History Day Blueprint

Terms & Acronyms in Research

Sometimes research means using library lingo and subject-specific jargon - that many people don't know.

Below are a few selected terms and acronyms defined or explained in the context of students doing History Day research. For this guide, precise and/or complete definitions aren't always possible - explanations are tailored for this situation and may not apply to all uses of the terms or acronyms.

If you wish to recommend other terms or acronyms that you think might confuse other researchers - please feel free to use our Contact Us form and include that you are suggesting terms for History Glossary. (You can also ask us reference questions on this form).

NOTE: We are in the process of building this list. Entries may not be complete.

• Archives - 
• Catalog, Library catalog - 
• CSL - Connecticut State Library
• Database - 
• Full Text
• GIS or GIRS - Government Information reference desk
• H&G - History and Genealogy reference desk. They also handle Archives.
• Holdings - what is actually "held" in a library or a collection; what they have.
• Index -
• LLR - Law & Legislative Research reference desk.
• Primary Source - 
• Secondary Source-