Library Vocabulary
This is a list of words and how they are used in the context of a library.
Branch / Sucursal: A branch is one location in a library system. For example, Watsonville Main and Freedom Branch are both branches of the Watsonville Public Library.
Catalog / Catálogo: A library catalog is a database of all the items found in the library.
Check-out / Prestar: To check-out is to borrow an item from a library. Check-outs can be physical or electronic.
Database / Base de datos: A database is a large, organized, searchable collection of information. The collection can be anything from photographs in a website such as Instagram to books in the Library catalog.
Loan / Préstamo: A loan is the period of time you have to keep an item that you checked out from a library. Loans can be physical or electronic.
Patron / Cliente: Library patrons are people who have a library card and can check out resources.
Program / Programa: An activity, event, or series of events created by the library to serve their community. Library programs often include literacy activities.
Reference / Referencia: Patrons can ask librarians questions regarding materials in the library or about things not directly related to the library. Reference librarians are often available by phone, chat, and email.
Request / Pedir: Patrons can request a library item to be delivered to a specific branch for pick up. Patrons can also request to have a library item that is not available put on hold for them when it does become available.