ODLIS — Online Dictionary for Library and Information Science by Joan M. Reitz Now available in print! Order a copy of the hardcover or paperback from Libraries Unlimited.

L

LA

See: Library Association.

lab

See: instruction lab.

label

A small paper form on which information can be written, typed, or printed, designed to be affixed to the surface of an item such as a book, usually for purposes of identification or classification. Libraries use labels extensively in technical processing. They are available precut from library suppliers in various colors, shapes, and sizes, either blank or preprinted, with or without adhesive backing. Labeling tape is also available for making customized labels mechanically. When labels are used in preservation, they should be acid-free. In a broader sense, any identifying mark attached to a thing, usually to set it apart or provide information to those using or viewing it (see labeling). As ephemera, printed labels are sometimes collected for historical reasons (click here to see an example). See also: spine label.

Also refers to a piece of material (leather, parchment, or paper) not integral to the cover of a book that is printed, stamped, or engraved, usually with the title and name of author, and affixed to the spine or front cover. Click here to see a 15th-century Latin reader bearing on its front cover a small shelf mark label above a larger one that gives a partial table of contents (Royal Library of Denmark) and here to see an 18th-century gold-tooled example (Glasgow University Library, Special Collections, MS Dn-f.3). See also: lettering piece.

labeling

The controversial practice of affixing a warning mark or label to library materials considered unsuitable for young children or that contain language or images that some readers or viewers might find offensive or distressing. The practice is followed by some public television stations in the United States when programs containing adult language or graphic images of sex and/or violence are broadcast at times when children are likely to be watching. See also: content rating.

lab manual

A book of exercises that includes instructions for laboratory experiments to be carried out, usually under the supervision of an instructor, by a student enrolled in a course in the sciences, often published in softcover in conjunction with a textbook.

lacing in

In hand-binding, the attachment of the sewing supports to the boards. In early Coptic bindings, this was done by lacing the sewing threads through pre-bored holes in the edges of the boards and tying them down. In medieval bindings, thongs or cords were threaded through grooves called "channels" cut into the boards and secured with pegs or nails. When pasteboard replaced wooden boards, the cords were threaded through holes pierced in the pasteboard and the ends attached by various means. Click here to see examples (Princeton University Library) and here to see the process of sewing and lacing in demonstrated (Leaves of Gold).

lacquered binding

A 19th-century style of bookbinding in which one or both boards, usually made of wood or papier mâché, are covered in colored lacquer, usually embellished with ornamental designs. First developed in China and Japan, lacquer is a technique in which layer upon layer of resinous varnish is applied to a surface, giving it a hard, smooth, glossy appearance. Click here and here to see examples of Persian lacquered bindings, courtesy of the Royal Library of Denmark. To see other examples, try a search on the keyword "lacquered" in the British Library's Database of Bookbindings.

lacuna

A gap in a library collection, usually in the holdings on a specific subject or by a particular author, which the library seeks to fill in order to meet the needs of its users. Also refers to a missing portion of a page, or missing pages, in a manuscript or text, especially when caused by damage or normal wear and tear. Plural: lacunae.

lai

In medieval French literature of the late 12th to 13th century, a short poem composed in octasyllabic couplets. Provençal lais were love poems composed to be sung to music. Marie de France, who wrote in old French at the court of Henry II (Plantagenet), is famous for her short romantic narratives on themes drawn from Arthurian and other Celtic legends. Click here to connect to the homepage of the International Marie de France Society which provides the text of some of her lais.

The term lay was also used by English poets of the 18th and 19th centuries in reference to a song or relatively short narrative poem with romance or adventure as its central theme (example: Lay of the Last Minstrel by Sir Walter Scott).

laid in

A single sheet inserted but not glued into a book or other printed publication. Compare with integral.

Also used in a note in a catalog entry to indicate a leaflet or pamphlet included in a record album or musical publication, usually containing information about the contents.

laid paper

Handmade paper that, when held up to a light source, reveals a grid of fine, faintly translucent parallel lines intersecting at right angles, made by the chains and wires of the papermaking mold. The same effect is achieved in machine-made paper by the dandy roll, a cylinder that smoothes the surface and impresses designs such as the watermark and countermark. Although it is more elegant in appearance, laid paper is not superior to other papers in a practical sense. Compare with wove paper.

LAMA

See: Library Administration and Management Association.

Lambda Book Report

A monthly review publication published by the Lambda Literary Foundation, a nonprofit organization supporting gay and lesbian literature. The Foundation also sponsors the annual Lambda Literary Awards and Behind Our Masks, an annual writers conference. ISSN: 1048-9487. Click here to connect to the Lambda Literary Foundation.

Lambda Literary Awards

A series of literary awards given annually by the Lambda Literary Foundation in recognition of the best in lesbian, gay, bisexual and transgender (LGBT) literature. A panel of judges selected to represent the diversity of the LGBT literary community determines the finalists in over 20 categories, including lesbian fiction, gay men's fiction, lesbian poetry, gay men's poetry, lesbian mystery, gay men's mystery, drama, fiction anthology, nonfiction anthology, memoir/autobiography, biography, children/young adult, erotica, humor, romance, science fiction/fantasy, transgender/genderqueer, and so on. Also known as Lammys. Click here to connect to the official homepage of the Lambda Literary Awards to see lists of past winners.

lamination

A method of preserving old and fragile documents by adhering one or more layers of tissue, paper, or thin, transparent plastic film to one or both sides of a sheet by the application of pressure and/or heat, as reinforcement or to protect the surface by sealing it against dust and atmospheric conditions. Processes of deterioration inherent in the object are not arrested by lamination. Encapsulation is preferred in preservation work because it is reversible (click here to see an example of a document damaged by lamination). Lamination is also used in libraries to protect and enhance the appearance of dust jackets on hardcover books and the covers of paperbacks. Available in rolls from library suppliers, laminate is applied by hand or on a machine called a laminator. See also: delamination.

lampoon

A biting satire written in prose or verse, usually directed against an individual in public life or an institution that has become the object of public scrutiny. Lampoons written in verse were popular in England during the 18th century. The form was given new life in 20th century by publications such as The Harvard Lampoon and its close relative National Lampoon. Because this form of humor exposes its subject(s) to public ridicule, libel laws impose restraint. See also: caricature.

LAN

See: local area network.

landmark

A physical mark or fixed object used to designate one of the boundaries of a portion of the earth's surface. In a more general sense, any prominent object or feature on land, often of distinctive appearance or monumental size, used for convenience or by convention to determine location or direction in navigation or surveying, for example, Chimney Rock on the Oregon Trail. Compare with bench mark. See also: landmark building.

landmark building

A library facility preserved because it has architectural and historical significance, for example, the New York Public Library building at 5th Avenue and 42nd Street in Manhattan, which houses the humanities and social sciences research collections. Designed in the beaux-arts style by John Merven Carrère and Thomas Hastings and constructed on the site of the old Croton Reservoir, the building opened in the spring of 1911.

Landsat

Remote sensing images and other digital data about the land surface of the earth and surrounding coastal regions, gathered by earth-orbiting U.S. satellites maintained by the NASA Goddard Space Flight Center (click here to see Landsat images of Lake Tahoe). The U.S. Geological Survey sponsors Our Earth as Art, an online exhibition of Landsat 7 images. Click here to connect to the Landsat 7 homepage (the site includes a Glossary of terms).

landscape

The horizontal orientation of a rectangular document (text and/or image) of greater width than height. Compare in this sense with portrait. In art and photography, a picture of an expanse of inland scenery, and the branch of art dealing with such subjects. Compare with cityscape and seascape. See also: landscape binding.

landscape binding

A book with a decorative panel on the front cover bearing a picture of scenery. The horizon of the landscape is sometimes aligned with the spine to give the artist greater breadth of field. Click here to view a 19th-century example in which the scene is drawn on leather, probably using a dilute solution of copper or iron sulphate (Glasgow University Library, Special Collections, BD20-i.1).

landscape map

A topographic map of a small area done on a very large scale (usually 1 inch to 20 to 50 feet), showing all the features and details required by architects and professional landscape gardeners to plan buildings, parks, playgrounds, etc. (see this example).

land use map

A thematic map of a relatively small geographic area (county, city, town, park, forest, etc.) subdivided to show the nature of current or projected use (residential, commercial, agricultural, recreational, etc.) for the use of planners, developers, and architects, with the usage categories usually distinguished by various tints keyed to a legend. Land use maps are typically planimetric (click here to see an example, courtesy of Rockville, Maryland). To see other examples, try a keywords search on the term "land use map" in Google Image Search.

language

The system of conventional sounds and symbols developed over time by a specific human population as a means of expressing and exchanging thoughts, feelings, information, and knowledge. A language consists of a vocabulary and rules of grammar, syntax, and orthography. A national language is the official language of a specific country, used in its government publications and educational institutions. Some countries have more than one national language, for example, Canada where both English and French are officially recognized. For more information about languages, see Ethnologue: Languages of the World.

In library cataloging, the language in which a work is written or spoken is indicated by a three-letter code in the 041 (Language code) field of the MARC record. A note is made in the bibliographic record only when the language of the text is not apparent from the rest of the bibliographic description, as in the case of a film subtitled in a language different from that of the dialogue or narration. In some online catalogs and bibliographic databases, it is possible to limit search results by language. Click here to connect to the MARC Code List for Languages. Abbreviated lang. See also: artificial language, indexing language, natural language, original language, programming language, and sign language.

language code

One of a set of over 450 three-letter lowercase codes developed for use in the 041 (Language code) field and in other fields of the MARC record to indicate the modern or ancient language in which a work is written or spoken. In most cases, the code is the first three letters of the English name of the language as it appears in the Library of Congress Subject Headings list (example: ger for German) or the initial letters of the parts of the language name (goh for German, Old High). Usually only one code is provided for a given language, even if the language can be written in more than one set of characters; however, in a few cases, separate codes are provided for the same spoken language written in different characters. Some individual languages are assigned a group code because it is not practical to establish a separate code for each one (myn for Mayan languages). Click here to learn more about the MARC language codes. The Library of Congress has been designated the registration authority for processing requests for alpha-3 language codes comprising the ISO 639-2 international standard Codes for the Representation of Names of Languages.

language dictionary

A reference work that lists the words of a language in alphabetic order, providing information about orthography, syllabication, pronunciation, etymology and history, definition, standard usage, abbreviation, and sometimes synonyms and antonyms. Language dictionaries differ in period covered (example: Middle English Dictionary), extent and characteristics of the vocabulary included (slang, idioms, etc.), amount of illustration (see visual dictionary), and special features. The division of dictionaries of the English language into American and English reflects slight differences in spelling, pronunciation, and usage. For an online example, see Merriam-Webster OnLine.

A foreign language dictionary lists the words of a language in alphabetic order, with each entry including a translation of the headword into a second language. Some are divided into two parts, giving translation into a second language, and vice versa. Foreign language dictionaries are often published in pocket-size editions for the convenience of travelers. Visual foreign language dictionaries are available for some languages. YourDictionary.com provides links to dictionaries of over 280 languages. See also the Yahoo! list of language dictionaries. Compare with thesaurus. See also: polyglot dictionary.

lantern slide

A photographic or painted image on glass, often square in shape, made to be projected at public lectures and for home entertainment, using an early kind of slide projector called a "magic lantern." A 19th-century precursor of the modern slide. Click here to see a hand-colored example from the Jacob A. Riis Collection at The Museum of the City of New York. Geography at UC Berkeley also provides an online exhibition of Magic Lantern Slides as part of its Geo-Images Project.

lapsit services

Library services and programs designed for very young children (12-24 months old) in conjunction with their adult caregivers, including nursery rhymes, songs, finger plays, and storytelling, often with the aid of a flannel board or puppets.

laptop

A small, portable battery-operated personal computer, usually equipped with a built-in keyboard and mouse and a flat panel monitor that folds over the keyboard to form a cover. Modern research libraries are retrofitting study areas to provide network connectivity for patrons who use laptops, and some academic libraries are installing them in classrooms equipped for bibliographic instruction. Click here to learn more about laptops, courtesy of HowStuffWorks. Synonymous with notebook. Compare with personal digital assistant. See also: docking station.

large book

See: elephant folio and oversize.

large paper copy

A copy of a book printed on paper of larger size (and usually finer quality) than the rest of the edition, with wider margins, for use as a presentation copy or to be sold by subscription or at a higher price. Large paper copies are printed in small numbers from the same setting of type (usually following copies of regular size) for simultaneous publication. The popularity of large paper copies, first recorded in England in the 1590s, grew until well into the 19th century. According to John Carver (ABC for Book Collectors, Oak Knoll, 1995), the term was used synonymously in the 18th century with fine, royal, and imperial paper copy. Compare with large paper edition.

large paper edition

An edition printed from the same setting of type as the trade edition but on leaves of larger size (and usually paper of superior quality), making the margins wider than normal. Limited and deluxe editions are often printed in this way. Compare with large paper copy.

large print (LP)

Any type size larger than 16-point. Also refers to books printed in type larger than the 9-, 10-, or 11-point size normally used for text, mostly publications for visually impaired, elderly, and young readers (picture books, beginning readers, etc.). In AACR2, materials for the visually impaired are indicated in the general material designation, as in [text (large print)]. The National Association for Visually Handicapped has established standards for LP materials. English-language LP materials currently in print (and forthcoming) are listed in The Complete Directory of Large Print Books and Serials, a biennial reference serial published R.R. Bowker, arranged by subject (with author and title indexes) and printed in 14-point type to accommodate sight-impaired readers. Click here to connect to the AcqWeb directory of large print publishers.

large-scale map

A systematic representation on a two-dimensional surface of a relatively small land area, at a representative fraction of 1:75,000 or greater, showing a considerable amount of detail. Click here to see a topographic map of Fort Clatsop, Oregon, at 1:24,000 and here to browse topographic maps of Utah at various scales (Utah Geological Survey). Click here to learn more about map scales. Synonymous with topographic scale. Compare with intermediate-scale map and small-scale map. See also: landscape map.

laser disk

See: optical disk.

laser pointer

A small battery-operated metal wand about the size of a fountain pen, designed to project a narrow laser beam of intense red light onto a wall screen or other display surface, in daylight or a darkened room, from a distance of over 100 yards, used for emphasis by speakers during presentations that include visual aids. Most models include a pocket clip or come with a carrying case.

laser printer

An output device introduced by IBM in 1975 that uses a laser beam and electrostatic imaging to print text and/or image(s) by transferring and fusing toner to the surface of paper, one sheet at a time. Resolution is determined by the spot size of the laser. Print quality is superior to that of dot-matrix and ink-jet printers. Hewlett-Packard is currently the major manufacturer of personal laser printers, from low-end desktop models, capable of printing 4 to 8 pages per minute, to large office units, capable of printing up to 32 pages per minute. Click here to learn more about laser printers, courtesy of HowStuffWorks.

last copy

A book or other item in a library collection, of which no copy is owned by any other library, often an older title lost or weeded by all libraries save one. The uniqueness of last copies makes them a preservation priority. In January 2005, the WorldCat bibliographic database maintained by OCLC contained 24 million records for items held by a single OCLC member library. For more on this subject, see the article "Last Copies: What's at Risk?" by Lynn Connaway, Edward O'Neill, and Chandra Prabha in the July 2006 issue of College & Research Libraries.

latchkey child

A young person left unattended by a parent or other adult caregiver, at home or in a public place. In libraries, the presence and behavior of latchkey children may create disciplinary problems and pose issues of legal liability. In the United States, many libraries require children under a certain age (usually 9 or 10) to be accompanied by an adult. However, public libraries that perceive such children as an opportunity rather than a problem, and invest in programs that reach out to them, often experience a decline in problem behavior and improved community relations. The child benefits from homework help and learns to value the library as a welcoming and nurturing place.

Late Antique

Manuscripts produced during the period of Late Antiquity, extending from the reign of Emperor Constantine the Great (306-337 A.D.) to the final disintegration of the western Roman Empire in the 5th century and the establishment of the Empire in the east during the reign of Justinian (527-565). Click here to view miniatures in a 5th-century Vergil written in rustic capitals (Vatican Library, Rome).

latent image

In photography, the pattern of physical or chemical changes produced on a photosensitive medium by exposure to radiant energy, remaining invisible to the eye until made manifest in the developing process. The extent to which latent images fade on undeveloped film depends on the amount of time between exposure and developing, method of storage, and type of emulsion.

latest entry

A method of cataloging serials that have undergone title changes, in which the bibliographic description is based on the most recent issue, with the publication's relationship to earlier titles established in explanatory notes or by added entries. This convention was followed under the ALA Rules but replaced in AACR by successive entry cataloging of serials. AACR2 2002 prescribes latest entry cataloging for integrating resources. Compare with earliest entry.

latin

A general term used in typography to refer to all typefaces that have their origin in the Latin alphabet, as opposed to those that do not (Arabic, Chinese, Greek, Hebrew, etc.). Also refers to typefaces that have wedge-serifs.

latitude

In cartography, the angular distance of a point on the surface of the earth (or another celestial body) above or below the equator, ranging from 90 degrees north (90+) to 90 degrees south (90-). The angle is measured at the center of the sphere between the plane of the equator and the radius to the point on the surface, in degrees, minutes, and seconds (example: 60°, 20', 15" north). Latitude is usually indicated on a map by lines circling the earth perpendicular to its axis, called parallels, the longest being the equator. On average, one degree of latitude is equivalent to about 60 miles (97 km) on the ground, but the distance varies slightly because the earth is not a perfect sphere. Click here to learn more about latitude, courtesy of Wikipedia. Compare with longitude.

Laubach Literacy (LL)

See: ProLiteracy Worldwide.

Laura Ingalls Wilder Medal

A literary award administered by the Association for Library Service to Children (ALSC) of the American Library Association (ALA), honoring an author or illustrator whose books, published in the United States, have made a substantial and lasting contribution to children's literature over a period of years. The bronze medal was first awarded in 1954 to its namesake Laura Ingalls Wilder, author of a very popular series of children's books about the life of a pioneer family on the American prairie. From 1960 to 1980, the Wilder Award was given every five years; from 1980 to 2001, every three years; and beginning in 2001, every two years. Click here to learn more about the Wilder Medal.

lavage

Erasure by washing a sheet, roll, or leaves to remove the ink. In Antiquity and the early Christian period, the method was applied to papyrus manuscripts. To erase text written on parchment or vellum, rubbing with an abrasive such as pumice was required.

Law and Political Science Section (LPSS)

Formed in 1975, LPSS is the section of the Association of College and Research Libraries (ACRL) within the American Library Association (ALA) that serves as an educational forum and information exchange for librarians with an interest or subject expertise in law and/or political science. LPSS produces literature guides and resource reviews and sponsors conference programs and discussion groups, a newsletter, and a listserv. Click here to connect to the LPSS homepage.

law binding

A style of binding traditionally used for law books in which the boards are covered in leather or imitation leather of a medium to light color (often brown), with two contrasting bands of a darker color on the spine (usually dark red, yellow, green, blue, and/or black) and gold lettering. Click here and here to see examples.

law book

A general term for any book or set of books in which legal opinions (case law) or government statutes and regulations are published, for example, a court reporter. Law books are traditionally bound in distinctive style, with neutral covers and contrasting red, yellow, green, blue, and/or black panels and gold lettering on the spine (click here to see examples). In libraries, they are cataloged as continuing resources and usually shelved in the reference section. The term is sometimes used in the sense of any reference work concerning the law, for example, Black's Law Dictionary. See also: casebook.

law calf

Smooth, tanned, undyed calfskin, usually of a yellowish-tan color, used in 19th-century England for binding law books in a plain style, often with a title label of contrasting color (red, green, or blue) on the spine (see this example).

law library

A type of special library with a collection consisting primarily of materials for legal research and study, including case law, federal and state statutes, international legal agreements, treatises, reference works, legal periodicals, and electronic search tools (see this example). A law library maintained by a court, law school, or legal firm is normally managed by a law librarian who may hold a J.D. degree in addition to the M.L.S. or M.L.I.S. See also: American Association of Law Libraries.

Law of Scatter

See: Bradford's Law.

lay

See: lai.

layer tint

See: hypsometric tint.

layoff

Separation from employment at the discretion of the employer, usually for budgetary reasons. Libraries may be forced to reduce staff when tax revenue declines or funding is cut by the primary source(s) of support. In employment governed by collective bargaining agreement, layoffs are usually decided on the basis of seniority.

layout

In typography, the overall plan of a printed publication showing the placement of text blocks, illustrations, captions, running heads, etc., and indicating fonts and font sizes, to be followed by the printer. Also refers to the process of preparing copy for typesetting and to the preliminary rough sketch and eventually to the more precise drawing called a "comprehensive" showing the general appearance of a printed page, usually done on special paper ruled in 12-point squares. Compare with make-up.

Also, the manner in which components of an interface or online document, such as a Web page, are arranged by the designer for viewing on the user's computer screen.

LBI

See: Library Binding Institute.

LC

See: Library of Congress.

LCC

See: Library of Congress Classification.

LCCN

See: Library of Congress Control Number.

LCD

Liquid crystal display, a technology used in display panels and projectors that enables the output from a computer or other digital device to be projected onto a large screen. LCD technology is used in laptops because it requires less power than a conventional light-emitting monitor and occupies less space, allowing a flat panel to be used as the display unit; however, an external light source is required (ambient light is usually sufficient). Click here to learn more about LCDs, courtesy of HowStuffWorks.

LCRI

See: Library of Congress Rule Interpretations.

leader

The first field (001) of a MARC record, consisting of 24 character positions, each of which encodes data of a specific type, mostly information of use to catalogers, such as record status (new, corrected or revised, deleted, etc.) and descriptive cataloging form (AACR2, ISBD, etc.), or codes to facilitate record interpretation (character coding scheme, base address of data, etc.). Cataloging software usually provides prompts or windows to assist catalogers as they enter information in the leader. See also: fixed field.

Also refers to the strip of unprocessed black and white film stock or perforated plastic or vinyl added at the beginning of a filmstrip, motion picture, or roll of unexposed film to protect against damage in threading. Leader is also used to separate short films or shots that are combined on a single roll. According to The Film Preservation Guide (National Film Preservation Foundation, 2004), leaders are available in various colors, customized for different uses. Preservationists often use white leader at the head of a roll to provide a suitable background for labeling and a different color at the tail. Labeling on leader should include (1) a short title or accession number, (2) a location code, (3) reel number for a multi-reel work, and (4) whether the leader is attached to the head or tail of the roll. When film leader is replaced, any information on the older leader should be recorded and the notes stored with the roll inside the film can. Compare with trailer. Click here to learn more about film leaders, courtesy of the National Film and Sound Archive of Australia.

leaders

In typesetting, a line of dots or dashes intended to direct the reader's eye across the page, as from a chapter title listed in a table of contents to the appropriate locator (usually a page number) in the right-hand column. In publishing, the books on a publisher's frontlist, considered to have the most sales potential, as distinct from midlist titles.

leading

In printing, the amount of vertical space allowed by the typesetter between lines of type in a column or on a page. Pronounced "ledding."

lead-in title

Backlisted titles offered in a book club mail advertising campaign at very low prices or no charge, as an inducement to potential subscribers or as bonuses or dividends to existing members. Synonymous with introductory title.

lead-in vocabulary

In a thesaurus of the controlled vocabulary used in indexing the literature of an academic discipline (or group of disciplines), cross-references are included to direct or "lead" the user from synonyms and quasi-synonyms to the authorized subject heading or descriptor, usually by means of an instruction to see or USE the preferred term. A thesaurus containing such cross-references is said to have syndetic structure.

lead point

See: plummet.

lead story

The most important item of news reported in an issue of a newspaper or newsmagazine, or in a television news broadcast, usually printed on the front page, featured on the front cover, or introduced in the opening minutes of the program. The lead story is usually longer and more detailed than the other stories published in the same issue or broadcast in the same program.

lead term

In indexing, the first word in a heading or content descriptor, which determines the position of the heading when it is listed or filed in alphanumeric sequence. In headings of two or more words, conventional word order is sometimes inverted to bring the most significant word into first-word position (example: Law, Spartan instead of Spartan Law).

leaf

One of the units formed when a sheet or half-sheet of paper, parchment, etc., is folded in half to become part of a book, pamphlet, or periodical. Of single thickness, each leaf consists of two pages, one on each side, either blank or printed. In early books, the leaves were consecutively numbered only on the recto or right-hand page of an opening (foliation), but in modern book production, the recto usually bears an odd page number and the verso or left-hand page an even number (pagination), a convention sometimes reversed in reprints. As a general rule, blank leaves are not numbered. Rare books and manuscripts are sometimes broken up and sold as individual leaves (see the Donald Jackson Collection of Original Leaves, courtesy of the Tutt Library, Colorado College). See also: double leaf and folio.

Also refers to very thin sheets of silver or gold used to highlight lettering or ornamentation stamped on a book cover or applied to one or more of the edges of a bound volume to give the appearance of luxury. See also: burnish.

leaf book

A book written about another book, with a leaf from the subject volume included (adapted from Jane Greenfield's ABC of Bookbinding, Oak Knoll/Lyons Press, 1998).

leaf casting

The mechanical process of filling in one or more missing portions of a leaf or sheet of paper by applying a paper pulp slurry, usually made from matching paper fibers but sometimes in a different color to highlight the areas of replacement, a conservation technique requiring considerable skill if damage to the original document is to be avoided. More economical than hand repairs, leaf casting has the added advantage of requiring little or no use of adhesives. Click here to see the process illustrated, courtesy of the Indiana Historical Society's conservation lab. Also spelled leafcasting.

leaflet

A publication of two to four pages, unstitched and unbound, usually folded or stapled together, as in the program notes distributed to attendees at a performance. Also refers to a thin pamphlet of comparatively small size.

leak

In information systems, the loss of confidentiality that results when security precautions are breached. When sensitive information falls into unauthorized hands, the consequences can be devastating for those who have a stake in maintaining secrecy, but leaks can also be intentional (to divert attention, preempt criticism, etc.).

lean matter

A printer's term for copy that takes longer than usual to set because it does not contain much white space, for example, a scholarly essay or treatise, as opposed to dialogue or poetry. The opposite of fat matter.

learning curve

A graphical representation of the rate at which learning occurs, particularly in a new environment or subject area. A learning curve may be steep, moderate, or gentle, depending on the amount of new knowledge to be acquired, its complexity, and the time available to complete the task.

learning management system (LMS)

An integrated set of online applications providing access to course assignments and materials, tests and test results, e-discussion and chat space, and other features in support of education, particularly in colleges and universities. Learning management systems offer some functions that overlap with library systems, such as the provision of electronic reserves, and their content may overlap with that delivered through library portals.

learning resources center (LRC)

Synonymous in the United States with school library.

learning style

See: cognitive style.

leased line

See: dedicated line.

leasing plan

See: book lease plan.

leather

The skin of an animal (calf, sheep, goat, pig, deer, seal, alligator, snake, etc.) preserved by tanning for a variety of uses, such as bookbinding. Often dyed an attractive color, the leather used on book covers may also be embellished with inlay and/or tooling, blind or highlighted in gold or silver. Leather-bound books were common up to the mid-19th century (click here to see a selection, courtesy of the Glasgow University Library). Today, cloth, paper, and synthetic materials are used to cover the boards of trade books published in hardcover. Real leather is used only in hand-binding. Compare with imitation leather and leatherette. See also: ooze leather, skiver, and tanning.

leather-bound

A book bound, fully or partially, in the processed skin of an animal, with the back of the spine always in leather. Medieval manuscripts and early printed books were bound in wooden boards covered in leather, parchment, or vellum. In modern book production, leather is used mainly in hand-bound books of fine quality. Leather bindings can be plain or tooled, with the tooling left blind or in gilt. To see a selection of leather bindings, try a keyword search on the term "leather" in the British Library's Database of Bookbindings. Compare with imitation leather and leatherette. See also: alligator, calf, goatskin, pigskin, shagreen, sheepskin, and snakeskin.

leather dressing

A compound which, when applied judiciously, is believed to enhance the appearance and suppleness of leather. According to the Library of Congress, the application of various preparations was once considered useful in extending the life of leather bindings, but experience has shown that the benefits are mainly cosmetic and that dressings actually do more harm than good when applied by persons lacking professional expertise because they can cause leather to dry out over time and become stiff and/or darkened or stained. When too much dressing is applied, or it is applied too often, the surface may become sticky and attract particles of dust. Leather dressings have also been known to migrate through dry leather to stain the text pages of books.

leatherette

A durable bookbinding material available in various colors, made from strong machine-glazed paper, embossed to give the appearance of a leather surface.

LEC

See: Limited Editions Club.

lectern

A reading stand in a Christian church, especially one from which portions of the Scriptures are read aloud during services. In a more general sense, any sloping stand or desk, usually with a narrow ledge called a book stop along the bottom edge to support an open book or sheaf of papers, allowing the reader free use of the hands. In medieval manuscript illustrations, lecterns are shown in a variety of designs and styles. Click here to see an evangelist portrait of St. Matthew writing at a floor model in a 12th-century German Gospel book (Getty Museum, Ludwig II 3), here to see him seated before a table-top model in a 10th-century Greek Gospel book (British Library, Burney 19), and here to see St. John seated before a swivel model in a Gospel book of the 13th century (British Library, Burney 20). To see modern examples, try a keyword search on the term "lectern" in Google Image Search. See also: book wheel.

lectionary

A liturgical book containing lessons and selections from the Bible, also indicating the sequence in which they are to be read by the congregation in services throughout the year. In the Catholic Church, the lectionary is used in the Mass and for Matins of the Divine Office. Click here to see a leaf from a 12th-century Italian lectionary (Cary Collection, Rochester Institute of Technology) and here for a leaf from an early 9th-century Italian example, copied on purple vellum (Library of Congress), or browse the 16th-century Tongerloo Lectionary (Morgan Library, MS M.5). To see modern examples, try a keyword search on the term in Google Image Search.

ledger

A type of blankbook, often ruled in columns for use in bookkeeping to record accounts, usually containing entries for credits, debits, and other commercial transactions. Click here to see a 1920s example from B.F. Keith's Theater in Indianapolis, courtesy of the Library of Congress. Compare with daybook.

ledger binding

See: stationery binding.

legal value

See: archival value.

legend

A visual aid that explains to the reader the symbols used on a map, chart, or diagram. Click here to see an example for an Ohio transportation map and here to see one for a geologic map of Texas, linking formations to a geologic time scale. Synonymous in this sense with map key. Also refers to the identifying title or explanatory caption printed beneath an illustration or on a coin or medal.

Also, a traditional story of a well-known event, sometimes concerning the life of a national folk hero, which may contain fictional or supernatural elements, but is considered to have some basis in historical fact (example: Paul Bunyan). Click here to learn more about legends. Compare with folktale and myth.

legibility

The cumulative visual effect of the physical appearance of written or printed text, which allows the human eye to comprehend a few words or phrases on a page quickly and accurately. Legibility depends on the size, shape, and darkness of the characters, their distance from each other, length of line, and the amount of spacing between words and between lines. Other factors determining legibility are the color and finish of paper, available illumination, and the experience and skill of the reader. In printing, legibility of text is enhanced by no more than 13 words per line, adequate type size (9- to 12-point), margins of sufficient width and balance, clarity of type, density of ink, and paper finish that reduces glare (matte rather than smooth). Compare with readability.

legible

Writing or printing that can be easily read or deciphered by the human eye, the opposite of illegible. Legibility is an important consideration in the design of printed material. Compare with readable.

legislative history

A chronological account of the steps involved in the passage of a bill into law, including events leading up to the first draft, committee hearings, lobbying efforts, floor debates, compromises, final vote, enactment, and any subsequent history, such as a presidential veto or court test. See also: legislative reference service.

legislative reference service

An agency or unit of government that provides research assistance to legislatures and other government agencies on issues related to proposed legislation. This function may include assistance in drafting and indexing bills. At the federal level, legislative reference service is provided by the Congressional Research Service (CRS), a division of the Library of Congress. See also: legislative history and THOMAS.

lemma

A passage (or passages) excerpted from a text, appearing as the heading or theme of a marginal gloss or annotation, usually underlined to set them apart from the gloss or commentary. Also, the argument or subject of a literary composition, given as a heading or title. In logic, a secondary premise, used to demonstrate the truth of the primary proposition. Plural: lemmata.

lender string

In interlibrary loan, a list of the OCLC symbols of up to five libraries, selected by the borrowing library from the holdings display in the OCLC WorldCat database as potential lenders for an item requested by a library patron. OCLC queries the first prospective lender on the list, and if the request is not filled, the second is automatically queried, and so on. Should the request remain unfilled after the first five libraries have been contacted, the borrowing library has the option of selecting a second string of five new OCLC symbols from the holdings list and repeating the process.

lending library

A library or other institution that sends materials on request to another library, usually via interlibrary loan. Compare with borrowing library. See also: net lender.

lenticular film

A special 16mm motion picture film manufactured by Eastman Kodak from 1928 until the introduction of Kodachrome in the mid 1930s. Lenticular film is normal black and white stock on which the base is embossed lengthwise with a series of ridges, called lenticules, that act as semi-cylindrical lenses. During exposure, a color-banded lens (in conjunction with the lenticules) generates three black and white images in the emulsion layer. When projected through a three-color projection lens, the black and white images are combined into a single full-color image. Processed lenticular film appears to be normal black and white film but upon close examination, raised bands can be seen on the base side running parallel to the edges. Without the special projections lens, it projects a black and white image. Lenticular film can also be identified by the word KODACOLOR printed along the film edge.

LES

See: Literature in English Section.

letter

In writing and printing, a character or symbol used to represent a speech sound. All the letters of a written language constitute its alphabet. The Latin alphabet used to write the English language contains 26 letters, each with an uppercase and lowercase form. See also: initial letter and lettering.

Also refers to a handwritten, typewritten, or printed personal or business message of one or more persons, usually enclosed in an envelope and delivered to the addressee by post or courier. Click here to see the historic letter written in 1804 by Captain Matthew Flinders from Ile de France (Mauritius) to his patron, Sir Joseph Banks, reporting on the circumnavigation and exploration of "Terra Australis" (National Library of Australia). Click here to read the last letter of Mary, Queen of Scots (National Library of Scotland). Compare with correspondence. See also: autograph letter signed, circular letter, cover letter, epistle, letter signed, letter to the editor, missive, and typed letter signed.

letterbook

A type of manuscript common in the 16th and 17th centuries containing handwritten copies of letters from the author to the recipient and originals of the replies. Copies of pertinent letters from third parties, diary entries, financial records, and memoranda might also be included. Click here to view a 17th-century volume of correspondence related to the Scotsman James Sharp (Glasgow University Library, Special Collections, MS Gen. 210).

letter-by-letter

A method of alphabetization in which any punctuation marks and divisions are ignored in a heading consisting of two or more words, and the heading treated as a single word ("newt" appearing before "New Testament"). The Chicago Manual of Style recommends a modification in which the method is followed only to the first comma or parenthesis, to keep identically spelled surnames together. Most dictionaries are alphabetized in this fashion. Synonymous with all through and follow through. Compare with word-by-word.

lettered

Inscribed with letters of the alphabet, especially the title on the spine of a book, usually done in letters of contrasting color or gilt. Lettered direct means inscribed directly on the material covering the spine, not on a label attached to the spine. Also refers to a person who is educated or literate. Compare with unlettered.

letterform

The shape of the uppercase and lowercase letters of the Latin alphabet, especially with reference to their evolution in calligraphy and their design in typography. Also spelled letter form. For a brief but informative treatment of the history of letterforms, read the entry on "Letters" in Geoffrey Glaister's Encyclopedia of the Book (Oak Knoll/British Library, 1996). See also the section on letterforms in Cornell University Library's online exhibition From Manuscript to Print: The Evolution of the Medieval Book.

lettering

The act of making letters or of inscribing with letters, numerals, and special characters, especially by hand-printing, painting, or calligraphy. In binding, the process of marking the cover of a volume with the title, name of author, volume number, etc. To remain sharp and legible, lettering on the outside of a book should be applied with sufficient pressure, temperature, and dwell to ensure permanent adhesion of the stamping foil to the covering material.

lettering piece

A label, usually of thin leather, often of contrasting color, affixed to the spine of an old book, on which information about the contents (author, title, etc.) is given in lettering.

letter picture

A graphic design in which written or printed words or the letters of a word are arranged on the page or sheet to form a recognizable picture or a decorative pattern or figure. Click here to see a late-15th-century example by the printer Aldus Manutius and here to see a contemporary example. Synonymous with calligram.

letterpress

The process of printing from a raised surface, first used in China to print entire texts or portions of text from a carved block, then in Europe to print illustrations from wood blocks. The process of printing from raised metal movable type was invented by Johann Gutenberg, probably at Mainz, Germany, in the mid-15th century. In relief printing, the printing surface (block, plate, or type) is coated with ink that is transferred directly to paper or some other flat surface by the application of pressure. After the press run, type may be left standing for subsequent reuse or broken up for use on another job. Letterpress was used for books until the mid-20th century when it was superseded by offset lithography. Library and Archives Canada provides information about Letterpress Printing Technology and the Briar Press Museum also provides images of letterpress machines. Also spelled letter-press. See also: intaglio.

letters

The handwritten, typewritten, or printed personal or business messages of one or more persons. A letter is usually enclosed in an envelope and sent to the addressee by post or courier. In AACR2, the collected letters of a single person are cataloged under the name of the writer, with an added entry for the editor or compiler. If the letters are addressed to the same person, an added entry is also made under the name of the addressee. The collected letters of several writers are cataloged under the name of the editor or compiler. Compare with correspondence.

Also refers to learning or knowledge in a general sense (as in the phrase "arts and letters") and to the profession of the writer, with reference to literary works.

letter signed (LS)

A manuscript letter signed but not written in the hand of the correspondent. Compare with autograph letter signed. See also: typed letter signed.

letters journal

A scholarly periodical devoted to publishing short articles containing interim reports of research results, usually in a specific academic field, including negative and inconclusive results likely to be of interest to other researchers (example: the weekly Applied Physics Letters). Speedy review and publication processes are essential for this type of journal.

letters patent

A written document of record issued by a government or monarch to confer a right, privilege, title, office, or property on a person or corporate entity, in a manner that is open for inspection.

letter to the editor

A letter, usually printed at the discretion of the publisher on the editorial page of a newspaper or magazine, in which a reader expresses his or her views on the subject of a previously published article or editorial, or on the editorial policy of the publication in general, sometimes followed by a brief response from the editor(s).

levant

A high-quality open-grained morocco leather made from the skin of the Angora goat, used in bookbinding to achieve an elegant, highly polished look.

level of description

In library cataloging, the amount of detail given in a bibliographic record, indicated by the number of data elements included in the bibliographic description of the item. Anglo-American Cataloguing Rules specify three distinct levels of description: full level, core level, and minimal level.

lexicography

The process of writing and compiling a dictionary or glossary, including the selection of terms and the preparation of an entry for each word, giving the correct spelling, pronunciation, derivation, one or more definitions, and sometimes antonyms and examples of usage. The person who writes or compiles such a work is a lexicographer. Click here to learn more about lexicography, courtesy of Wikipedia, or browse the archive of the International Journal of Lexicography. Compare with lexicology.

lexicology

The field of study devoted to the origins, form, and meaning of words in any language. Compare with lexicography. See also: etymology.

lexicon

Originally, a dictionary of Greek, Hebrew, Arabic, or some other literary language. In modern usage, a specialized dictionary or glossary of the words of a specific subject or field of study. In linguistics, a list of all the lexical items (lexemes) in a given language. See also: vocabulary.

LHRT

See: Library History Round Table.

liaison

In academic libraries, librarians are often assigned one or more academic departments for which they serve as intermediary between the teaching faculty and the library. Liaison responsibilities may include bibliographic instruction, collection development (including reference and electronic resources), current awareness, and faculty training in the use of library resources. Most liaison librarians have academic preparation or at least some level of expertise in the disciplines they serve.

lianhuanhua

Chinese for "linked pictures." A term coined in the 1920s to describe a form of illustrated story book produced in urban China following the introduction of modern printing technology in the late 19th century. Of small size (three to five inches in height), lianhuanhua display one picture per page in continuous narrative sequence. Although their content was often based on traditional fiction, folklore, or popular culture (motion pictures, popular drama, etc.), they served a market similar to that which exists for cartoons and comic books in the West. Click here to learn more about lianhuanhua, courtesy of the Ohio State University Cartoon Research Library.

LibDex: The Library Index

A searchable worldwide online directory of library homepages, Web-based OPACs, Friends of the Library homepages, and library e-commerce affiliates, maintained by Peter Scott of the University of Saskatchewan Library. Click here to connect to LibDex. See also: Libweb.

libel

A written or printed statement or representation intended to expose a person, group of persons, or corporate entity to public ridicule or contempt, or to damage in some other way the reputation of its subject, or cause pecuniary loss. Also refers to the act of publishing such a statement. Burden of proof is on the plaintiff to show that actual damage occurred. In the United States, the constitutional guarantee of freedom of speech and press provides no protection for libelous statements. Slander is defamatory words spoken but not published in writing or in print.

libelli

Booklets originally created as discrete units, subsequently bound together within a larger composite manuscript. Medieval tropes (musical and textual additions to liturgical chants) were often produced in this form. French: livret.

LIBER

See: Ligue des Bibliothèques Européennes de Recherche.

Liber Vitae

A book in which the names of the members (familiares), benefactors, and associates of a monastic house were recorded to facilitate their remembrance in its services and prayers and in the expectation that once entered in the earthly book, the same names would also be inscribed in the celestial "Book of Life" to be opened at the Day of Judgment. Michelle P. Brown notes in Understanding Illuminated Manuscripts (Getty Museum/British Library, 1994) that the Liber Vitae was customarily read with the martyrology and the obituary at the canonical hour of prime, and the manuscript sometimes contained depictions of the individuals listed. Click here to browse the 11th-century Liber Vitae of Newminster and Hyde illustrated with lightly tinted ink drawings (British Library, Stowe 944).

LibQUAL

A suite of services designed to enable libraries to solicit, track, understand, and act upon the opinions of library users concerning quality of service. Developed with grant support from the U.S. Department of Education's Fund for the Improvement of Postsecondary Education (FIPSE) and offered by the Association of Research Libraries (ARL), LibQUAL includes a rigorously tested Web-based survey bundled with training to help libraries assess and improve library services, change organizational culture, and market the library. Click here to learn more about LibQUAL.

libraire

See: stationer.

librarian

A professionally trained person responsible for the care of a library and its contents, including the selection, processing, and organization of materials and the delivery of information, instruction, and loan services to meet the needs of its users (to see examples, try a keyword search on the term in Google Image Search). In the online environment, the role of the librarian is to manage and mediate access to information that may exist only in electronic form.

In the United States, the title is reserved for persons who have been awarded the M.L.S. or M.L.I.S. degree, or certified as professionals by a state agency. Also refers to the person responsible for the overall administration of a library or library system, synonymous in this sense with library director. Classified by functional specialization (acquisitions librarian, cataloger, instruction librarian, reference librarian, serials librarian, systems librarian, etc.), librarians in the United States are organized in the American Library Association (ALA) and its affiliates and the Special Libraries Association (SLA). Compare with support staff. See also: Librarian of Congress, renaissance librarian, scholar-librarian, and solo librarian.

librariana

A catch-all term for the body of information, works, and memorabilia that has accumulated on the subject of libraries, librarians, and related topics, particularly items of historical interest. Click here to browse a collection of librariana, courtesy of The Library History Buff. See also: Molesworth Institute.

Librarian of Congress

An office created in 1802, two years after the Library of Congress was established, for which no qualifications were specified. The position is filled by presidential appointment for no fixed term. In 1897, the Senate acquired the power to approve the president's nomination, and the Librarian of Congress was given the authority to appoint the staff of the Library of Congress and to establish its rules and regulations. In the 20th century, a precedent was established for appointing the Librarian of Congress for life. Click here for biographical information about the Americans who have served as Librarian of Congress since the office was created.

librarianship

The profession devoted to applying theory and technology to the creation, selection, organization, management, preservation, dissemination, and utilization of collections of information in all formats. In the United States, often used synonymously with library science. A person formally trained or certified to perform such services is a librarian. Librarianship is a very old profession. The founder and organizer of the great classical library at Alexandria (c. 300 B.C.) was Demetrius of Phaleron. The ancient Egyptians and Babylonians probably had librarians to organize and preserve their extensive collections of papyrus scrolls and clay tablets. See also: comparative librarianship.

Librarians' Internet Index (lii.org)

A searchable, annotated subject directory of over 11,000 Internet resources, carefully selected and evaluated by librarians for users of public libraries. A resource used by both librarians and the general public, lii.org prides itself on its commitment to quality. Each site is reviewed at least twice (sometimes three or four times) before it is added. The index includes a "Quick Facts & Ready Reference" section and a sidebar featuring new sites and special themes.

The resource began in 1990 as the bookmark file of reference librarian Carole Leita, then migrated to the Berkeley Public Library's Web server in 1993 under the title Berkeley Public Library Index to the Internet. In 1996, work began with Roy Tennant at Digital Library SunSITE to include a search engine. Library of Congress subject headings were also added and a virtual workspace created to facilitate team-based record creation and maintenance. In 1997, the index was moved to Berkeley SunSITE and given its current name. Since October 2000 much of the operational funding for lii.org has been provided by LSTA grants administered by the California State Library, but American Libraries recently reported that state funding will be reduced by 50% beginning on July 1, 2006. Click here to connect to lii.org.

Libraries Serving Special Populations Section (LSSPS)

The section of the Association of Specialized and Cooperative Library Agencies (ASCLA) within the American Library Association (ALA) whose members are committed to improving the quality of library service for people with special needs, including users who (1) are elderly; (2) have vision, hearing, mobility, or developmental impairments; and/or (3) are in correctional institutions, health care facilities, and other types of institutions. LSSPS is also committed to improving library service for families and professionals working with people who have special needs. Click here to connect to the LSSPS homepage.

library

From the Latin liber, meaning "book." In Greek and the Romance languages, the corresponding term is bibliotheca. A collection or group of collections of books and/or other print or nonprint materials organized and maintained for use (reading, consultation, study, research, etc.). Institutional libraries, organized to facilitate access by a specific clientele, are staffed by librarians and other personnel trained to provide services to meet user needs. By extension, the room, building, or facility that houses such a collection, usually but not necessarily built for that purpose. Directory information on libraries is available alphabetically by country in World Guide to Libraries, a serial published by K.G. Saur. Two comprehensive worldwide online directories of library homepages are LibDex and Libweb. See also the UNESCO Libraries Portal. Abbreviated lib. See also: academic library, government library, monastic library, new library, proto-library, public library, special library, and subscription library.

Also, a collective noun used by publishers, particularly during the Victorian period, for certain books published in series (example: Everyman's Library).

Also refers to a collection of computer programs or data files, or a set of ready-made reusable routines, sometimes called modules, that can be linked to a program at the time it is compiled, relieving the programmer of the necessity to repeat the code each time the routine is used in a program.

library administration

The control and supervision of a library or library system, including planning, budgeting, policymaking, personnel management, public relations, and program assessment, with responsibility for results. Also refers collectively to the persons responsible for managing a library, usually a board of trustees or dean, library director, and his or her immediate staff. See also: Library Administration and Management Association.

Library Administration and Management Association (LAMA)

A division of the American Library Association (ALA) founded in 1957, LAMA has a membership consisting of library directors and persons with an interest in improving the quality of administration and management in libraries of all types. LAMA publishes the quarterly journal Library Administration & Management (LA&M). Click here to connect to the LAMA homepage.

library advisory committee

A standing committee at an academic institution, composed of members of the teaching faculty, library professionals, and students who have an interest in library services, charged with advising the library administration on policies and decisions affecting teaching and learning, such as library hours and the allocation of funds to academic departments for new acquisitions, and with acting as library advocates in institution-wide decision-making (see this example). Not all colleges and universities have such a committee. Synonymous with faculty library advisory committee.

library advocate

A person who appreciates libraries and their role in society to the extent of speaking and acting publicly in their support, especially when funding and the freedom to read are at stake. The American Library Association takes an active role in training library advocates by maintaining an Issues and Advocacy section at its Web site. The Advocacy Institute offers workshops on advocacy skills and strategies at the annual and midwinter ALA conferences. See also: Friends of the Library, library trustee, and National Library Legislative Day.

Library and Archives Canada/Bibliothèque et Archives Canada

The combined national library and national archives of Canada, established in 2002 by the merger of the National Library of Canada (NLC/NIC) and the National Archives of Canada. Located in Ottawa, the new institution is charged with acquiring, preserving, and facilitating access to the documentary heritage of Canada in all its forms for present and future generations of Canadians. Its collections are focused primarily on Canadiana (works written by, about, o