Alma and Primo VE Glossary
Related product I-Share

Alma and Primo VE Glossary

Alma and Primo VE to Voyager Glossary

This glossary is a joint effort of the CARLI Resource Sharing Committee and the Technical Services Committee to assist I-Share members during and after the Alma / Primo VE migration with new terminology. 

Please contact with any questions, comments, and suggested terminology.

updated 5/13/2020

Alma/Primo VE Term Abbreviations Voyager Equivalent Term Definition
Alma Base URL     The base URL to connect to Alma, not including the path of any specific page. This URL is provided to your Alma administrator by the CARLI Office or Ex Libris.
Access Rights     The area in Fulfillment configuration where permissions are granted to patrons that allow them to access digital and electronic resources.
Activation     The process of enabling access to e-resources for patrons. Includes confirming that the library has access to the resource and setting up technical information so that patrons have access. 
Aggregator Package     A type of electronic collection that includes all titles (as opposed to a selective package, which includes only some of the collection’s titles).
All Titles (Search)     When searching "All titles," that really means "All records," i.e. you are searching all indexed fields in all records, so you can enter an ISBN or other metadata in that basic search box.  The searchable fields are based on metadata that is common to all record formats, but does NOT include fields that are specific to physical, electronic, or digital inventory.
Allocated Balance     The total amount of money initially available for the fund. This amount does not change when expenditures are made or encumbrances assigned to the fund; the available balance changes. You can increase a fund's allocated balance by adding money to the fund. 
Allocated Fund   Allocated Fund The lowest level of the fund structure hierarchy. Allocated Funds have dollars allocated to them, can have orders placed against them, and can be used to pay invoices. Allocated Funds are subordinate to Summary Funds.
Alma Link Resolver     The Alma component that responds to external requests with a menu of physical, electronic, and digital services. For physical resources, requests are offered; for electronic resources, context-sensitive links are provided; for digital resources, direct links to the digital object are provided. The Alma Link Resolver responds to OpenURL requests as well as requests from systems such as Primo.
Analysis     The querying option within Analytics that allows a user to create a report.
Analytics   Voyager Access Reports; Voyager Web Reports Analytics enables library staff to run reports on library activities. Staff can use out-of-the-box reports or can create their own reports. Analytics is built on Oracle Business Intelligence Enterprise Edition. Every day, a full database refresh (also known as an ETL) takes place in Alma Analytics. The staff user can see when the data was extracted from Alma and when it was loaded to Alma Analytics from the Analytics menu in Alma.
Automated Fulfillment Network AFN Universal Borrowing (UB) I-Share libraries are using Alma's Automated Fullfillment Network functionality to manage the transactions between I-Share libraries. A fulfillment network defines a relationship between two or more Alma institutions that agree to provide fulfillment services to each other's patrons.
Available Balance   Available Balance The money that is available for use in an Allocated Fund. [Available Balance] = [Allocated Balance] - [(Encumbrances - Disencumbrances)] - [Expenditures].
Binding   Bindery Maintenance The process of combining multiple serial issues (item-type: "Issue") into a single item.
Borrowing Request     A resource sharing request placed by local patron and fulfilled by another institution’s resource. Otherwise known as a resource sharing outgoing request.
Brief Level   Quality Hierarchy A record's Brief Level (1 to 10) reflects the amount and quality of bibliographic information. I-Share Brief Level Rules are configured to look to the encoding level (LDR 17) to determine the level of briefness. Level 10 indicates the most complete records (the least brief) and level 1 indicates the most brief. See Brief Record.
Brief Record     A brief record is one that Alma considers to have a less than ideal amount of information, as determiend by the Brief Level Rules. See Brief Level.
Bursar Transaction ID     A unique ID sent to the bursar system together with fines and fees, in order to enable the bursar system to let Alma know when a fine or fee is paid.
Campus     "A campus is a group of libraries. An Alma library can optionally belong to a single campus. A campus can be used to manage: the discovery of electronic resources within campus libraries; the priority of discovered physical resources and the physical location from which discovery is being made; the allowed pick-up location of a physical resource. "
Cash Balance   Cash Balance The money that is currently in the Fund/Ledger. [Cash Balance] = [Allocated Balance] - [Expenditures]. It does not count encumbrances or disencumbrances.
Cataloging Permission Levels     The permission level assigned to a user's profile determines which bibliographic records the user can update in the Institution Zone or Network Zone, based on the cataloger levels assigned to the bibliographic records.
Central Discovery Index CDI   Replaced Primo Central Index (Feb. 2020). A mega-aggregation of hundreds of millions of scholarly e-resources. These include journal articles, e-books, reviews, legal documents and more that are harvested from primary and secondary publishers and aggregators, and from open-access repositories.
Central Knowledge Base CKB   The part of the Community Zone that contains linking information to electronic resources around the world.
Circulation Desk   Circulation Happening Location The location in the library that handles patron fulfillment.
Citation     In Reserves, a citation is an element of a reading list. A citation can be a library resource, such as an item in the repository, a URL, an uploaded PDF, or nearly anything else.
Cloud Computing     The delivery of software and storage of data at a location (a server) remote from the physical location of the library, accessed using the internet. Alma is a cloud computing based service.
Code Table     An Alma feature for configuring a list of items, typically so that they can appear in a drop-down list elsewhere in Alma. Code tables are generally only available to administrators.
Collaborative Network     The overarching concept for all types of collaboration (for example, cataloging, acquisitions, fulfillment) between multiple institutions. In Alma, collaboration may include resource sharing, a fulfillment network, and/or the implementation of a Network Zone.
Collection     A collection (unrelated to an electronic collection; see Electronic Collection) is an entity in Alma that groups together bibliographic records that have a relationship of some kind.
Community Catalog     Metadata records stored in the Community Zone, which are updated as required by Ex Libris or by contributions from the community. Inventory records can link to these records. Alternatively, the current versions of these records can be copied to the institution and maintained locally.
Community Zone CZ   Ex Libris maintained resources available to all Alma institutions. Incoporated are the Knowledge Base, the Community Catalog, and Global Authority Files. It can be accessed by any institution that is part of Alma for cataloging purposes.
Continuous Order   Continuation Includes both standing orders and serial orders.
Database     A type of electronic collection in Alma represented by an unsuppressed bibliographic record containing a URL to the online interface used to access resources. Databases do not have any portfolios in Alma. They can be searched or browsed via Primo VE.
Delivery     Enabling the patron who requested access to a digital resource to view or access a copy of that resource. The majority of I-Share libraries are not enabling document delivery as a ready-day-of-go-live service.
Delivery Rules     Electronic document delivery rules provide functionality that enables libraries to take portions of a resource and make digital copies of that portion only. These rules define the conditions under which libraries can perform this function. The majority of I-Share libraries are not enabling document delivery as a ready-day-of-go-live service.
Department   Happening Location An area in the library where dedicated physical inventory actions take place, such as receiving acquired physical material and digitizing physical material.
Deposit     The Deposit feature allows patrons to submit digital content to Alma to be added to the repository.
Description Column     A column in subject areas that holds a flat list of values that are also known as members. No hierarchical relationship exists between these members, as is the case for members of a hierarchical column.
Digital Resource     A file or group of files with metadata that exists on a local network, a server, or in the cloud. It may include, among other possible formats, streaming media, e-books, video, or images. Digital resource files can be stored and managed externally, but the metadata is managed by Alma. The resource generally requires a viewer on the user’s machine.
Digitization Approval     The process of approving a digitization request. The process may include receiving copyright clearance from the proper agencies.
Dimension     In Analytics: Tables that contain descriptive attributes (or fields) that are typically textual fields or discrete numbers behaving like text. Dimension attributes such as Library Code, Vendor Name, or Loan Date give facts a context.
Dimension Table     In Analytics: Dimension tables contains descriptive attributes (or fields) intended to give context to a Fact table. Typically, descriptive attributes are textual fields or discrete numbers that behave like text. Examples include Library Code, Vendor Name or Loan Date.
Discovery     The feature that allows a patron to find records and inventory from the Alma Repository. Primo VE is I-Share's Alma discovery system.
Disencumbrance   Disencumbrance In a Ledger/Fund: The removal of an encumbrance.
Electronic     "Electronic" refers to licensed material which gets activated/de-activated.
Electronic Collection   SFX Equivalent: Target A collection of electronic resources that can contain packages (which include portfolios) or databases (which include URLs). Electronic collections are bundled together in a vendor interface.
Electronic Data Interchange EDI EDI Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) is an automated method of communication between an institution and its vendors. EDI requires files to be placed in a certain directory. Files to be sent to an EDI-enabled vendor are automatically exported by Alma to an FTP location where they are fetched by a vendor system. Files placed at the FTP location by an EDI-enabled vendor are automatically loaded and parsed by Alma.
Electronic Resource     A digital object that is stored and managed externally from the local library.
Embedded Order Data EOD EOD MARC files from vendors with embedded order information. In Alma, you can create bibs, holdings, items, and POLs.
Embedded Order Data Record EOD Record   A record with vendor-supplied fields that describe the library’s purchase order for a resource (known as "embedded order confirmation record" by some vendors). Alma imports the EOD record, enters the description into the MMS, and turns the embedded order information into a PO line.
Encumbrance   Encumbrance A notation in a fund that a certain amount of the current cash balance is allocated to an impending purchase. They are typically created as a result of a PO Line. Encumbrances are canceled by disencumbrances (of the same amount) and typically replaced with expenditures (of the same amount).
Evaluation     When a vendor offers new electronic material to the institution for evaluation, or a request is received from a member of the institution to have electronic material evaluated, library staff can run a trial to evaluate the material. In Alma, an evaluation is the workflow of using and evaluating the material. A trial is an instance of the evaluation workflow.
Event     An action that involves at least one entity or agent in the system. Used for audit trail purposes, you can view events associated with a job on the Running and History tabs of the Monitor Jobs page, as well as in Analytics. See Completed Jobs and Events subject area in Analytics.
External Searches   Z39.50 Targets Protocol for conducting searches of external databases.
External System     An institution’s existing data management system that Alma may use as a source or target for information. Examples are a student information system or an ERP (Enterprise Resource Planning system such as PeopleSoft).
Extract, Transform, and Load ETL   A process that extracts data from the operational database and builds the Analytics data warehouse. Also known as a "full database refresh".
Facets     Facets are used in search results lists to filter the results. For example, PO Lines may be filtered by fund, location, or digital format.
Fact Table     In Analytics: Consists of the measurements, metrics, or facts related to a business process and contains the core part of the subject area such as fund transactions or user loans. See also Dimension Table.
Fulfillment   Circulation The process by which patrons borrow and return physical resources, or access electronic or digital resources. This includes such circulation and resource sharing functions as checking out materials to patrons (charge), checking in material from patrons (discharge), working with user (patron) records, transiting (routing) materials for local or I-Share resource sharing, and monitoring the hold shelf.
Fulfillment Configuration Utility     The Fulfillment Configuration Utility displays the permissions the patron would receive if a specified item were loaned to the specified patron, without needing to actually check the item out to the patron's record. Only certain user roles can access the utility, which is located in Alma> Fulfillment > Advanced Tools > Fulfillment Configuration Utility.
Fulfillment Policy     Stipulations of a Terms of Use contract that define the library service attributes and parameters imposed when a patron receives a service from the library. Fulfillment policies are divided into policy types such as loan periods, late fees, etc.
Fulfillment Unit     One or more physical shelving locations within an institution that follow same or similar lending/return policies.
Full Text Service     A service that provides the user with access to the full text of the electronic resource.
Fund   Fund Budgets for funding acquisitions. Funds are aggregated in a ledger. An allocated fund represents an actual budget. A summary fund is a collection of related or similar funds.
Fund Code   Fund Code Three levels of funds (broad to narrow): Ledger, Summary Funds, and Allocated Funds. Allocated Funds have the actual money attached and are used for ordering.
Hierarchical Column     In Analytics: A column that holds data values that are organized using both named levels and parent-child relationships. This column is displayed using a tree-like structure. Individual members are shown in an outline manner, with lower-level members rolling into higher-level members.
Import Profile   Bulk Import Rules A feature that defines how records are imported into Alma. Profiles determine how records are matched, merged, mapped, normalized, and validated.
In Review     Orders (POL, PO) and invoices which Alma flags as containing errors that must be manually reviewed.
Institution     A group of campuses/libraries managed together, the basic unit managed using a single Alma installation. Multiple institutions can share services and management tasks using a collaborative network. For example, a university may be an Institution consisting of a main library, a science library, a business library, and several specialized libraries.
Institution Catalog     The Institution Catalog contains the institution's local records. The Community Catalog contains records provided to all institutions, by Ex Libris or community-contributed. The Network Catalog contains records centrally-managed in a Network Zone.
Institution Zone IZ   An I-Share library's local institutional data such as locally managed bibliographic records, locally activated electronic portfolios, and local physical holdings.
Integration Profile     Integration profiles define the parameters for the import and export processes between Alma and an External System.
Intellectual Entity IE   A resource that is being managed and described in the Alma system. An IE may have one or more holdings or digital representations.
Interested User     A user who will be notified about changes to a PO Line.
Inventory   Holdings/Items The resources that are owned or licensed by or associated with a particular library, institution, or consortium. All descriptive bibliographic metadata resides in the repository and can be edited using the Metadata management system.
Is Prompted     In Analytics: valid for a column containing text, numbers, or dates and is used to include only those records in the column where no pre-filtered values are desired.
Item   Item The inventory level of a resource for fulfillment and usage. Items may include barcodes and other identification details.
Item Policy   Item Type Terms of Use rules can include the Item Policy as an input parameter considered when determining whether something can be loaned, requested, etc., depending on the combination of patron, Fulfillment Unit location, and Item Policy.
Itemized Set     A curated list of individual items (members) of a single record type. A static set that is chosen and then saved as is.
Job   Job A scheduled, invoked, or on-request process that runs on a group of records, in the background.
KnowledgeBase     See Central Knowledge Base.
Ledger   Ledger The highest level of the fund structure hierarchy. Ledgers represent campus and funding source (as defined by library business offices). 
Lending Request     A resource sharing request placed by another institution’s patron and fulfilled by a resource of the local institution. Otherwise known as a resource sharing incoming request.
Library     The basic level in the hierarchical structure of management within Alma, which is collaborative network, institution, campus, and library. A library can have shelving locations, circulation desks, and departments that handle work orders.
Local Portfolio     A portfolio that exists in the Institution Zone.
Localizing     Creating a local copy of something, such as an electronic resource (the item is copied from the Community Zone to the Institution Zone). For electronic resources, this is typically done before or while activating the resource.
Location   Shelving Location A physical place where items are stored (for example, a shelving location).
Logical Set     The results of a saved query. A dynamic set that updates each time the query is run. (See also Set)
Management Tag     The record's brief level, as well as fields that determine whether to publish records to a discovery system or export the record. Publish and export fields can be set during record import or from within the Metadata editor.
Mapping Table     In Alma configuration, a mapping table contains the settings that define a particular type of configuration.
MARC Record   MARC Record Alma supports MARC21 records (a North American standard), and can also support alternate MARC formats such as CNMARC (a Chinese standard), UNIMARC (a European standard), and KORMARC (A Korean standard).
Match Method     Defined methods Alma uses to identify duplicate records during a record import. When a record is loaded, Alma attempts to find a similar record based on the enabled match method.
Material Type     The type of material, such as a book or electronic journal collection, from which an item takes its form. Note that the material type does not control the PO Line workflow and can be modified when creating/editing a PO Line. Unless hidden, an item's Material Type appears in Primo’s Get It/Details tabs. Material Types are system-defined, but they can be enabled or disabled and their labels can be configured.
Measurement Column     In Analytics: A column of data in subject areas that holds a simple list of data values that can change or can be counted or aggregated in some way.
Merge Rules     Rules specifying how bibligographic record fields will be merged between an existing and an incoming record during an import.
Metadata Editor MD Editor   The tool for editing and creating bibliographic and holdings records in Alma.
Metadata Management System MMS   The interfaces, functions, and data that define institutional systems and allow them to manipulate their descriptive metadata. The MMS includes a Community Zone and a Library Zone. See Metadata Management System ID (MMS ID)
Metadata Management System ID MMS ID   The record ID number. The MMS ID can be 8 to 19 digits long. See Metadata management system.
Metadata Profile     A set of configuration parameters that define the cataloging environment you use when working in the MD Editor.
Network Zone NZ   A management tool used by a Collaborative Network to centrally manage certain features, such as configuration tables, licenses, and records. A virtual institution (also called the Network Zone) is used as the management interface and central repository and catalog.
Normalization Rules     A set of rules that can be built and applied to bibliographic records in order to enhance the records. These rules may add fields, remove fields, or make changes to fields. The rules can be applied to an individual record or to a group of records.
One-time Order   Firm Order An order for a one-time resource, be it a book, other physical material, a print journal, or a one-time electronic book.
OpenURL   SFX Equivelent: Open URL A type of Uniform Resource Locator (URL) that contains the address of an OpenURL Web site combined with the item's identification. The Alma Link Resolver responds to OpenURL requests and directs the patron to the resource.
Organization Unit     An Institution or Library. Also, a Library which can be configured for Fulfillment and which controls the Fulfillment Unit collections under its control. An Organizational Unit may have staff users, a physical (billing) address, departments, a circulation desk, funds, and other objects associated with it. See Library.
Package     A type of electronic collection whose resources can be individually managed through an interface.
Packaging     An automated method by which PO Lines are passed through normalization and validations and are brought together into a Purchase Order, ready for approval.
Patron Digitization Request     A request by a patron for the digitization of a resource.
Patron Directory Service (PDS) PDS   A back-end Web component that facilitates user authentication and signing in to the system. PDS is part of the standard calling application package, but it is a distinct and separate component. It does not have a user database of its own. It works with the institution’s authentication server(s) and user database(s), such as an LDAP directory service.
Persistent Search Box     A search box consisting of various search options. The persistent search box is always available from the top middle of any Alma page.
Physical     Physical refers to anything with a holding/item, including print items (print books, print journals). Note you can have a holding without an item but not an item without a holding.
Physical Titles (Search)         Physical Titles will search all indexed fields from records with physical inventory.
Pick Slip   Call Slip Alma handles many types of requests. A Pick Slip is a letter that staff can print to aide in the retrieval of the item from the shelf for its next processing steps. Certain workflows in Alma cause a request for an item to be listed in the Fulfillment > Resource Requests > Pick from Shelf list. Some of these workflows are internal, such as the item needs work done for acquisitions, technical services, etc. The Pick from Shelf List will also include "Patron Physical Item" requests; pick slips printed for patron physical item requests are these are similar to Call Slips in Voyager.
PID PID   Alma system number for an inventory entity. It can be used, for example, by the Portfolio Loader for matching purposes. The PID can be 8 to 19 digits long.
Portfolio   SFX Equivalent: Object Portfolio The specific coverage, services, and link information relevant for a particular electronic title within an electronic collection. May include administrative/access information. May be local or global.
Primo Central Index     Primo's central database, replaced by the Central Discovery Index in February 2020. See Central Discovery Index.
Primo VE     Ex Libris' discovery system for patrons used by I-Share libraries. A single search interface to access information on print, electronic and digital collections with facets to search at your library as well as at all I-Share libraries.
Privileges     Permissions to perform certain actions in Alma, or to access specific pages, fields, or options in Alma. A User Role is defined by the privileges that it grants the user. See User Roles.
Process     A job run on a set of records.
Process Type   Status (PO, Line Item, Invoice) Identifies the Technical Services status such as On Order, etc.
Prompt User     In Analytics: Valid for a column that contains text, numbers, or dates and is used to enable a user to select the dashboard or report prompt operator when running the report.
Public Trial     Trial feedback may be received from a predefined trial participant group and from general users.
Publishing     A process that extracts and formats metadata for external uses, such as for discovery in Primo.
Purchase Order PO Purchase Order (PO) A group (one or more) of PO Lines with certain fields in common sent to a single vendor.
Purchase Order (PO) Line POL Purchase Order Line Item One or more copies of a bibliographic item purchased by a library. Purchases can be physical, electronic, or digital, and they may be one-time, continuous (for example, subscriptions), or standing orders.
Purchase Order (PO) Line Owner     Unit/Library responsible for creating the order (often responsible for receiving and paying for order as well).
Purchase Order (PO) Line Type   Purchase Order Line Type Also purchase type. Defines the type of inventory and continuity (one-time or continuous) of the PO line. 
Purchase Request     An item requested to be purchased by an instructor or patron (or on behalf of an instructor or patron). Also known as a Patron Purchase Request (PPR).
Reading List     A list of citations for a specific course. A component part of the course reserves setup and functionality.
Receiving   Receiving The process of indicating that the piece has been received at the library from the vendor.
Receiving Department   Happening Location In Alma, receiving physical material is organized within Receiving Departments. A user must be "at" a certain Receiving Department to be able to receive the orders associated with that department. This is achieved by chosing the Receiving Department via the location icon or drop-down menu (one or the other based on your setting) on the persistent menu bar (upper right corner). The current location will be listed there (e.g. "ITS 625 Acquisitions – ITS Tech Services" or "Fine Arts Library – FAL Circulation"). In the dropdown menu, make sure the "Always Show Current Location" box is checked.  In some cases, the Receiving Department will correspond to the POL owner.
Receiving Note     A text note intended for the receiver ("receiving operator").
Record     A discrete, manageable entity in Alma. Examples include repository records (bibliographic records, authority records), inventory (physical items, electronic portfolios, digital representations, deposits), PO lines, users, reading lists, vendors, and so forth.
Record List     An Alma list that displays a list of Alma records.
Regular Expression     A series of characters that define a search/match pattern. They can be used with Alma Analytics as well as with third-party tools like MarcEdit.
Remote Storage     When an institution has a robotic retrieval system for shelving/pulling requested materials, they can use the Remote Storage functionality in Alma to transfer the pick list requests from Alma to an FTP directory for retrieval and processing by the robotic system.
Reporting Code     The 4 digit field with a fund that indicates the type of material purchased; this can be added either in the POL or in the invoice line item.
Repository     All information that Alma has about physical titles and items, electronic titles, collections, and portfolios, digital titles and representations, management collections, and authorities. The repository includes titles for which your institution may not have any inventory, as well as your institution's normalization, merge, and indication rules. All descriptive metadata can be edited using the Metadata Management System (MMS).
Representation     The digital record level under the bibliographic record level. This level acts as a container for the digital files. Multiple representations can be attached to the bibliographic record. One representation can be the master copy and another a derivative copy and can differ in format, resolution, or size. See Digital Resources.
Request     A resource request (or "request") is for the acquisition, manipulation, movement, or processing of inventory. Also it sometimes refers to a Work Order. See Pick Slip for more information.
Requester     The user for whom a request is made. The request form can be filled out by the requesting user or by a staff user on behalf of the requester.
Resource Request     A request to make a library resource available at a specific location for a specific purpose. The resource request may be triggered by a patron-initiated request or by an internal library work order requests.
Resource Sharing Partner     In Alma, a Resource Sharing Partner represents institution or a distinct external ILL system that participates in a resource sharing process, either as borrower or as lender, and placing or filling requests at the "library level." This is different than the Automated Fulfillment Network (AFN), where patrons can place requests on their own behalf. The majority of I-Share libraries are not enabling resource sharing beyond the AFN as a ready-day-of-go-live service.
Resource Type     The type of item in the repository (based on existing bibliographic fields, such as the LDR and 008) or being ordered. A resource is physical, electronic, or digital, but may have a more specific type (not including its physical material type).
Rota List     A list of potential lending partners that are searched to fulfill the sharing request.
Row Action Item List (the ellipsis icon)     The ellipsis icon on any row of results or information in Alma. Click on that - or right click anywhere in the row - to see a list of actions that can be performed on that row.
Rules Table     An Alma feature for configuring a list of rules that are processed in order in order to control some functional flow.
Scan In Items   Provides "Discharge" and "Pick and Scan" Functionality In Alma, the Scan In Items functionality under Fulfillment > Resource Requests > Scan in Items provides library staff with one place to perform multiple types of transactions. The Scan in Items function is used heavily by the AFN workflow. The Scan in Items > Change Item Information tab provides some of the functionality that had been provided by Pick and Scan in Voyager.
Secondary Search     A search field that appears above some tables and lists. Use this search to search within the table or list.
Selective Package     A type of electronic collection that includes only some of the collection’s titles (as opposed to an aggregator package, which includes all of the e-collection’s titles).
Service   SFX Equivalent: Target Service A resource that can be purchased by a library, with or without inventory. For example, a library might purchase access to a particular website as a service.
Set     A saved list of items, such as "My Book Collection" or a saved search query. A set is created so that multiple items can be worked on by a job, or to collect items for other use. See also Logical Set, Itemized Set.
Shelf Report   ShelfLister The Shelf Report provides you with an efficient process for managing the library’s inventory. Using the Shelf Report functionality, you are able to manage Physical Inventory to see if items are in place, misshelved, or missing.
Sip ID     A number for a transitory set of records affected by a job. See documentation on configuring Search Indexes.
SIP2     A protocol from 3M that provides a standard interface between a library’s automated circulation system and library automation devices. See documentation on configuring SIP2 Bin Configuration.
Staff User   Operator ID An individual who has permissions to work in Alma. Also known simply as a user.
Subject Area     Data in Analytics that is organized into subject areas such as Funds Expenditure, Fulfillment, Users, Fines and Fees, and Physical Items. Subject areas contain folders, measure columns, attribute columns, and hierarchical columns.
Summary Funds   Summary Funds Funds that are used for aggregate reporting on the subordinate funds. Summary Funds can contain other Summary Funds or Allocated Funds. Summary Funds are not used for ordering or invoicing.
Suppress   Suppress Mark a record to prevent it from appearing in discovery.
Target     An Electronic Collection in Alma terminology. See Electronic Resource.
Task     An operation waiting for manual user intervention. Alternatively, a single step in a process, such as a Normalization process.
Task List     A list of user tasks appearing in the persistent menu.
Terms of Use   Loan Policies A list of predefined fulfillment policies that defines the institution/library commitment to the patron and under which the service will be provided or disconnected.
Transit Slip   Route Slip A printed slip attached to a physical item that is placed in transit. The slip identifies the requested material and its destination. For example, on a Hold Shelf.
Transit Slip   Route Slip A letter that is printed out by library staff and added to an item when it is sent from one place to another.
Unified Resource Management URM   The Ex Libris resource management framework that allows libraries to optimize technical support, purchasing power, collections, and staff knowledge and resources.
Update Inventory   Enhanced Cataloging Record The process of loading enhanced-cataloging records
User     A person with any sort of Alma user account: a staff user, an instructor, or a patron.
User Blocks     Flags on a user’s account that can prevent various fulfillment activities such as requests or loans.
User Role Profiles     A predefined group of roles (including scopes) that may be attached to users in one action.
User Roles     The privileges that a user has to work on Alma. A user's roles (actually, the roles' privileges) determine a user's access to certain pages, fields, options and areas on certain pages, as well as the ability to run certain jobs and processes. A user role may have a specific scope, related to a specific library.
Vendor   Vendor The supplier of physical or electronic goods or services. For physical goods, the vendor is a material supplier. For electronic goods or services, the vendor is the access provider, or there may be a third-party access providers or licensors.
Vendor Account   Vendor Account A subset of the vendor; may contain business rules for specific types of data. For example, a rush account may contain contacts and instructions on how to handle this material. 
Vendor Code     The numerical code assigned to vendors.
Vendor Electronic Data Interchange (EDI) EDI   Vendors configured to send EDI orders from Alma.
Vendor Interface     A collection of electronic collections offered by a vendor. A vendor interface is also known as a platform.
Vendor Invoice Number     A number assigned to all PO Lines uploaded from the same invoice file from an EOD.
Work Order   Pseudopatron An internal library request to route physical materials for internal processing. A work order sends an item to a work order department (marking it as not available on the shelf), where it can be managed according to internal statuses. Both departments and statuses are configurable and can be used to manage tasks according to a library’s local needs. May be referred to as a "request" in certain contexts.

Resources Consulted:

Harvard Library's Glossary with Crosswalks from Aleph

Ex Libris'sAlma Glossary