Reference and Information Services Flashcards
7 cards from real LTA practice questions. Tap to flip, then mark Knew It or Still Learning — missed cards come back until you master them.
Read the first 7 Reference and Information Services flashcards as text
Which tool would be MOST useful for finding a specific article when you already know the author's name and approximate publication date?
Answer: A periodical index or database
Periodical indexes and article databases allow searches by author name and date to locate specific journal or magazine articles.
The term 'Boolean operators' in database searching refers to:
Answer: Words like AND, OR, NOT used to combine or exclude search terms
Boolean operators (AND, OR, NOT) are logical connectors that help narrow, broaden, or exclude terms in a database search.
A patron is looking for information about a local historical event from 1952. Which resource would likely be MOST helpful?
Answer: Historical local newspaper archives or microfilm
Local newspaper archives and microfilm collections contain detailed historical accounts of events in specific communities.
What does the acronym 'OPAC' stand for in library terminology?
Answer: Online Public Access Catalog
OPAC stands for Online Public Access Catalog, the computerized library catalog available to patrons for searching the library's holdings.
Which of the following best describes a 'subject heading' in cataloging?
Answer: A standardized term assigned to a work to describe its topic
Subject headings are controlled vocabulary terms assigned by catalogers to describe the content of a work, helping users find items by topic.
A patron approaches and says, 'I need information about depression.' What is the BEST first step in the reference interview?
Answer: Ask clarifying questions to determine whether they mean economic depression or clinical depression
Asking clarifying questions is essential because 'depression' is ambiguous and could refer to a medical condition, an economic period, or other meanings.
Which of the following is NOT a function typically performed during a reference transaction?
Answer: Cataloging the materials used to answer the question
Cataloging materials is a technical services function, not part of the reference transaction process, which focuses on identifying needs and locating information.