ALA——The American Library Association is the national professional association for librarians.

AV——Audio Visual equipment and materials are those that make use of both hearing and sight.

BadgerLink——BadgerLink is a project of the DPI to provide increased access to information resources for Wisconsin residents in cooperation with the state's libraries. It includes links to the full-text of over 2,000 periodicals and other information resources, including WISCAT. All schools and public libraries have access. State residents also have access at home via their Internet provider.

Bar Code——A code representing characters by sets of parallel bars of varying thickness and separation that are read optically by a scanner. Each patron card and item owned by a library contains a unique bar code.

Bookmobile ---- A bookmobile or mobile library is a large vehicle designed for use as a library. They are designed to hold books on shelves so that when the vehicle is parked the books can be accessed by readers. They usually have sufficient space that people can also sit and read books inside them. Mobile libraries are often used to provide library services to villages and city suburbs without library buildings. They also service those who have difficulty accessing libraries, with retirement homes being common stops

Cable——Any type of wire used to connect computers to networks or peripherals. CAT––5 cable is the type Eastern Shores uses to connect computers to the network.

Cataloging Service Program ---- A service of ESLS that:

1.  Provides member libraries with an OCLC-based cataloging service.

2.  Searches, matches, and edits bibliographic records from OCLC for titles added to EasiCat.

3.  Enhances short bibliographic records for items not found on OCLC.

4.  Searches, matches and edits records for locally selected websites to be added to EasiCat.

5.  Performs cleanup, maintenance and authority control of the EasiCat database by reducing duplicate bibliographic records, reducing duplicate authority records and updating bibliographic and authority records.

6.  Updates the records for the New York Times bestsellers lists and the Caldecott and Newbery Medal winners.

7.  Deletes EasiCat bibliographic records that have no items attached.

8.  Deletes library holdings from OCLC.

9.  Presents cataloging training or refresher sessions for member librarians, as needed..

10.  Monitors locally selected websites and URLs from OCLC records and check them for accuracy and appropriateness.

11.  Offers general cataloging meetings to review procedures, projects, and issues.

CD-Audio——A small optical disk, read by lasers, used to store music.

CD-R——A recordable (one time only) compact disk, generally compatible with all types of CD players.

CD-ROM——A small optical disk that uses the same technology as audio compact disks and contains software that can be installed on a personal computer.

CD-RW——Re-writable CDs that can be used like any hard drive, erased and used many times. Not all CD players can read CD-RWs.

CESA——The Cooperative Educational Service Agency, whose aim it is to work in partnership with the school districts to provide leadership and to help facilitate change and continuous improvement in the schools so that all children will achieve educational excellence. Sheboygan County is located in CESA No. 7, which includes thirty-eight school districts in Northeast Wisconsin. Ozaukee is located in CESA No 1, which includes forty-four school districts in Southeast Wisconsin.

Cisco——A company that makes network equipment. The routers in Eastern Shores libraries are from Cisco.

Client Server——The data processing interaction in which a program at one site (the client) sends a request to a program at another site (the server) and awaits a response. Horizon uses this method.

CPU——The Central Processing Unit or the ““brains”” of the computer. The term also refers to the unit that houses the CPU.

CSU/DSU——Hardware that connects T1 lines and routers on the Eastern Shores wide area network. The CSU/DSU converts the data from the T1 line into a format the router can understand.

Delivery Service Program ---- A service of ESLS that:

1.  Provides three day a week delivery service by ESLS truck to member libraries and to some non-public libraries that receive interlibrary loan services.

2.  Provides an additional two days a week delivery service to public libraries in the shared library automation network.  The additional service is paid by Lakeland College and by member libraries in Ozaukee County and Sheboygan County.

3.  Maintains the delivery service vehicle in order to provide safe and dependable delivery service.

4.  Employs three drivers to share the workload of the delivery service

5.  Contracts with South Central Library System for 5 day a week statewide courier service for other materials and correspondence sent to and received from other state libraries.

DLTCL——The Division for Libraries, Technology, and Community Learning is the area of the DPI that serves the life-long learning and information needs of all Wisconsin citizens from preschoolers to senior citizens.

DOS——The disk operating system developed by Microsoft for personal computers, which has been superceded by Windows.

DPI——The Wisconsin Department of Public Instruction advances the cause of public education and public libraries in the state.

Dumb Terminal——A keyboard and screen that can be used to enter, transmit, receive, and display information from a server. It cannot process information and it is not a client.

DVD——Digital Versatile Disk, a new multi-media format that is superior to CD-ROM/Audio and videotape. Most DVD players are compatible with CDs.

EasiCat——Eastern Shores Information Catalog. The shared automated catalog of the holdings of all of the public libraries, the bookmobile, and Lakeland College.

E-book——Electronic books that readers can download from the Internet or borrow through a library and read using a handheld device.

E-Mail——An electronic message sent by one person on a network to another person on the same or a different network.

E-Rate——A discount provided by the federal government and funded by telecommunications providers that helps to supply schools and libraries with telecommunications services.

ESLS——Eastern Shores Library System.

FirstSearch ---- An interface that provides seamless electronic access to dozens of databases and more than 10 million full-text and full-image articles through a subscription to the service.  Underlying FirstSearch is the WorldCat database, the most comprehensive and up-to-date bibliographic resource available.  Users find relevant records quickly and the location of resources - in your collection or at other libraries - with the click of a button. Users can start and refine searches at one of three different skill levels.  FirstSearch integrates into current library resources.

GUI——A Graphical User Interface is a computer operating system that is based upon icons and visual relationships rather than text. Windows uses a GUI because you click on a picture rather than typing a complicated string of commands.

Hardware——The physical, electrical, and mechanical parts of the computer.

HTML——Hypertext Markup Language is the computer language used to create hypertext documents, allowing connections from one document or Internet page to numerous others. HTML is the primary language used to create pages on the World Wide Web.

HTTP——Hypertext Transfer Protocol is the first part of an address (URL) of a site on the Internet, signifying a document written in Hypertext Markup Language (HTML).

Hub——Hardware into which one or more computers are connected. The Hub is connected to a router for sending data across the network.

ILL—— Interlibrary loan, the lending of materials among libraries.

ILS ----  An integrated library system, or ILS, is used to track items owned, orders made, bills paid, and patrons who have borrowed.  An ILS is usually comprised of a relational database, software to act on that database, and two graphical user interfaces (one for patrons, one for staff). Most ILSes separate software functions into discrete programs called modules, which are then integrated into a unified interface. Examples of modules include: acquisitions (ordering, receiving, and invoicing materials), cataloging (classifying and indexing materials), circulation (lending materials to patrons and receiving them back), serials (tracking magazine and newspaper holdings), and the OPAC (public interface for users). Each patron and item has a unique ID in the database that allows the ILS to track its activity.  Larger libraries use ILSes to order and acquire, receive and invoice, catalog, circulate, track and shelve materials.

Inkjet Printer——A type of printer that sprays heated ink onto paper. An inkjet printer is less expensive to purchase than a laser printer, but the cost of consumables (ink cartridges) makes it more expensive to operate.

Internet——A worldwide computer network begun in the 1960’’s by the Defense Department, IBM, and other major computer businesses to provide quick access to and from researchers. Originally used only by universities and other research centers, the Internet is now widely used by the general public.

ISP——The Internet Service Provider.

JAVA——Technology-based software that works just about everywhere——from the smallest devices to supercomputers. Java technology components do not care what kind of computer, phone, TV, or operating system they run on. They work on any kind of compatible device that supports the Java platform.

Joint County Library Planning Committee ---- A committee of 10 people (5 Ozaukee County; 5 Sheboygan County) who will create a plan for county library services - access to library services for non-libraried residents.

KMCI ----- Kettle Moraine Correctional Institution – a medium security prison in western Sheboygan County,

LAN——A Local Area Network that connects all of the computers in a limited geographic area (usually within a building) and allows users to share programs and files.

Laser Printer——A type of printer that uses toner and laser light to print images on paper. It is faster and produces better quality documents than an inkjet printer, but is more expensive.

LSTA——The Library Services and Technology Act is a federal program administered through the states. In Wisconsin, the DLTCL determines how the money should be spent and gives grants to libraries and library systems based on their project applications.

MARC——Machine Readable Cataloging, meaning that one particular type of machine, a computer, can read and interpret the data in the cataloging record. Eastern Shores uses this standard for cataloging.

MCLS ---- Manitowoc Calumet Library System – located to the north of ESLS with whom we cooperate.

MINITEX——Public libraries can obtain materials from this consortium of libraries in Minnesota, North Dakota, and South Dakota. This is usually done through WILS.

Modem——A device for converting digital information from computers to analog information so that the information can be sent across telephone lines.

Multitype — The word used to describe the academic, public, school, and special libraries in Sheboygan and Ozaukee counties who work together to share resources and improve services.

NetLibrary –  the vendor that supplies ESLS with electronic books that can be read on a computer screen.

Network——A collection of terminals, computers, and other equipment that use communication channels to share data.

NIC——The Network Interface Card is located inside a computer and allows the machine to connect to a network.

Non-libraried residents ----  residents who live in municipalities that do not operate a public library.

OCLC——Online Computer Library Center is an international database of library holdings throughout the world. It contains 44 million titles from 37,000 libraries. Eastern Shores uses OCLC to verify where to request an item that is not available in Wisconsin. Eastern Shores catalogers attach holdings of items purchased by member libraries to this database.

OCR——Optical Character Recognition is software that converts text scanned as a graphic into text a word processing program can use.

OPAC——The Online Public Access Catalog that displays the holdings for a library or group of libraries within a library. Also known as PAC

OS——The Operating System is the program(s) that manages the operations of a computer. It works with the user, the software, and the hardware. Windows is the most common operating system today.

PAC——The Public Access Catalog that displays the holdings for a library or group of libraries within a library. Also known as OPAC.

PC——A personal computer.

Polaris ---- Polaris Library Systems Inc.  is the vendor of hardware and software that operates EasiCat.

Polaris User Group or (PUG) ----  an organization of libraries that use Polaris software and meet annually to improve the use of Polaris software.

Peripherals——Computer hardware that surrounds the central processing unit, such as a keyboard, mouse, or printers.

R&LL——The Reference and Loan Library located in Madison provides reference and interlibrary loan services and materials to public library systems and state agency and institution employees and libraries.

RAM——Random Access Memory is the name given to the integrated circuits or chips that make up main memory in a computer. Information in RAM is lost when the power is turned off.

Record——A collection of data items or fields treated as one unit.

Resource Library——A member library in a system that performs specified services for other libraries in the system based on an agreement between the library and the system. The resource library for Eastern Shores is the Mead Public Library in Sheboygan.

ROM——Read-only Memory is a form of memory in which the data or programs are written to it once at the time of manufacture and always retained thereafter, even if the computer’’s power is turned off.

Router——Hardware that moves data on a network from one computer to another.

Scanner——Computer hardware designed to scan documents and graphics into computers and to read barcodes from materials or patron cards into an automation system.

Server—- The computer dedicated to handling the communications needs of the rest of the computers on a network.

Shared Integrated Library Automation System OR Shared Library Automation ---- an ILS (see above) that is shared among multiple libraries.

SLAC — Shared Library Automation Committee – the library directors (or designees) of libraries participating in EasiCat who make operational decisions for EasiCat..

SLP——The Summer Library Program is sponsored by the Eastern Shores Library System and local libraries to encourage customers of all ages to continue reading and using libraries throughout the summer months.

Software——The programs that tell the computer what to do.

SOMBAW ---- System Office Managers and Business Administrators of Wisconsin - This group meets to exchange information about the administrative and financial operations of library systems.

SQL—— Structured Query Language used to query a database, i.e. ask questions about the information stored in the system.

SRLAAW——System and Resource Library Administrators Association of Wisconsin.

Stand-alone——A PC that is not connected to a network and, therefore, cannot share files with another PC.

Switch——A faster, more advanced hub.

T1 Lines——A dedicated digital communication link provided by a telephone company that offers 1.544 megabits per second of bandwidth, commonly used for carrying traffic to and from private business networks and Internet service providers.

TAC——The Technical Advisory Committee is made up of the library directors of Eastern Shores libraries. The committee advises the system board on library system service.

TCP/IP——Transmission Control Protocol/Internet Protocol is a method of packet-switched data transmission used on the Internet. The protocol specifies the manner in which a signal is divided into parts, as well as the manner in which "address" information is added to each packet to ensure that it reaches its destination and can be reassembled into the original message.

TEACH——Technology for Educational Achievement in Wisconsin provides support for investment in educational technology and telecommunications access for schools, libraries, and colleges.

URL——Uniform Resource Locator is a text-based address used to identify specific resources on the Internet, such as web pages. The Eastern Shores URL is http://www.esls.lib.wi.us

Videoconference——When three or more people at two or more sites communicate interactively. The participants can both see and hear the others.

WAN——A Wide Area Network that uses phone lines, microwaves, satellites, or a combination of communication channels to connect several locations. The Eastern Shores Library System shared automation network is a WAN.

WILS——Public libraries can obtain materials from Wisconsin’s academic libraries by requesting them from Wisconsin Inter-Library Services. WILS is also the local provider of OCLC services.

WISCAT——A statewide union catalog of the over 30 million holdings at more than 1,265 Wisconsin libraries. Eastern Shores libraries use WISCAT to verify which library in the state owns an item.

WISCNET——The internet service provider for Eastern Shores.

WLA——Wisconsin Library Association is the state’s professional organization for librarians and library board members.

WLAF ---- Wisconsin Library Association Foundation----- supports the role of all Wisconsin libraries as essential institutions in a democratic society by:  Providing financial support for a variety of awards and honors to recognize and publicize the achievements of authors, libraries, librarians and library supporters in our state;  Providing scholarships to advance and support those entering and already in our profession;  Developing and funding special projects, including studies which strategically promote the value of all Wisconsin libraries.  All members of the WLA are automatically members of the WLA Foundation.

WLTF ----- Wisconsin Libraries Trustees and Friends — A division of WLA whose mission is to foster improved abilities on the part of library trustees, Friends & advocates, in order to create better libraries and library services in Wisconsin.

WorldCat ----- A union catalog which itemizes the collections of more than 10,000 libraries which participate in the OCLC global cooperative. It is built and maintained collectively by the participating libraries from more than ninety countries. Created in 1971, it contains more than 90 million different records pointing to over 1.2 billion physical and digital assets in more than 360 languages, as of November 2007. It is the world's largest bibliographic database. WorldCat serves as the foundation for many other fee-based OCLC services (such as resource sharing and collection management).

Z39.50——A set of rules governing the formats and procedures used by two computers to interact with one another.