Mixed Deck — All Library Science Topics Flashcards

In the Dewey Decimal System, which number range covers the social sciences?

Answer: 300–399

The 300s in the Dewey Decimal Classification cover social sciences, including sociology, political science, economics, and law.

Which of the following is an example of a controlled vocabulary used in medical libraries?

Answer: MeSH

MeSH (Medical Subject Headings), maintained by the National Library of Medicine, is the controlled vocabulary used for indexing medical and health sciences literature.

What is 'EZproxy' used for in academic libraries?

Answer: Authenticating off-campus users to access licensed electronic resources

EZproxy (by OCLC) is a proxy server that authenticates library users accessing licensed databases and electronic resources from off campus.

Which statistic measures cost-effectiveness of a periodical subscription relative to use?

Answer: Cost per use

Cost per use divides the total subscription cost by the number of times the resource was accessed, helping librarians evaluate whether a subscription is economically justified.

What is 'embedded librarianship' in information literacy instruction?

Answer: A librarian integrated into a course team who provides ongoing research support within the course context

An embedded librarian is integrated directly into a course — participating in course management systems, co-teaching, or providing ongoing research support aligned with course assignments.

Which organization publishes 'Describing Archives: A Content Standard' (DACS)?

Answer: Society of American Archivists (SAA)

DACS is published and maintained by the Society of American Archivists and provides rules for describing archival materials and their creators.

What is 'digitization' in the library context?

Answer: Converting physical materials (books, photographs, manuscripts) to digital format

Digitization is the process of converting analog physical materials — such as photographs, manuscripts, microfilm, or books — into digital formats for preservation and access.

Which term describes the process of transferring records from one digital format to another to ensure continued accessibility over time?

Answer: Migration

Migration involves converting digital files from one format to a newer or more sustainable format to prevent obsolescence, ensuring content remains accessible as technology changes.

What does the CREW method stand for in collection weeding?

Answer: Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding

CREW (Continuous Review, Evaluation, and Weeding) is a systematic weeding method developed for public libraries that uses age, usage, and condition criteria for deselection decisions.

What is 'readers' advisory' in public library services?

Answer: Helping patrons find books they will enjoy based on their reading preferences

Readers' advisory is a patron-centered service where librarians suggest books and other materials tailored to the reader's interests and past reading preferences.

What does 'LOCKSS' stand for and how does it support digital preservation?

Answer: Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe — a distributed digital preservation network where libraries archive copies of licensed content

LOCKSS (Lots of Copies Keep Stuff Safe) is a peer-reviewed digital preservation network developed at Stanford that allows libraries to maintain distributed, redundant copies of electronic content.

What does 'ILL' stand for in library services?

Answer: Interlibrary Loan

Interlibrary Loan (ILL) is the service by which a library obtains materials from another library for a patron whose home library does not own them.

What is the primary purpose of a library 'annual report'?

Answer: To communicate the library's achievements, statistics, and value to stakeholders and the public

A library annual report summarizes activities, statistics, accomplishments, and financial information for the past year, communicating the library's value and impact to its stakeholders and community.

What is 'digital preservation' and why is it important for libraries?

Answer: The management of digital materials over time to ensure they remain accessible and authentic despite technological change

Digital preservation involves active strategies to maintain digital content's integrity, authenticity, and accessibility across technological changes — including format migration and emulation.

What is the purpose of a 'search log' or 'research journal' in information literacy instruction?

Answer: To help students reflect on and document their search strategies, terms, and sources found

A search log or research journal helps students record and reflect on their search strategies, keywords tried, databases searched, and sources found, promoting metacognitive research skills.

What is 'DSpace' in the library technology context?

Answer: An open-source software platform widely used for building institutional repositories

DSpace is an open-source repository platform developed by MIT and HP that is widely used by academic libraries to build institutional repositories for research output.

What is a 'Friends of the Library' organization?

Answer: A volunteer advocacy and fundraising group that supports the library's programs and services

Friends of the Library groups are volunteer organizations that advocate for the library, raise supplemental funds, and organize programs to build community support.

What does 'copy cataloging' mean in library practice?

Answer: Adapting an existing bibliographic record from a shared database

Copy cataloging involves finding and adapting an existing bibliographic record (e.g., from OCLC WorldCat) rather than creating one from scratch.

What is the function of a 'records retention schedule' in records management?

Answer: A timetable specifying how long each category of record should be kept before disposition

A records retention schedule establishes legally and administratively determined time periods for keeping different types of records, after which they may be destroyed or transferred to an archive.

What is the 'reference interview' in library science?

Answer: A structured conversation to clarify a patron's information need

The reference interview is a conversational process where a librarian asks questions to clarify and understand the patron's actual information need before recommending resources.