Word List

Alumni

Use "alumni," the more gender-inclusive term, when referring to a group of graduates. "Alum" is an accepted informal alternative.

Avoid the binary and more confusing designations you might occasionally encounter across campus: "Alumnus," (alumni as the plural), which was traditionally used to refer to a group of male graduates, and "alumna" (alumnae as the plural), traditionally used to refer to female graduates.

Anti-racist, anti-racism

The library’s current style choice is to include the hyphen when referring to anti-racism or anti-racist, as both an adjective and a noun.

B.C.E.

See C.E. and B.C.E.

Birds of America, The

We frequently reference the fact that the U-M Library marks its formal beginning with the purchase of John James Audubon’s The Birds of America.

“The” is part of the official title.

C.E. and B.C.E.

Use C.E. (common era) and B.C.E. (before the common era) rather than A.D. and B.C.

e.g.

Avoid this Latin abbreviation in web writing and with other formal communication. Spell out "for example" instead.

Google

If you aren't specifically referring to Google, use the generic "search engine," “search,” or "searching the internet."

Google is a registered trademark, so, if you are actually referring to the specific search engine, capitalize terms like Google, Googling, Googled.

i.e.

Avoid this Latin abbreviation in web writing and with other formal communication. Spell out "that is" or "in other words."

Interlibrary loan

Spell out interlibrary loan and use lowercase.

If written as "ILL," screen readers will read it as the word, "ill."

For more information, see our guidance on avoiding acronyms.

LibGuides

In public-facing materials, don't use the term LibGuides. Refer to them as research guides.

Live stream, live streaming

For events that are streamed live, you can use "live stream," "live streaming," "streamed live," "streaming live," "streaming online," and so on.

Avoid "Livestream," as it is the formal name of a registered company — unless you are referring to that company.

When used as a verb, use log in: Please log in to the module.

When used as a noun, use login: What's my login?

Neither form is hyphenated.

We prefer U-M credentials to U-M login in cases where you need to sign in with your U-M information: You'll be prompted to log in with your U-M credentials.

Mcard, MCommunity

Capitalization of the "c" in U-M proper names varies.

The Mcard is your official University of Michigan identification card.
MCommunity is a public and enterprise directory of all people and groups at U-M.

However, when describing our identity as a library, do not use MLibrary.

Online and technology terms, general

Use these spellings:

blog
cellphone
download
ebook
email
internet
intranet
online
smartphone
web
web page
website
webcam
webmaster
Facebook
Google, Googling, Googled
Twitter, tweet, tweeted, retweet
YouTube
Zoom

Pick up, pickup

When used as a noun or adjective, use pickup: Shapiro Library is a pickup location.

When used as a verb, use pick up: You can go to Shapiro to pick up your books.

Neither form is hyphenated.

Reference Reading Room, reading room

Capitalize when referencing the reading room on the second floor of Hatcher Library.

If you're referring to a reading room more generally, keep it lowercase and provide information about the location.

Slave

Do not use.

Instead use "enslaved person," "enslaved people," or "people who were enslaved."

Being enslaved is something that happens to people or has happened; it is not an identity.

Learn more about how to recognize and eliminate racist and bigoted phrases and terms.

Wireless, Wi-Fi

We refer to wireless networks, wireless internet, or wireless access. Wi-Fi is a registered trademark, so don't use lowercase as in wi-fi.