights the increasing number of university libraries with online glossaries.

Citation

Ayre, C., Smith, I.A. and Cleeve, M. (2006), "Electronic library glossaries: jargonbusting essentials or wasted resource?", The Electronic Library, Vol. 24 No. 2, pp. 126-134. https://doi.org/10.1108/02640470610660323