ODLIS: Online Dictionary of Library and Information Science <http://www.wcsu.edu/ library/odlis.html> is published at the site of, and linked from, the home page of the Western Connecticut State University (WCSU) Libraries. It was originally designed in 1994 to introduce students at WCSU who were not fluent in English, or who had limited exposure to library terminology, to relevant library information. Since then, the site has expanded to include many more terms useful to librarians, other faculty, and library users.
This work is a compilation of terms relevant to libraries, librarianship, publishing, printing, book history, and computer science. According to the author’s posted description of plans, work is progressing toward expansion of the number of entries from 1,800 to 2,000 terms. Additional hyperlinks, revision of terms and definitions are mentioned as desirable. Plans are to convert the file into a searchable database. This is a site to watch. Anticipated changes and redesigning will surely yield a very professional resource.
The author, Joan M. Reitz, is Assistant Professor/Instruction Librarian at the Ruth A. Haas Library at WCSU. Ms Reitz holds a MLIS and a MA degree in European history. In addition to relying on her knowledge of library and information service, 13 encyclopedias, glossaries, indexes and dictionaries are listed as references.
Moving back and forth through this dictionary and following links to related terms is a quick process. Actually, no particular instructions are required. The organization of information on the screen is appropriate for the intended users.
ODLIS is a resource which I recommend for students. Libraries may wish to link to this site from their home page or include the URL in listings of reference materials distributed to students. Professional librarians and faculty, however, may need to consult additional resources, especially for terms related to computer science or for other technical vocabularies, such as those in publishing and printing.
