LTA Cataloging & Classification 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: In MARC 21, what does the fixed field 'BLvl' (Bibliographic Level) value 'm' indicate?
- Monograph (single-part item) (Correct answer)
- Map
- Manuscript
- Mixed material
Correct answer: Monograph (single-part item)
A BLvl value of 'm' in the MARC leader indicates a monograph, meaning the item is a single complete bibliographic unit.
Question 2: Which type of subject heading subdivision indicates a geographic limitation?
- Topical subdivision
- Geographic subdivision (Correct answer)
- Chronological subdivision
- Form subdivision
Correct answer: Geographic subdivision
Geographic subdivisions limit a subject heading to a specific place, such as 'Education--United States' or 'Birds--Amazon River Region.'
Question 3: What is 'batch cataloging' or 'batch loading'?
- Cataloging items in groups by subject
- Loading multiple bibliographic records into the ILS at once using automated processes (Correct answer)
- Training a group of catalogers simultaneously
- Processing donations received in large quantities
Correct answer: Loading multiple bibliographic records into the ILS at once using automated processes
Batch loading involves importing large sets of MARC records into the library's ILS automatically, often from vendor databases or retrospective conversion projects.
Question 4: Which MARC field is used for a topical subject heading (e.g., 'Library science')?
- 600
- 610
- 650 (Correct answer)
- 651
Correct answer: 650
MARC field 650 is used for topical subject headings, representing the subject matter of the item in general terms.
Question 5: In RDA, what is the preferred source of information for the title of a book?
- The spine of the book
- The title page (Correct answer)
- The copyright page
- The cover
Correct answer: The title page
RDA designates the title page as the preferred source for the title and other identifying information for printed text.
Question 6: What distinguishes a 'series' from a 'set' in library cataloging?
- A series has individually titled volumes; a set does not
- A set has individually titled volumes; a series consists of items related by a common series title (Correct answer)
- They are interchangeable terms in cataloging
- A series is electronic; a set is print
Correct answer: A set has individually titled volumes; a series consists of items related by a common series title
A series is a group of separate works related by a common series title, while a set is a multipart item meant to be used as a whole with numbered or unnumbered parts.
Question 7: What does 'FRBR' stand for, and why is it significant in modern cataloging?
- Federal Records and Bibliographic Retrieval; a US government standard
- Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records; a conceptual model for organizing catalog data (Correct answer)
- Format Rules for Bibliographic Resources; a MARC formatting guide
- File-based Record and Retrieval; a database architecture
Correct answer: Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records; a conceptual model for organizing catalog data
FRBR (Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records) is an IFLA conceptual model that defines relationships between works, expressions, manifestations, and items, forming the theoretical basis for RDA.
LTA Cataloging & Classification 5
In MARC 21, what does the fixed field 'BLvl' (Bibliographic Level) value 'm' indicate?