FSU Libraries Resource Sharing Guide

Last Reviewed: 4/25/25

This glossary is designed to help explain any jargon related to Resource Sharing at FSU Libraries. The library world is full of acronyms or unfamiliar terms that can make accessing resources a confusing process.

To view the sources we adapted the definitions from, scroll to the bottom of the page in "Glossary Sources" or click the number next to the word to jump directly to its source.

Sources are listed in the order in which they were used to adapt definitions.

Abstract ¹:  This can be used in three ways.

1. A summary of an article in a scholarly journal. It usually appears at the beginning of the article.
2. An index to journal articles that not only provides citations to the articles but also gives a summary of each.
3. A summary of a paper presented at a conference. The full text of the paper may or may not be published. ¹

Alma: is a library services management system that allows the library to catalog, assess, and analyze the library's collection. Scholars like you will interact from the discovery layer, which is FSU OneSearch.

ARMS ²: "Automated Request Manager, this allows for the automation of requests. Essentially, once you submit a request, then it goes through multiples checks to see if it meets certain criteria to be sent to another library without needing mediation from staff. 

Article: Any article that has been scanned or downloaded, and that does not have to be returned to the lending library.

Book: In reference to ILL, a book refers to a physical, bound item such as a print monograph or volume, requested and shipped between libraries for loan.

Book Chapter: In ILL, book chapter requests involve scanning a specific chapter or portion of a physical book, rather than borrowing the entire item. These are sent digitally and do not need to be returned.

Book Straps ³: Either printable or vinyl labels for ILL materials that are wrapped around the cover of the book. It is important to keep all paperwork with the item.

Borrowing: The sharing of resources between institutions. In ILLiad, this is a mediated or unmediated process by which borrowing requests are processed.

Borrowing Library: The institution where the request originated. We borrow materials from other libraries. 

Call Number: A unique identifier of numbers and letters assigned to a title that tells you where it should be located on the shelf of the library. It's like an address for a book. 

Conditional ³: When a request has been sent with a "Conditional" it means that the library will lend the item, but only under certain conditions that the borrower has to accept. For example, if it is a special collections item, the lender set the conditional that the item is for in-library use only. Or, if a request does not have enough information, they may send a conditional to ask for verification of the citation. 

Dissertation/Thesis: In ILL, full dissertations or theses may be loaned in print if available, but many are only available digitally or through institutional repositories. Availability and format vary by institution.

Fair-Use Guidelines ⁴: This is a legal doctrine that encourages freedom of expression by permitting the unlicensed use of copyright-protected works in certain circumstances.

Field: In general terms of information, this is a place where data is stored. 

IFM ³: Interlibrary Loan Fee Management. This service is a means for tracking payments and charges for interlibrary loan transactions through a library's monthly OCLC invoice. 

ILL: Acronym for Interlibrary Loan

ILLiad: The software program that we use to manage Interlibrary Loan transactions, including borrowing, document delivery, and lending. 

Interlibrary Loan (ILL): Interlibrary Loan is a cooperative agreement between libraries throughout the globe that allows libraries to place requests and share materials to and from other libraries. 

ISBN ⁵: International Standard Book Number, a unique, standardized numerical identifier used by libraries, booksellers, and publishers to identify specific editions and copies of books. There are different ISBN numbers for hardback, paperback, eBook, and audiobook versions of a text, and once assigned an ISBN will never be reassigned to another text. These are generally not assigned to magazines, academic journals or periodicals unless that periodical is published as a stand-alone book.

ISSN ⁵: International Standard Series Number, this is both a U.S and an International standard that is assigned by the U.S. ISSN Center at the Library  of Congress, and is the standard identifier for serials such as journals, magazine, newspapers, etc. whether published in print or online. 

Lending Library: A library that provides materials to FSU on behalf of the requesting scholar.

Lender String ³: List of potential lending libraries in an ILLiad request. Requests will be either filled or cancelled by the lending library, and then the request will move to the next in the string. Requests can either be manually cancelled to move along, or time out, depending on the set turn around time for each library. 

Microfiche ¹: Generally, a 4” x 6” sheet of film on which a printed book, journal, newspaper, or other publication has been reduced in size. 

Microfilm ¹: A roll of film on which a printed book, journal, newspaper, or other publication has been reduced in size. 

OCLC Number: A unique number for each item in Worldcat; it can be used to locate specific items in Worldcat when requesting items. 

OCLC Symbol ³: "A unique identifier assigned by OCLC to member libraries and other participants. OCLC symbols in records and in holdings displays identify libraries that have entered, modified, and used the bibliographic records for cataloging."

OneSearch: OneSearch is the library’s discovery tool powered by Alma, allowing users to search across the library catalog, databases, electronic resources, and UBorrow holdings—all in one place.

Open Access (OA) ¹: "a set of principles and a range of practices through which research outputs are distributed online, free of access charges or other barriers."

Patent ⁷: "A protection granted for the utility and design of products and plants. Researching patent documents can be helpful in determining existing technologies."

Periodical: An item that is published on a regular basis, such as journals, magazines, and newspapers. 

Standard ⁸: "Outlines requirements, specifications, guidelines, or characteristics for the design of a product."

Unmediated Borrowing: A request submitted with complete and accurate information that meets specific criteria, allowing it to be sent  automatically from the scholar to the lending library. This often results in faster delivery. 

Glossary Sources

1. Definition(s) adapted from the Boise State University ILL Glossary.
2. Definition(s) adapted from the Atlas Systems: Automated Request Manager.
3. Definition(s) adapted from the OCLC Interlibrary Loan Glossary.
4. Definition(s) adapted from the OCLC Glossary.
5. Definition(s) adapted from the U.S. Copyright Office: Fair Use Guidelines.
6. Definition(s) adapted from the American Library Association (ALA) Resource Guides.
7. Definition(s) from the FSU Entrepreneurship LibGuide.
8. Definition(s) from the FSU Entrepreneurship LibGuide.