Do librarians ever confuse you with such words such as "pin" or "non-circulating "? Following is the first section of our Library Lingo. This week we deal with some of our library deparmental areas and general resources.

NPL – Nashua Public Library

Circulation Desk (Checkout Desk) - counter where library materials are checked out and returned, fines are paid, and new and replacement library cards issued. We have two Circulation Desks at NPL, one near the entrance on the top floor and one on the middle level in the MAM (Music, Art and Media) Department

MAM (Music, Art and Media) Department - Music/Art/Media is located on the middle level of the library. It offers a large collection of books, periodical and reference sources on the fine arts, architecture, music, dance, film, television, radio and photography.

Reference Desk - service area or information desk in the library where customers can get help from library staff in using the library, locating library materials, searching library databases, using library computers and their software, and answering general questions.

Reference Librarian - specialist in the field of information retrieval, and often in other subject areas as well. Reference Librarians have a Master's degree in Library and Information Science. Reference Librarians staff the Reference Desk.

Holdings - books, periodicals, CDs and other materials owned by a Library

Stacks – area of the library where most of the books are shelved.

Non-circulating - any library material that cannot be checked out. Such materials are often labeled Nashua Public Library-for Reference-Do NOT Remove from the Area. (Reference books are non-circulating. )

Reserve - placing your name on the list of people waiting for a book that is currently checked out.

Hold - service provided by the Library when an item that was reserved for a customer is held at the checkout desk for pickup.

PIN - password consisting of a 4 digit number, most often the last four digits of the telephone number you provided, allowing access to library account information such as books checked out, fines, due dates, and the ability to renew or hold an item.

Online Catalog - A computerized listing of materials (books, periodicals, CDs, etc.) owned by a particular library. The listing will display the call number and location of the material as well as such information as the author, subject and publication date. The NPL Catalog is available electronically at special computers in the library as well as from any computer by accessing our home website and selecting Books & More.

Stay tuned for next week's Library Lingo offering additional terms related to searching for materials and more.....