Critical Thinking & Information Literacy
Across the Curriculum
Library Vocabulary for ESL Classes
A vocabulary lesson will be helpful before the actual library
instruction session.
Level 1- 4
Librarian: The professional who answers questions in the library.
Borrow or check out: To take home library materials for a short time.
Circulation: The place in the library where you can borrow or check out library materials.
Due Date: The date you return the library materials.
ESL materials: Books to help you learn English.
Foreign Language Newspapers: Newspapers in languages not English.
Feature films: Movies, such as Disney and popular films.
Media Service Center: The room where you can borrow videos and DVDs.
Viewing room (in the Media Services): The room in which you can watch movies.
Fine ($): Money you might owe for not returning books and videos on time.
Reference Materials: Materials like dictionaries and encyclopedias to help answer homework.
Only used in the library.
Biographies: Stories about famous people.
Atlas: maps.
Encyclopedia: summary of events and facts. e.g. Encyclopedia Britannia .
Fiction: Stories and novels.
Non-Fiction: True stories or facts.
Periodicals/Magazines: Materials like TIME or Consumer Reports.
Books on Tape: A story that has both book/s and tapes.
Student ID Number: The number you can use to check out library materials.
Level 4- 6 (additional vocabulary is attached with each worksheet.)
Late Fees: same as fine.
Library Catalog: A list of what the library has. e.g. books, videos, and books on tapes.
Title: Name of the book or videos.
Subject: What a book or video is about.
Author: The writer of the book and videos.
EBSCOhost: A good research tool to find newspaper and magazine articles.
Reserved items: Items that your teacher keeps for you to read in the library.
Browse: To look around the library to find books and videos.
Spine: Side of the book. It often has a unique call number.
Confusing Terms:
Library fines – it is about money one might owe not about one’s health.
Call numbers – Academic libraries and public libraries use different call number systems. The way to U.S. citizenship Call number: JK1758.H57 (academic libraries) The way to U.S. citizenship Call number: 428.6 HIR (public libraries)
Biography vs. Bibliography
Sample Dialogue Sentences for Library Users:
What is a librarian?
What are the reference materials?
How long can I keep this book/magazine?
What are the ESL books?
How much is the fine?
Can you show me where _____ is?
May I reserve a viewing room for tomorrow?
May I renew this book/magazine?
How can I use a computer in the library?
How much do I pay to make a photocopy in the library?
Library Media Center
Winter 2003
Library Media Center
3000 Landerholm Circle S.E.
Bellevue, Washington 98007-6484
