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NYU Libraries LibGuides Style Manual

An evolving manual of best practices for creating and maintaining New York University LibGuides. This manual is maintained by the LibGuides Editorial Working Group.

Consistent Terminology

Libraries Terminology

It helps if consistent terminology is used across LibGuides. Here is an evolving list of preferred terminology:

Use This

Not This

Ask a Librarian Ask A Librarian, Ask-a-Librarian, ask a librarian
catalog catalogue, Catalog, BobCat
Course Reserves course reserves
databases Databases
ebook eBook, e-book, e-Book, Ebook, E-book, E-Book
email e-mail
e-resources eresources
EZBorrow EZ Borrow, EZborrow, EZ-borrow, EZ-Borrow, ezborrow, ez-borrow
FAQ F.A.Q.
homepage home page, main page
Interlibrary Loan (first use) ILL (acceptable after first use of "Interlibrary Loan), interlibrary loan, InterLibrary Loan
internet Internet
laptop lap-top
librarian Librarian
log in (verb) login
login (noun or adjective) log in
NYU ID Card NYU I.D. Card, NYU ID card, New York University ID Card
Net ID email prefix, university login
"N" number  ID number
NYU Libraries, the library, our libraries NYU Library
on-campus, off-campus (adjective) on campus, off campus
on campus, off campus (preposition plus noun) on-campus, off-campus
offsite, onsite off site, on site; off-site, on-site
pages tabs 
Research Guides LibGuides (only refers to web-based software packaged from SpringShare)
research help reference help
Special Collections special collections
subject guide, course guide, topic guide subject-guide, course-guide, topic-guide; Subject Guide, Course Guide, Topic Guide
subject librarians subject-librarians, Subject Librarians
the Fales Collection Fales Library & Special Collections
the Tamiment Collections Tamiment Library and Wagner Labor Archives
University Archives NYU Archives
users patrons
web, website, webpage [e.g. Libraries website] Web, Website, Webpage, web site, web page

See more terminology at: NYU Libraries Communications Dept. Style Guide

University Terminology

  • Official Title: New York University
    • The article "The" does not precede the university name.
    • Use "NYU" in most references. Preferred usage.