Below are some common terms you will see as you begin college level research
Database: In Library terminology, a "database" is pretty much any online source of information which has a search engine. Some common types include:
Interlibrary Loan: According to the American Library Association (ALA), ... "Interlibrary loan is the process by which a library requests material from, or supplies material to, another library. ... The purpose of interlibrary loan as defined by this code is to obtain, upon request of a library user, material not available in the user's local library." Drew LIbrary will obtain materials through interlibrary loan for Drew affiliates, as described in the ALA statement.
Library Catalog is an index of all of the books and journals owned or subscribed to by Drew. (Union catalogs combine the holdings of multiple institutions.) Catalogs typically only describe full books and journals, not individual chapters or articles. Sometime you'll find that information in Worldcat.
Monographs: From the Oxford English Dictionary (OED): (a monograph is) "...a detailed written study of a single specialized topic (distinguished from general studies in which the topic is dealt with as part of a wider subject)."
Worldcat: is a searchable index of "... the world's largest network of library-based content and services. WorldCat is a "master" catalog of library materials." Once an item is located via Worldcat, it can be requested through interlibary loan (ILL).
Questions? Need Help? Email reference@drew.edu
Drew University Library, http://www.drew.edu/library