Library Science Archives and Special Collections

Question 1

What is the primary purpose of a finding aid in an archival setting?

Accepted Answer

To describe the contents and organization of an archival collection

Answer

To catalog items for purchase in a library

Answer

To provide digital access to all archival materials

Answer

To list books available for interlibrary loan

Question 2

Which of the following best defines 'provenance' as used in archival practice?

Accepted Answer

The origin and history of custody of archival records

Answer

The physical condition of archival documents

Answer

The monetary value assigned to rare manuscripts

Answer

The subject classification of archival collections

Question 3

What does the archival principle of 'respect des fonds' require?

Accepted Answer

Keeping records from the same creator together as a unit

Answer

Translating foreign-language documents before cataloging

Answer

Digitizing all rare materials within five years of acquisition

Answer

Storing financial records separately from personal correspondence

Question 4

Encoded Archival Description (EAD) is a standard used primarily for:

Accepted Answer

Structuring finding aids in a machine-readable XML format

Answer

Encoding digital images of manuscripts in archives

Answer

Cataloging audiovisual materials using MARC records

Answer

Encoding preservation metadata for born-digital records

Question 5

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

Accepted Answer

Society of American Archivists (SAA)

Answer

American Library Association (ALA)

Answer

Library of Congress (LC)

Answer

National Archives and Records Administration (NARA)

Question 6

In archival practice, what is 'original order'?

Accepted Answer

The arrangement of records as they were maintained by the creating entity

Answer

The sequence in which materials were acquired by the repository

Answer

The chronological order in which documents were digitized

Answer

The order in which a researcher requested access to materials

Question 7

What type of material is typically found in a 'special collections' department of a library?

Accepted Answer

Rare books, manuscripts, photographs, and unique primary sources

Answer

High-circulation paperback novels and textbooks

Answer

Current periodical subscriptions and newspapers

Answer

Reference databases and e-journal bundles