Library jargon: Student comprehension of technical language used by librarians

Abstract

Jargon, or technical language, appears in both the writing and speech of librarians in their dealings with the public. If the library patron cannot comprehend this language, the reference transaction is impeded. This study measures students' comprehension of a selection of library terms that were derived from actual reference interviezvs and library handouts. A multiplechoice test was administered to a group of freshmen. "Thinking-aloud" or protocol analyses were also run for information as to the reasoning processes used by the subjects. Given the results of this testing which show that patrons misunderstand library terms approximately half of the time, the researchers offer librarians a continuum of solutions.