ODLIS E

early adopter

A person, organization, or institution that begins using a new technology at or near the time of its introduction in the market place, rather than waiting to see if it will be successful.

early book

Books produced during the earliest periods in which human activities were recorded--on clay tablets in Mesopotamia, on papyrus scrolls in ancient Egypt, on tree bark or palm leaves in Asia, etc.--usually to record sacred prayers and rituals, traditional sagas and epics, lists of dynastic succession, laws and legal decisions, property ownership and taxation, magical incantations, astronomical observations and astrological predictions, important medical knowledge, etc. Because of the amount of labor required, early books were usually produced in single copies.

easel

A metal, wood, or plastic rack or stand on a tripod base designed to allow an open book or periodical to be displayed face-out as part of an exhibit or presentation. Large models are used to display flip charts in presentations.

e-book reader

A lightweight, portable battery-operated electronic device, similar in form to a tablet computer, designed primarily for reading books and periodicals downloaded in digital format (example: Kindle from Amazon.com). Although tablet computer screens are generally faster, e-book readers have superior text readability, achieved by the use of electronic paper display technology. Some e-book readers come with an internal dictionary, built-in Wi-Fi, text-to-speech capability, and a Web browser. Price depends on storage capacity and special features. Library compatible e-book readers, which can be used to borrow e-books from public libraries, typically support EPUB and/or PDF formats with digital rights management (DRM) protection. Abbreviated e-reader. Also spelled ebook reader.

eclogue

A short pastoral poem, or part of a longer one, traditionally in the form of a dialogue between a pair of shepherds, for example, Spenser's The Shepheard's Calendar (1579). The term lost its pastoral connotation in the 18th century and now refers to a poem in which a serious theme is developed through a monologue or dialogue, as in Rosalind and Helen (1819) by Percy Bysshe Shelley.

economies of scale

The decrease in cost of production that occurs as the extent of an operation is enlarged, for example, reduction in the cost of preparing new items for circulation, achieved by processing them in large batches rather than a few at a time, an argument used to justify centralized ordering and processing in library systems. If marginal cost (cost of producing an additional unit) is less than average cost, an economic incentive exists to produce additional output. Diseconomies of scale occur when average cost increases as output increases. In large libraries, efficiency can be enhanced by taking advantage of economies of scale. Synonymous with scale economies.

edge code

One or more symbols printed by the manufacturer along the edge of motion picture film stock to indicate production data, such as date and location of manufacture. Kodak used a series of 1-3 standardized symbols to indicate year of manufacture for both 16mm and 35mm film, repeating the codes every 20 years until the system was revised in 1982. Film copies may be marked with two or more edge codes, one for the original stock and one for each of the generations printed from it (the film is likely to have been shot sometime between the first two codes). Kodak edge codes for 8mm and 16mm film are provided online by Filmforever.org

edge painting

A picture drawn or painted on the edges of the sections of a book with its leaves closed, a common form of decoration in the Middle Ages. On some books, painting was done on all three edges but on most only on the fore-edge. Click here to see an example from the Ransom Collection at the University of Texas at Austin. In England during the late 18th and early 19th centuries, the technique was refined to make the picture visible only when the leaves were slightly fanned. In double fore-edge painting, two different images are displayed by fanning the leaves first in one direction, then in the other. Edge painting may also be concealed beneath gilt or combined with gauffering for an especially elegant effect (see this example, courtesy of the Princeton University Library).

edge title

A title written in ink on one or more edges of the sections of a book, not by the binder but by the owner. This method of marking the outside of a volume was used until the 16th century when books began to be shelved upright with the spine out, instead of flat with one of the edges facing out.

edible book

An object made of ingredients that can be consumed and digested as food, which has the appearance of a book or makes reference to a book title, format, or structure, for example, a "rare book" made of thin slices of roast beef bound together by a scallion. Click here to see examples from an edible book festival sponsored by Yale University. To see other examples, try a keywords search on the term in Google Images. The concept adds a new dimension to the phrase "eat your words."

editing

In publishing, the process of revising, correcting, and preparing for publication material submitted by an author in manuscript or typescript form, usually performed by one or more editors. Also refers to the work of gathering together and preparing for publication in a single volume or uniform set of volumes the previously published works of one or more authors, usually done by someone else. For information about the process of documentary editing, see The Papers of George Washington project at the University of Virginia. See also: documentary editing.

In data processing, the revision of a document, such as a machine-readable bibliographic record, usually by selecting from an edit menu an option to cut, copy, paste, or delete portions of text or by reformatting the text in some manner.

Film editing is the process of selecting from the total footage shot those portions that are to be included in a motion picture, then splicing them together in a sequence of scenes that tells a story (feature film) or conveys factual information about the subject (documentary). A similar process occurs in the production of audio- and videorecordings. See also: final cut and outtake.

edition

All copies of a book, pamphlet, fascicle, single sheet, etc., printed from the same typographic image and issued by the same entity in the same format at one time or at intervals without alteration. An edition may consist of several impressions in which the text and other matter are not substantially changed. In older publications, the terms impression and edition are virtually synonymous since type was broken up for reuse after the first printing. For some books, especially reference books and textbooks, the content of the original edition may be revised and the text republished under the same or an altered title. Unless the publisher states that a work is a revised edition or expanded edition, the first revision is known as the second edition. Subsequent revisions are numbered in the order in which they are published. The latest edition is the most current, but older editions may contain useful information deleted from later ones.

In the case of electronic resources, all copies of a work embodying essentially the same content, issued by the same entity, for example, a version of a Web page updated on a specific date. For unpublished items, all copies made from essentially the same master production, for example, the original and one or more carbon copies of a typescript (AACR2). For other materials, including nonprint items, all copies produced from essentially the same master copy and issued by the same entity, whether distributed by that entity or not. In a more general sense, the format (particularly the size and shape) in which a work is published.

Also applies to one of the formats in which a literary work or collection of works is published, usually for a specific purpose or market, for example, a book club edition, colonial edition, deluxe edition, export edition, library edition, limited edition, paperback edition, shorthand edition, special edition, or trade edition. It is not uncommon for a new book to be published in multiple editions, for example, Seabiscuit: An American Legend (2001) by Laura Hillenbrand, published in hardcover, trade paperback, special illustrated collector's edition, hardcover large print, audiocassette, audio CD, e-book, and audio download. In library cataloging, the edition is indicated by ordinal number and/or description in the edition area of the bibliographic description. Abbreviated ed. See also: bibliophile edition, co-edition, facsimile, reprint, and signed edition.

In newspaper publishing, one of two or more printings issued on the same day, for example, the "Early Edition" or the "Late Edition." In radio and television, a program broadcast at a particular time of day ("Morning Edition").

editor

A person who prepares for publication the work(s) of one or more other authors. An editor may be responsible for selecting material included in a collection or for preparing manuscript copy for the printer, including annotation of the text, verification of the accuracy of facts and bibliographic citations, polishing grammar and style, organizing front and back matter, etc. Periodicals and large reference works often have a general editor or editor-in-chief who supervises the work of an editorial staff. Compare with compiler. See also: author's editor.

In large publishing houses, the editing process may be divided into separate functions, each performed by a different person:

: Acquisition editor - scouts and evaluates new works for recommendation to the publisher; Manuscript editor - assists the author in developing and organizing the work; Copy editor - perfects details of grammar and style, checks the accuracy of facts, quotations, citations, etc.; Managing editor - coordinates resources required for publication and develops the publication schedule; Production editor - oversees the transition from editorial process to production (printing, binding, distribution)

Also refers to the individual in charge of the content of a newspaper, magazine, or journal, and in some cases its publication, whose name is given in the masthead. See also: editorial, editorial board, and letter to the editor.

editorialize

To put forth an opinion or position on a subject, usually with intent to persuade the listener or reader to adopt or at least consider the point of view of the speaker or writer. Also, to inject personal opinions or comments into an otherwise objective discussion or account, a technique used in essays, editorials, columns, letters to the editor, and other forms of persuasive writing but considered inappropriate in scholarly publication and in works of fiction.

effective date

The date on which a rule, policy, or agreement begins to be applied. In the case of contracts, it may be different from the date on which the agreement was signed.

e.g.

An abbreviation of the Latin phrase exempli gratia, meaning "for the sake of example."

election ticket

A slip of paper, usually long and narrow, on which are printed the names of all the candidates officially endorsed as representing a particular political party in a specific election, along with the titles of the offices sought (click here and here to see examples). As documentary evidence, election tickets are of considerable interest to historians. The term is also used collectively in reference to the candidates themselves.

electoral roll

A list of the names of people who are eligible to vote in an election, often with their street addresses. Synonymous with electoral register.

Electronic Frontier Foundation (EFF)

A group of people (lawyers, technologists, volunteers, and visionaries) who share a passionate commitment to defending digital information, innovation, and technology from attempts by government and business to restrict freedom of expression. Current key issues include censorship, copyright law, digital rights management, DMCA, e-voting, file sharing, privacy, RFID, spam, and the USA Patriot Act. Click here to connect to the EFF homepage.

electronic publishing

The publication of books, periodicals (e-journals, e-zines, etc.), bibliographic databases, and other information resources in digital format, usually on CD-ROM or online via the Internet, for in-house users, subscribers, and/or retail customers, with or without a print counterpart (example: Journal of Electronic Publishing (JEP)). Synonymous in this sense with e-publishing. Also used synonymously with desktop publishing.

electronic resource

Material consisting of data and/or computer program(s) encoded for reading and manipulation by a computer, by the use of a peripheral device directly connected to the computer, such as a CD-ROM drive, or remotely via a network, such as the Internet (AACR2). The category includes software applications, electronic texts, bibliographic databases, institutional repositories, Web sites, e-books, collections of e-journals, etc. Electronic resources not publicly available free of charge usually require licensing and authentication. Abbreviated e-resource. See also: electronic resources management.

electronic resources management (ERM)

Systems developed to assist librarians in the control of licensed third-party resources published electronically (databases, e-books, e-journals, etc.), including license management, renewal, legal use, access management, and collection development. In 2001, a small group of academic librarians began to create metadata specifications for managing electronic subscriptions and their associated titles. The group was later asked by the Digital Library Federation (DLF) to deliver formal specifications for vendors, as a replacement for various homegrown systems. Innovative Interfaces Inc. was the first library automation vendor to market an ERM software module based on the DLF specifications, and other vendors have followed suit. Compare with digital asset management.

electronic surveillance

The gathering of information from a distance, usually unobtrusively, by means of electronic devices such as cameras, hidden microphones, tape recorders, and wire taps, used primarily in crime prevention and detection and in espionage.

elegy

In classical literature, a lyric poem composed in couplets of alternating hexameter and pentameter lines, a form known as elegiac meter. In English literature through the 17th century, a song or poem of melancholy or solemn contemplation. In contemporary usage, a formal poem lamenting the death of a person (example: In Memory of W.B. Yeats by W.H. Auden) or the phenomenon of mortality in general (Elegy Written in a Country Churchyard by Thomas Gray). Compare with eulogy.

elevation

In cartography, the vertical distance of a point or object on the surface of the earth, or another celestial body, from a datum or reference surface (usually mean sea level), not to be confused with altitude, which refers to points or objects above the surface. On relief maps, differences in elevation are indicated by contours, shading, hypsometric tint, hachures, etc. The National Elevation Dataset (NED) developed by the U.S. Geological Survey is designed to provide elevation data for the United States in a seamless form with a consistent datum, elevation unit, and projection. See also: digital elevation model and vertical exaggeration.

elision

From the Latin elisio, meaning "a striking out." The omission of a vowel or silent consonant at the beginning or in the middle of a word (example: you've for you have or ne'er for never), or the omission of a vowel, consonant, or syllable in the pronunciation of a word or phrase. In orthography, the omission is indicated by an apostrophe. Compare with contraction. See also: ellipsis.

ellipsis

The use of square brackets ([ ]) or three full points (...) or a series of asterisks (****) in handwritten or printed text to indicate the omission or suppression of a word or words (four points if the omission ends a sentence). Often used to reduce the length of a quotation without altering its meaning or significance. Compare with elision.

e-mail

An abbreviation of electronic mail, an Internet protocol that allows computer users to exchange messages and data files in real time with other users, locally and across networks. E-mail requires a messaging system to allow users to store and forward messages and a mail program with an interface for sending and receiving. Users can send messages to a single recipient at a specific e-mail address or multicast to a distribution list or mailing list without creating a paper copy until hard copy is desired. Faster and more reliable than the postal service, e-mail can also be more convenient than telephone communication, but it has raised issues of security and privacy. Commonly used e-mail programs: Lotus Notes, Eudora, Sendmail, Critical Path. Most Internet service providers offer an e-mail option to their subscribers. Click here to learn more about e-mail, courtesy of HowStuffWorks. Also spelled email. See also: attachment, body, encryption, footer, header, netiquette, and SMTP.

embedded database

An informational database accessible from within another software application, such as Microsoft Office 2003, which includes a feature enabling users to highlight words or phrases in their document or select a "look up" option to open a research window and enter keyword(s) in a data entry box, then select the source or service they wish to search. Microsoft has contracted with third-party content providers to incorporate some sources (Encarta Encyclopedia, dictionaries, and a thesaurus) directly into its applications. Other providers, such as Factiva, LexisNexis, and Gale, provide some free information normally retrievable only by logging on to their proprietary sites, with additional information available for a fee. In most cases, users must pay for full-text with a credit card if they do not have access to an institutional subscription. The main advantage of embedded databases is convenience to the user.

emblem

A moral fable, allegory, or abstract quality expressed pictorially, sometimes with an accompanying motto or verse. Also, a figure of an object (or objects) representing symbolically a person, family, people, or nation, as on a heraldic device (coat of arms) or image of a saint or hero. Click here to view a hand-drawn emblem of virtue from the 17th-century album amicorum of Michael van Meer (University of Edinburgh Library, La.III.283), and here to view an emblem printed in the Book of Emblems by Andrea Alciato, published in Augsburg in 1531 (Special Collections, Glasgow University Library, SM 18).

emblem book

A type of illustrated book, popular from the early 16th century to about 1700, containing a collection of symbolic engravings or woodcuts called emblems, each expressing a moral adage or principle, accompanied by an epigram, motto, proverb, or brief explanatory text in prose or verse. Included in this category are books with the text arranged in symbolic designs, for example, crosses. The form was revived by the poet William Blake in Gates of Paradise. Emblem books are studied as cultural artifacts providing information about popular culture, the use of allegory, the relationship of word to image, reading practices, and printing history. Click here to browse emblems from a 17th-century copy of Andrea Alciato's Emblematum liber (Book of Emblems) first published in 1531 (Memorial University of Newfoundland), and here to see a copy published in Paris in 1602 (Royal Library of Denmark). See also Reading with the Mind's Eye: A Virtual Emblem Book Exhibit (Nana Diederichs, University of Iowa) and this selection of Spanish emblem books (Glasgow University Library).

embossed

A decorative design or lettering raised in bas-relief above the surface of a sheet or page, or the cover of a book, an effect produced by the use of printing or stamping dies. Employed throughout the history of binding and printing, embossing is a mechanical technique now used mainly in the production of art books, elegant greeting cards, and other decorative items. Click here to see samples of embossed paper. Click here to see a deeply embossed 19th-century leather binding (Special Collections, Glasgow University Library, BD6-f.12) and here to see examples of embossed cloth publisher's bindings (Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Columbia University). To see other examples, try a keyword search on the term "embossed" in the British Library's Database of Bookbindings. Compare with debossed. See also: brocade paper, cuir ciselé, and embossed print.

employee handbook

A manual, often printed in loose-leaf form, describing the rights, responsibilities, privileges, rules, expectations, etc., associated with employment in a company, organization, agency, or institution, usually distributed to employees at the time they are hired. At academic institutions that grant faculty status to librarians, the faculty handbook usually serves this function and may also cover governance. Compare with procedure manual.

emulsion

A stable colloidal suspension of one immiscible liquid in another. In photography, the light-sensitive coating on a plate, sheet of paper, or plastic film base that carries the image. On black and white film, the emulsion consists of very fine silver halide crystals dispersed in a gelatin medium that are converted to metallic silver particles in processing. The emulsion side of black and white film appears duller and more textured than the smooth, shiny base side. On color film, the emulsion contains three layers of photosensitive dyes: yellow, cyan, and magenta. The emulsion and base sides of color film can be difficult to distinguish, but the image appears slightly raised on the emulsion side. Considered a scientific art, the making of photographic emulsions often involves trade secrets jealously guarded by commercial film manufacturers.

encapsulation

The process of enclosing a flat document in a thin, transparent polyester envelope, the edges of which are sealed to protect it from damage, used in conservation and preservation to provide support for large, fragile sheets such as maps, charts, posters, etc., while allowing them to remain visible on both sides (click here to see encapsulation used in the preservation of newspapers). The procedure does not alter the condition of the document by adhering it to the film, as does lamination (the sheet can easily be removed by slitting one or more sides of the envelope). When this method is used to preserve a bound item, the leaves must be cut apart and each one encapsulated separately. The envelopes can then be bound together again. Although encapsulation provides protection from impurities in the atmosphere, it does not retard processes of deterioration inherent in the object. Click here to learn more about the process of encapsulation, courtesy of the Florida Bureau of Archives and Records Management.

encaustum

From the Latin encausticus, meaning "burnt in." A purplish-black, highly durable ink made from a mixture of iron salts and gallic (tannic) acid, preferred by Irish and Anglo-Saxon scribes during the early Middle Ages because it bonded well with the surface of parchment or vellum and was not grainy, compared to ink made from lampblack. Also spelled incaustum.

enchiridion

From the Greek word for "handbook," a volume of a size that can be easily carried in a person's hand. In the Christian religious tradition, a manual of devotions (example: Saint Augustine's Enchiridion on Faith, Hope, and Love).

enclosure

Any foreign material placed between the leaves of a book or other bound item, or between the cover and free endpaper, by someone other than the publisher or binder. Some enclosures are incidental, for example, scraps of paper or other material used as bookmarks. These are discarded by the library in processing. Others are clearly intentional and may be worth preserving, for example, newspaper and magazine clippings (usually reviews of the book or stories about the author), portions of the dust jacket (the biographical note and/or portrait of the author), letters and notes, photographs, etc. Acid migration from enclosures made of acid paper may mark the pages of a book or other publication (see this example). Paper clips, pins, rubber bands, pressed leaves and/or flowers, etc., may also leave marks that are difficult to remove. The term does not include bookplates, date due slips, and labels affixed within the item. Compare with insert.

endowment

A permanent fund accumulated by an institution over an extended period consisting of gifts and bequests invested to provide an ongoing return, all or a portion of which is expended, sometimes for purposes specified by the donor(s), leaving the principal intact to generate further income. A library may be separately endowed or share in the endowment of its parent institution. Click here to see an example of an endowment program at an academic library. See also: fund-raising.

end panel

A single- or double-faced flat piece of wood, steel, or other rigid material securely attached to the end of a range of library shelving, usually extending from the floor to the top of the unit to cover the shelf ends facing an aisle or open area. End panels also help provide structural rigidity to shelving, of particular importance in regions prone to earthquake. The panels may be painted or covered with material that aesthetically enhances the library's interior decor. End panels in wood may be custom-made to match library furnishings.

endpaper

In bookbinding, a sheet of thick, strong paper folded down the center, one-half of which is pasted to the inside of the front or back board, the other half forming the first or last leaf (the flyleaf or free endpaper), to protect the text from the boards and counteract the pull of the cover on the boards. The fold in each endpaper functions as a hinge, joining the text block to the cover and allowing the attached board to swing open and closed (see this diagram). For extra strength, some books have double endpapers.

In early printed books, binding waste was sometimes used for endpapers, as in this example (Princeton University Library). From the 17th century on, decorated endpapers were used in hand-binding. Click here and here to see marbled endpapers in early editions. Click here to see decorated endpapers in a 17th-century volume dedicated to Frederik III of Denmark (Royal Library of Denmark). In modern book production, the color of the endpapers often complements the material covering the boards. Maps, genealogies, tables, or illustrations are sometimes printed on the endpapers, especially in biographies and historical works (see this example). Also spelled end-paper. Synonymous with endleaf and endsheet. Compare with doublure. See also: own ends.

engraving

An illustration or print made from a design incised with a sharp, pointed tool called a burin or graver on the surface of a metal plate or hardwood block. The lines are inked and an impression made by pressing a sheet of paper or some other printing surface against the plate, in a process known as intaglio.

Views in Glasgow is a set of twenty metal engravings published in 1843 by Allan & Ferguson (Special Collections, Glasgow University Library, Bh12-y.14). Click here to see the wood engraving Dream (Mantis religiosa) done in 1935 by M. C. Escher (Georgetown University Libraries). For other examples, see the Metropolitan Museum of Art's Timeline of Art History. Click here to learn more about wood engraving during the Victorian period, courtesy of the British Library. Compare with etching. See also: copperplate, drypoint, engraved edition, stipple engraving, wax engraving, and wood engraving.

entity

As defined in FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records), one of the key objects of interest to users of information within a given domain of "things" described by bibliographic data. In FRBR, entities are divided into three groups: (1) the products of intellectual or artistic endeavor (work, expression, manifestation, and item); (2) the individual(s) or corporate bodies responsible for creating intellectual or artistic content, for producing or disseminating the content in physical form, or for maintaining custody of the products; and (3) the subjects of intellectual or artistic expression (concept, object, event, place). Each type of entity has a defining set of attributes, for example, the attributes of a "work" include the title, form, date of work, intended audience, etc. The nature of the link between entities is their relationship; for example, an expression may be an "adaptation of" a pre-existing work.

entry level

Employment at the lowest grade in a system of classified positions, suitable for candidates who are beginning their careers and lack experience. Promotion usually depends on a vacancy occurring at a higher grade or classification, rather than on the development of the initial position into one requiring greater skill or responsibility. Synonymous with entrance level.

entry word

The word under which a record in a catalog, index, or bibliography is filed and searched, usually the first word of the heading, initial articles excluded. In retrieving information from an online catalog or bibliographic database, the order of terms typed as input may determine the success or failure of a search by author, title, subject heading, or descriptor, but in a keywords search, word order should not affect results if Boolean logic is correctly used. Synonymous with filing word.

environmental control

In the preservation of library and archival collections, creating and maintaining hospitable storage conditions is the most effective strategy for promoting the longevity of materials. Deterioration of paper, leather, cloth, plastic, etc., can be dramatically reduced by controlling temperature, relative humidity, light, and air quality in storage. Monitoring devices should be installed to ensure that materials remain cool and dry. Low illumination, ventilation that removes atmospheric pollutants, and effective pest management are also essential. Click here to read Oxford University Library Services' advice on environmental monitoring and control.

ephemera

From the Greek ephemeron, meaning "something short-lived." The printed materials of everyday life, generally regarded as having little or no permanent value because they are produced in large quantities or in disposable formats for a specific limited use. The category includes ballots, baseball cards, bookmarks, broadsides, bumper stickers, comic books, coupons, decals, fliers, greeting cards, invitations, lapel buttons, leaflets, menus, pamphlets, paper toys, performance programs, playbills, postage stamps, postcards, tickets, visiting cards, etc. Ephemeral items are sometimes retained and exhibited for their graphic qualities or for their association with a specific person, event, or activity. When collected by libraries, they are usually stored in special collections. Also refers to material of brief currency that has reference value or sufficient literary or historical importance to merit permanent archival storage, for example, academic course catalogs and schedules, newsletters, staff directories, etc. Click here to see an online exhibition of medical ephemera, courtesy of the National Library of Medicine. Rodney Higginbotham of Northeastern Illinois University provides a Web site devoted to Theatre Ephemera. See also the Vietnam War Era Ephemera Collection displayed by the University of Washington Libraries. Compare with gray literature. See also: Ephemera Society of America and fugitive material.

Ephemera Society of America, The

Established in 1980, The Ephemera Society of America is an association of individuals and collectors who have an interest in the printed materials of everyday life, which are ordinarily short-lived, having little or no permanent value when issued, but which may be worth preserving as examples of cultural history (click here to see a partial list of categories). The Society has published Ephemera Journal since 1987 and also issues the quarterly Ephemera Newsletter. Click here to connect to the homepage of The Ephemera Society. See also: ephemera.

epic

A lengthy narrative poem in which the language, characters, and action are heroic and exalted in style. Most epics have a comparatively simple plot, a theme (or themes) reflecting the universal human condition, a hero of superhuman mental and physical capacity who is nonetheless fatally flawed, a setting imaginary or remote in time and place, with supernatural forces playing a decisive role in the action, upon which may depend the fate of an entire society or people. Epics are usually closely tied to the legends, oral traditions, and history of a specific culture (Iliad and Odyssey of Homer, Beowulf, Mahabharata, etc.). Literary epics, such as the Aeneid of Virgil and Paradise Lost by John Milton, are consciously modeled on traditional examples. Click here to connect to the Yahoo! list of Web sites on epic poetry.

epic fiction

Works of imaginative fiction in which the actions of heroic characters, often entwined with national destiny, are depicted on a grand scale (examples: the novels War and Peace [1869] by Leo Tolstoy and Exodus [1958] by Leon Uris). Compare with epic.

epigram

In the classical period, an inscription or epitaph, but in modern usage a tersely witty, often antithetical saying, ingeniously composed in prose or verse, delivered with aplomb to make a point in a manner calculated to enhance one's reputation in the company of people who value feats of intellectual and literary virtuosity. The satirical form, established in ancient Rome by Martial (see this 15th-century manuscript copy), was cultivated in England from the late 16th to the early 20th century. An example by Hilaire Belloc:

: ON OLD LADY POLTAGRUE, A PUBLIC PERIL
The Devil, having nothing else to do,
Went off to tempt my Lady Poltagrue.
My Lady, tempted by a private whim,
To his extreme annoyance, tempted him.

The Victorian author and playwright Oscar Wilde has been dubbed "The Emperor of Epigrams." Examples of his work can be found in The Penguin Dictionary of Epigrams (2002) edited by M.J. Cohen.

epilogue

A part added as a conclusion at the close of a literary work, for example, the statement of the moral at the end of a fable. Compare with afterword.

The term also refers to the final section of a speech, also called the peroration, and to a brief speech delivered at the end of a dramatic performance, requesting the approval of audience and critics. Compare in this sense with prologue.

episode

A single segment of a television series or mini-series, sometimes released on VHS or DVD in a collection with others originally broadcast during the same season, for example, "The Doorbell Rang" in the Nero Wolfe series (first season), originally seen on the A&E (Arts & Entertainment) network, with Timothy Hutton and Maury Chaykin in the lead roles.

episodic

A literary work consisting of a number of more or less self-contained but loosely connected incidents (episodes) strung together by the author to form a narrative (example: Idylls of the King by Alfred, Lord Tennyson).

epistemology

From the Greek episteme ("knowledge") and logos ("theory"), the branch of philosophy devoted to the theoretical study of the nature, methods, and validity of human knowledge, including the relationship between the knower (subject), the known (object), and the process of knowing.

epistle

A composition in poetry or prose written in the form of a letter so elegant in style that it is considered a literary work worthy of publication, for example, the epistles of Cicero, Horace, Ovid, and Pliny (for texts, see the Perseus Digital Library). Also refers to one of the letters from the apostles included in the New Testament of the Christian Bible. In a more general sense, a written letter addressed to an absent person or, when published, an open letter meant to be read by persons in addition to the addressee. Click here to see an 18th-century example, courtesy of the Virginia Historical Society.

epistolary

A liturgical book containing readings for the Mass from the Epistles of the New Testament and sometimes from other books of the Bible, arranged according to the liturgical year. Click here to view a leaf from a 15th-century illuminated Italian epistolary with neumes written between the lines in red to aid the subdeacon in chanting this portion of the service (Cary Collection, Rochester Institute). The Gospel reading was normally done by the deacon from a separate book called the lectionary. From the 10th century on, the Epistles were combined with other liturgical readings in the missal. Synonymous with Apostle.

epistolary novel

A form of novel that reached its greatest popularity during the 18th century, in which the narrative is developed by the author in a series of letters (example: Clarissa by Samuel Richardson). Sometimes a novelist begins a work in epistolary style, then switches to conventional narrative (Busman's Honeymoon by Dorothy L. Sayers). Synonymous with novel in letters.

epitaph

From the Greek epi ("upon") and taphos ("tomb"), a brief valedictory verse on the life and death of a person (or persons), composed as an inscription on a grave marker, sometimes by the deceased before death. Epitaphs are usually complimentary but may be humorous or ironic. One of the most famous was written by Simonides of Ceos (556-468 B.C.) commemorating the 300 warriors who died at Thermopylae:

: Go, tell the Lacedaimonians, passer-by,
That here obedient to their laws we lie.

Click here to read Petrarch's epitaph, courtesy of the Beinecke Rare Book & Manuscript Library, Yale University.

epithet

From the Greek word epitheton, meaning "something added." A descriptive name or unofficial title expressing an important quality or attribute, usually added to distinguish a person (William the Conqueror), epoch (Age of Enlightenment), or thing (John Knox cap) from others of the same name or class. In library cataloging, the epithet follows the personal name in the heading under which an item is cataloged (example: John, the Baptist). In the case of royalty, popes, etc., a cross-reference is made from the name with epithet to the official heading consisting of name and title.

Also, a descriptive term or phrase used as a substitute for the name or title of a person, as in The Great Emancipator for President Abraham Lincoln. The use of epithets is common in ancient Egyptian inscriptions.

In biological nomenclature, each organism is given two names--a genus name, always capitalized, and a species name in lowercase, also known as a species epithet. In the example Escherichia coli (the name of a common bacterial species), Escherichia is the genus name and coli the species epithet.

epitome

A statement of the essence of a subject in the briefest possible form. Also refers to a very brief but accurate written statement of the main points of a work, usually prepared by a person other than the author.

eponym

A single name under which several authors are published. Also, the name of a person or character so closely associated with a quality, process, or activity that the name is used in signifying it (Herculean, pasteurization, Platonic, Romeo, etc.).

Also refers to a person who gives, or is reputed to have given, his or her name to an institution, structure, place, etc. (Guggenheim Museums), or to a distinguishing title derived from the name of a person, designating a people, place, thing, or period (Periclean Athens, Carolingian minuscule, Elizabethan drama). See also: eponymous imprint.

eponymous imprint

A publisher's imprint that carries a personal name or names, often of the founder(s) (examples: J.B. Lippincott and R.R. Bowker). More recently, eponymous imprints under the editor's name have been set up as one-person shops within larger publishing houses to give exceptionally talented editors the freedom to publish without the approval of an editorial committee and to develop an individual voice within the industry. Editor's imprints are often given distinctive names like Apple Soup, Greenwillow, and Silver Whistle, but publishers increasingly encourage star editors to use their own names. Books published under such imprints have received many top awards in children's book publishing where the practice began in 1972 with the creation of Margaret McElderry Books at Atheneum, followed in 1973 by Ursula Nordstrom Books at Harper & Row. The recent success of the Harry Potter series, published by Arthur A. Levine Books at Scholastic, demonstrates the important role of imprinted editors in the promotion of quality works by new authors.

erasure

Names or words written, stamped, or printed in a book and subsequently removed, usually with a gum eraser if in pencil or by some other abrasive means if in ink. Erasures almost always decrease the value of an item in the used book market. John Carter warns in ABC for Book Collectors (Oak Knoll, 1995) that erasures near the center of the title page, or in the upper half of the verso of the title page, should be regarded with suspicion because the intent may have been to remove the words Second (or nth) Edition from the imprint. Click here to see an example of erasures in the text of a 15th-century Flemish Book of Hours (Getty Museum, MS Ludwig IX 8). See also: correction and palimpsest. Also used synonymously with degaussing (magnetic media).

E-rate

An abbreviation of education rate. A federal program established under the Telecommunications Act of 1996 (TCA) and implemented in 1998, with oversight by the Federal Communications Commission (FCC), E-rate allows schools, public libraries, and rural health care institutions to apply for substantial discounts on rates paid for telecommunication services, including Internet access, communications equipment, and internal wiring. The program is funded by the Universal Service surcharge on telephone bills and administered by the Universal Service Administrative Company (USAC) in Washington, D.C. Although it has been hampered by a byzantine application process and reported problems of fraud and abuse, and has also been subjected to filtering requirements under the Children's Internet Protection Act of 1999 (CIPA), the program has helped many schools and libraries build technological infrastructure, particularly in low-income areas. Click here to connect to the E-rate Web page maintained by the FCC. See also E-Rate Central, a Web site dedicated to simplifying the E-rate program for schools, libraries, and vendors.

ergonomics

The systematic study of the relationship between people and the environment in which they work, serving as the basis for the design and arrangement of equipment, furnishings, and workspaces with the aim of increasing productivity and avoiding negative effects on safety, health, comfort, and efficiency (see these examples of ergonomic desk chairs, courtesy of Google Images). Synonymous with human engineering.

error message

A text message displayed automatically by a computer system to indicate that the operation initiated by the user could not be completed for some reason. Common error messages in Web browser software include:

400 - Bad File Request

: Usually means the URL contains an error in syntax. Check punctuation marks and case (URLs are often case-sensitive).

403 - Forbidden/Access Denied

: User not authorized to view requested file. The site may require a password, the user's domain may be blocked, or the file may be available only to internal users.

404 - File Not Found

: Host server cannot locate the requested file, usually because it has been renamed, no longer exists, or has been moved to another server or because the user made an error in entering the URL.

500 - Internal Error

: HTML document could not be retrieved due to server-configuration problems. User should consult site administrator.

Bad File Request

: Web form uses nonstandard form entry elements or has errors in HTML code. Notify Webmaster of programming error.

Connection Refused by Host

: User does not have permission to access file or password is incorrect.

Failed DNS Lookup

: Servers that translate domain names into IP addresses may be overloaded. Wait a few seconds, then select "Reload" or "Refresh" in browser toolbar.

File Contains No Data

: The browser located the site but found no data in requested file. Try adding ":80" (without the quotation marks) to URL immediately preceding the first slash.

Network Connection Refused or Too Many Users

: Host server is overloaded and unable to handle user's request. Try "Reload" or "Refresh" or wait and try again later.

Unknown Host or Unable to Locate Server

: Host server is not accessible for some reason. Try "Reload" or "Refresh" or wait awhile before trying again. If site remains inaccessible for several days, it has probably been shut down permanently.

Click here for a more detailed list of common Internet error messages, courtesy of Brown University.

escape clause

A clause in a legal contract specifying conditions under which one of the parties is relieved of liability for failure to meet the terms of the agreement.

escape key

A key located in the upper-left-hand corner of a standard computer keyboard, usually labeled Esc, that allows the user to go backward one step in a sequence of operations, terminating the current operation.

espionage

The practice of spying or using spies (or listening devices) to systematically collect strategic information that the government of a country or the management of a commercial entity would prefer to keep secret. When such information is used in military planning and decision-making, it is called intelligence. Because some research libraries in the United States provide public access to scientific and technical information that could be used by an aggressor, their policies have been scrutinized (see Library Awareness Program and USA Patriot Act).

Also refers to a subgenre of mystery fiction and motion picture devoted to tales of spies and spying, usually during wartime or the Cold War (examples: Tinker, Tailor, Soldier, Spy by John Le Carré and Reilly: The Ace of Spies directed by Jim Goddard). Synonymous with spy fiction. See also: suspense and thriller.

essay

A short literary composition written in expository prose addressed to the general reader, usually dealing thoughtfully and in some depth with a single theme, seen from the personal point of view of the essayist who does not necessarily attempt the systematic or comprehensive analysis one would expect in a dissertation or treatise. There are no limitations on style or content--essays can be formal or informal, descriptive, narrative, persuasive, humorous, satirical, historical, biographical, autobiographical, or critical. In some cases, essays that appear on the surface to be straightforward have a deeper, more philosophical meaning. Essays published in collections and Festschriften are indexed in Essay and General Literature Index, published by H.W. Wilson. Click here to read the Essays (1575) of Michel de Montaigne, translated by Charles Cotton. See also: essay periodical and photographic essay.

essay periodical

A short-lived form of literary periodical, popular in Britain during the 18th century, in which each twice- or thrice-weekly issue was usually devoted to a single essay that was often didactic in tone. This type of periodical was closely associated with the coffee-house, a very popular institution in 18th-century London society. Well-known examples include Joseph Addison's and Richard Steele�s The Tatler (1709-1711) and The Spectator (1711-1714) and Samuel Johnson�s The Rambler (1750-1752) and The Idler (1758-1760). Having disappeared from the literary canon in the 20th century, the genre has recently received renewed critical attention because it raised the literary level of the periodical essay.

et al.

An abbreviation of the Latin phrase et alii, meaning "and other people," used in bibliographic citations after the first of more than three collaborators, instead of listing all the names. Also an abbreviation of et alibi ("and elsewhere") and et alia ("and other things").

etc.

An abbreviation of the Latin phrase et cetera, meaning "and the rest" or "and so forth," used to shorten a list. Also abbreviated &c.

ethnographic film

A nonfiction motion picture, usually made under the supervision of one or more anthropologists, that seeks to describe a distinct culture in a scientific and analytical manner, for example, The Hunters (1958) by John Marshall, a classic documentary on the Kalahari Bushmen produced by the Film Study Center of the Peabody Museum of Harvard University. In a more general sense, any documentary film that seeks to reveal one culture or society to another, for example, Nanook of the North (1922) and Man of Aran (1934) directed by Robert Flaherty.

ethnographic photograph

A photograph made by or for anthropologists and others engaged in the systematic documentation of a human culture, often irreplaceable evidence of a vanished way of life (see this example). Synonymous with ethno-photograph.

ethnography

A qualitative description of a specific human culture or society, based on empirical data gathered by an anthropologist or sociologist through participant observation, field notes, interviews, questionnaires, or other systematic methods (example: Argonauts of the Western Pacific [1922] by Bronislaw Malinowski).

Etruscan binding

A style of leather binding developed during the late 18th century by William Edwards of Halifax in which the panel on each cover, decorated by means of acid staining, is surrounded by borders of classical design (fretwork, etc.). A vase of classical shape sometimes adorns the center of each panel. Click here to view an early 19th-century example with an inner border of palmettes acid-stained terracotta and black to replicate the colors of an antique vase (Special Collections, Glasgow University Library, BD14-i.28). To see other examples, try a search on the keyword "etruscan" in the British Library's Database of Bookbindings.

et seq.

An abbreviation of the Latin phrase et sequens, meaning "and the following one." Plural: et seqq. ("and those that follow").

etymology

The origin of a word traced back as far as possible in time, usually by the methods of comparative linguistics. Most language dictionaries provide some information about word derivation but often differ in how far back origin is traced and the amount of historical detail. Most English-language dictionaries trace the origin of a word back to Latin or ancient Greek, but not as far back as Proto-Indo-European (PIE). The Oxford English Dictionary (OED) is the leading example of an English-language dictionary constructed on historical principles. Specialized etymological dictionaries provide the most complete description of the evolution of words (example: The Oxford Dictionary of English Etymology edited by C.T. Onions).

eulogy

A written or spoken composition in praise of someone or something, especially a person who is deceased, for example, Ben Jonson's eulogy on Shakespeare. Click here to read some examples, courtesy of Euology Speech Guide. Synonymous with encomium. Compare with elegy.

evangelary

A liturgical book containing the passages from the Gospels read during the Mass, arranged in order of the liturgical year, easier to use than the earlier Gospel book that had capitularies added at the end to indicate the time of year or the celebration for which specific passages were to be read. Click here to view an incipit page from an evangelary (Royal Library of Denmark). Also spelled evangeliary and evangelistary. Synonymous with Gospel lectionary and pericope book.

evangelist portrait

In medieval Gospel books, a miniature preceding the text of one of the four gospels, depicting its author (Matthew, Mark, Luke, or John) often seated writing or reading at a desk or lectern, sometimes accompanied by his traditional symbol (man, lion, ox, or eagle). Strictly speaking, the miniatures are not portraits because the actual physical appearance of the evangelists is not known. Although the four portraits sometimes appear on the same page at the beginning of a Gospel book, they are usually full-page miniatures, often done in similar style with a solid gilt background. See St. Matthew (Getty Museum, MS Ludwig II 3), St. Mark (British Library, Burney 20), St. Luke (Getty, MS Ludwig II 3), and St. John (British Library, Burney 20). Click here to see the four evangelist symbols in the Book of Kells, courtesy of Wikipedia.

executive producer

The top-level administrator and/or financier of a theatrical or film production, who may or may not be directly involved in the creative process or in technical aspects of production. Most executive producers handle the business side and legal issues.

exegesis

Scholarly explanation or interpretation of a word, phrase, sentence, or passage in a written work, based on close study and critical analysis of the text, especially to clarify an obscure point in the Bible or some other sacred work. See also: scholium.

exemplar

In the context of medieval manuscript production, a masterwork from which another was copied. The scribe kept the exemplar propped open on a lectern or close at hand on a sloping writing desk, consulting it frequently. In the early Middle Ages, monks working in scriptoria obtained exemplars by borrowing them from other monastic establishments. When book production became a commercial activity in the 12th century, copies of scholastic texts made by stationers on the authority of the university were rented as exemplars to students in need of textbooks, to be copied under the pecia system. See also: apograph.

In calligraphy, an alphabet or lettering style used for the purpose of study or decoration. Click here to see a late-16th-century Dutch example (Koninklijke Bibliotheek). In a more general sense, someone or something that serves as a model, type, specimen, instance, or example of a quality, category, or group.

exemplum

A story or anecdote told to illustrate a moral point, especially in the context of a sermon given by a medieval preacher. An exemplum differs from a parable in having the moral stated at the beginning, rather than the end. It is also presumed to be based on actual events. Plural: exempla.

exhibit

A physical object placed on display in a museum, gallery, or other public place, usually because of its historical, cultural, or scientific importance or its aesthetic qualities, extraordinary characteristics, or monetary value. Libraries typically exhibit rare and valuable books, manuscripts, personal papers, and memorabilia associated with authorship, publishing, book history, and reading (click here to see displays at the George Peabody Library, Johns Hopkins University). Exhibits may be permanent or rotate periodically, depending on the availability of materials suitable for display and the policy of the library. Also refers to the event during which such objects are displayed. Click here to connect to a list of online exhibits sponsored by the Library of Congress. See also: display case and exhibition catalog.

Also, a booth or table at which a book publisher, jobber, or dealer, or a library vendor or supplier, displays its products and services at a conference or book fair to attract prospective customers. Companies and organizations that lease exhibit space are exhibitors. See also: display copy and Exhibits Round Table.

exhibition

A collection of objects shown or displayed in a public place. Also, the act of displaying a collection of objects publicly.

exhibitor

A person, company, or organization whose work is displayed to attendees at a conference or convention, usually in one of many exhibit booths (see this example).

exit interview

An interview conducted by a personnel director, or some other person designated by management, at the time an employee leaves employment (voluntarily or involuntarily), usually to determine the reason(s) for leaving, in particular whether separation is the result of grievances that might have been resolved or prevented. For retirees, the interview also provides a final opportunity to discuss with the employer matters concerning pension, health insurance, etc.

exotics

In the printing trade, a general term for non-Latin alphabets (Arabic, Chinese, Cyrillic, Hebrew, Japanese, etc.).

expanded

A typeface wider in proportion to its height than the normal version of the same style. The opposite of condensed. Synonymous with extended. Compare with full face.

expedition photograph

A photographic image made to gather data or document the activities of a voyage undertaken for the purpose of geographical, botanical, anthropological, archaeological, or other scientific discovery, often by a member of the expedition trained in photography, a category of photograph of particular interest to historians and archivists. Click here to view a photograph of the HMS Investigator, abandoned in the Arctic ice in 1853. Synonymous with exploration photograph.

experimental film

A non-commercial motion picture that presents a unique and personal vision by abandoning narrative storyline and realistic portrayal of the world outside the cinema to explore the expressive possibilities of the film medium itself, usually by the use of unconventional techniques (example: L'Étoile de Mer, a surrealist film by Man Ray). When images of the real world are employed, their meaning may be altered by placing them in an unexpected context. The annual Ann Arbor Film Festival is devoted to showing experimental and independent films. Synonymous with avant-garde film. See also: flicker film.

expert system (ES)

A computer system or application based on artificial intelligence designed to replicate the ability of a human expert to solve a problem or perform a specific task (or sequence of tasks), for example, financial analysis and forecasting. An expert system requires a knowledge base (KB) composed of facts and rules bases, plus an inference engine to run the KB. In the plural, the term refers to the science of creating such systems.

expert user

A person with sufficient knowledge and experience to be able to use a library or computer system effectively and efficiently, with only occasional assistance. The opposite of novice.

expiration date

The date on which delivery of a periodical subscription ceases if payment is not received from the subscriber in response to a final renewal notice. Also, the date after which a library is no longer eligible to receive a prepublication price, special discount, or other promotional incentive for ordering an item. Also, the date after which a library card, password, membership, software license, document, etc., is no longer valid. Synonymous with expiry date.

exploded drawing

A graphic representation in which the individual components of an object or structure are shown disassembled, but in correct relationship to each other with respect to their positions in the assembled whole. To see examples, try a search on the term in Google Images.

exploit

In the publishing industry, to promote, advertise, publicize, or advance by other means an author (or other creative artist) and his/her works for the purpose of profit.

exposé

A piece of in-depth investigative journalism that reveals the truth about a situation, which is often shocking to the general public.

exposure

The amount of light falling on a photographic medium, such as a light-sensitive plate or film or an image sensor, during a single shutter cycle, measured in lux seconds. Also used in reference to the photographic image produced by a single click of the camera shutter. In a multiple exposure, the same medium is exposed to more than one shutter cycle. See: overexposure.

expression

As defined in FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records), the form in which a creative work is realized, for example, a single variant of the text of a literary work (Shakespeare's Hamlet) or composer's score or a specific performance of a musical work (original Broadway production of West Side Story). Any alteration of the intellectual or artistic content of a work (abridgment, adaptation, revision, translation, etc.) produces a new expression. The term is abstract in the sense of excluding aspects of physical form not essential to the intellectual or artistic content, such as the typeface, type size, and page layout used in printing the text of a written work. Compare with manifestation.

expressive notation

In some classification systems, the structure of the letters, numerals, and/or symbols used to indicate the classes is designed to show the hierarchical position or facets of each class and subclass. For example, in Dewey Decimal Classification, the successive subdivisions of a class are indicated by arabic numerals and decimal fractions. In the DDC notation 782.42, assigned to the book titled Broadway Love Songs, 700 indicates that the work is about a topic in the the arts, 780 that it concerns music, 782 vocal music, and the decimal fraction .42 songs.

extended play (EP)

An obsolete phonograph record format consisting of a 7-inch wide 45 rpm vinyl disc containing two or more tracks per side, in contrast to the standard 45 rpm record with only one track per side. EPs were introduced by RCA Victor in 1952 to compete with the 12-inch 33 rpm long-playing (LP) record introduced by Columbia in 1948. The term is also used in a general sense for any phonograph record containing more music than a single, but too brief to qualify as a record album or LP.

extent of item

The first element in the physical description area (MARC field 300) of a bibliographic record, giving in arabic numerals the number of physical units comprising the item (example: 356 p. or 13 v.), the specific material designation, and any other details of extent, such as playing time in the case of sound recordings, motion pictures, videorecordings, and DVDs.

In the description of archival materials, extent of item is given as the number of linear or cubic feet (meters in Canada) occupied by an archival collection, and/or the exact or approximate number of items it contains, for example, ca. 8,700 items (11.8 cubic ft.) or 13 linear ft. (32 boxes). Microfilm is described in number of reels (128 microfilm reels: negative) or in feet if not on a reel (5 ft. of microfilm). If the collection contains more than one type of material, each measured in a different way, separate statements are given. If the description of extent is complicated, it may be given in a note to avoid confusion. Synonymous with statement of extent.

external decoder

An electronic device that connects one or more barcode scanners by cable to a computer or computer system and translates input from the scanner into digital signals that can be processed by the computer. Some barcode scanners come with a built-in decoder.

extract

One or more lengthy quotations from a book or other work set within the main text of another work, usually indented and sometimes printed in distinguishing type. When printed in the same type size as the text and without indention, an extract is enclosed in quotation marks and preceded and followed by a blank line. In a more general sense, any piece taken from one work and used in another, sometimes to represent the whole, as in a scene from a motion picture used in a trailer. Compare with excerpt.

Also, one ore more portions of a document selected to represent the content of the whole.

extraneous matter

Material found inside or attached to a bibliographic item, placed there by someone other than the publisher or printer, for example, bookmarks, post-it notes, newspaper clippings, photographs, paper clips, staples, rubber bands, etc. In libraries, extraneous matter may include paperwork generated in technical processing and handling, such as order slips, gift slips, work tickets, catalog cards, routing slips, and binding slips. Extraneous matter may leave permanent marks on the item or stress the binding.

extranet

A private computer network designed to serve the employees of a company or members of an organization (as in an intranet) and also to provide various levels of accessibility to selected persons outside the organization (business partners, customers, clients, etc.) but not the general public. When transmission occurs over public telecommunication channels (the Internet), the system is password-protected to exclude unauthorized users. Services may be fee-based or offered at no charge.