2019 Charleston Library Conference

Jargon and acronyms are ubiquitous in our personal and professional lives, so much so that we may be desensitized to their use. Acronyms are so common in the practice of librarianship that many libraries have created cheat sheets and guides to help librarians decipher communication within their own departments and organizations. But the technical language employed on both sides of the librarian-vendor relationship may, at best, cause communication difficulties and unnecessary misunderstandings and, at worst, engender exclusion and mistrust. Furthermore, there is no evidence that proves acronyms and jargon are beneficial.

Join us for a lighthearted participatory conversation between librarian and publisher as we examine the language used in the business of library acquisitions and electronic resource management. Beyond DDA, RDA, and COUNTER, we will consider the impact that language can have on our work and on one another. The presenters will discuss their experiences with commonly used and unique or localized acronyms, assumptions, and the problems associated with the overuse of specialized terminology; and engage the audience in sharing its collective experiences.