LTA Cataloging and Classification 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is the function of a 'scope note' in a controlled vocabulary such as LCSH or a thesaurus?
- To define the range of meaning covered by a term (Correct answer)
- To list all narrower terms
- To record the date a term was added
- To provide a usage example sentence
Correct answer: To define the range of meaning covered by a term
A scope note clarifies the intended meaning and limits of a subject heading or descriptor to guide consistent application.
Question 2: In DDC, what does the instruction 'add as instructed under ...' typically indicate?
- Standard subdivisions should be applied from another location in the schedules (Correct answer)
- The number is unassigned
- The class is discontinued
- A new edition table has replaced the old one
Correct answer: Standard subdivisions should be applied from another location in the schedules
This instruction directs catalogers to build numbers by following a specific pattern or table from another part of the schedules.
Question 3: Which RDA element records the relationship between a work and an expression of that work?
- Work manifested
- Expression of work (Correct answer)
- Manifestation of expression
- Item exemplifying manifestation
Correct answer: Expression of work
In the FRBR/RDA model, 'expression of work' captures the specific realization (e.g., translation, revision) of an abstract work.
Question 4: A bibliographic record that describes an online journal article would most commonly include which MARC field to record the URL?
- 856 (Correct answer)
- 776
- 555
- 040
Correct answer: 856
MARC field 856 (Electronic Location and Access) is used to record the URL or other electronic address of a resource.
Question 5: When a Library of Congress Classification number is followed by a decimal point and additional digits, what does this extension represent?
- A geographic or topical subdivision for finer arrangement (Correct answer)
- The edition number of the item
- A Cutter number for the author
- An accession number assigned by the library
Correct answer: A geographic or topical subdivision for finer arrangement
Decimal extensions in LCC allow for more specific topical or geographic breakdown within a broad class letter-number combination.
Question 6: Which cataloging concept describes the practice of creating a single authority record to represent all variant forms of a name?
- Authority control (Correct answer)
- Bibliographic control
- Syndetic structure
- Collocation
Correct answer: Authority control
Authority control establishes one authorized form of a name and links variant forms to it, ensuring consistency across the catalog.
Question 7: In MARC 21, subfield $c in field 245 records which element?
- Statement of responsibility (Correct answer)
- Remainder of title
- Medium designator
- Parallel title
Correct answer: Statement of responsibility
Subfield $c in the 245 field contains the statement of responsibility as it appears on the title page or title frame.
LTA Cataloging and Classification 3
What is the function of a 'scope note' in a controlled vocabulary such as LCSH or a thesaurus?