CA Reference Services & Access Management

Question 1

Which US federal law most directly governs public access to federal agency records and requires agencies to make records available upon request?

Accepted Answer

Freedom of Information Act (FOIA)

Answer

Privacy Act of 1974

Answer

Federal Records Act

Answer

National Archives Act

Question 2

What is a 'finding aid' primarily designed to do?

Accepted Answer

Help researchers understand and navigate the contents and structure of archival collections

Answer

Preserve fragile documents from physical handling

Answer

Document the monetary value of archival holdings

Answer

Provide item-level digital copies of records

Question 3

In archival reference services, 'mediated access' means:

Accepted Answer

Requiring researchers to work through an archivist who retrieves requested materials

Answer

Providing digital surrogates instead of originals

Answer

Using automated systems to route reference requests

Answer

Offering access only during scheduled appointments

Question 4

Which element is considered the cornerstone of a researcher's registration process in a US archives?

Accepted Answer

Signed statement agreeing to rules of use and copyright obligations

Answer

Proof of academic affiliation

Answer

Payment of a research fee

Answer

Submission of a detailed research proposal

Question 5

What does 'restricted access' in an archival finding aid typically indicate?

Accepted Answer

Certain records are unavailable to researchers due to donor conditions, privacy, or legal requirements

Answer

The materials are only available in digital format

Answer

The collection has not yet been fully processed

Answer

Access requires an appointment only

Question 6

The concept of 'maximum availability' in archival reference services means:

Accepted Answer

Repositories should make their holdings as widely accessible as legally and ethically possible

Answer

All collections should be digitized for online access

Answer

No access restrictions should ever be imposed

Answer

Collections should have 24/7 reading room availability