Translating Jargon

Have you ever been confused by issues because of the language used by catalogers, reference librarians, and/or MnPALS computer experts?
We use lots of jargon. We use different types of searching from a GUI client to OPAC to OCLC.

How do we identify what is important when we don't use the same language to communicate an issue or concern? From GUI client tables to the ultimate search results a patron finds in on the Public Access Catalog...

How can we define what we need if we don't speak... Computerese, referencese, catalogerese, Alephese...?

At the reference/cataloging user group meeting for MnPALS, April 17, 2007, Sheila Hatchell, Pete McDonnell and Theresa Borchert will introduce and define terms like tables, index terms, Marc record.

We would like to continue the discussion after the meeting using a blog. We'd like to address term definitions by answering these questions.

What is... a direct index, table, fixed field, MARC record...

• Why is it important to catalogers?
• Why is it important for reference?
• Why are they important for our patrons?
• How do you search direct indexes using the ALEPH GUI Client?
• How do you search direct indexes using the OPAC?

We would also like to include links to helpful sites like

• A "friendly" publication on understanding MARC
  http://www.loc.gov/marc/umb/