LTA Reference and Information Services 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which tool would be MOST useful for finding a specific article when you already know the author's name and approximate publication date?
- A subject encyclopedia
- A periodical index or database (Correct answer)
- A library's general catalog (OPAC)
- A thesaurus
Correct 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.
Question 2: The term 'Boolean operators' in database searching refers to:
- Library classification numbers
- Words like AND, OR, NOT used to combine or exclude search terms (Correct answer)
- Subject headings assigned by catalogers
- Alphabetical sorting of search results
Correct 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.
Question 3: A patron is looking for information about a local historical event from 1952. Which resource would likely be MOST helpful?
- A current encyclopedia
- Historical local newspaper archives or microfilm (Correct answer)
- A general almanac
- A biographical dictionary
Correct answer: Historical local newspaper archives or microfilm
Local newspaper archives and microfilm collections contain detailed historical accounts of events in specific communities.
Question 4: What does the acronym 'OPAC' stand for in library terminology?
- Online Public Access Catalog (Correct answer)
- Organized Print and Audio Collection
- Open Publication and Classification
- Official Periodical Archive Center
Correct 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.
Question 5: Which of the following best describes a 'subject heading' in cataloging?
- The title of a book
- A standardized term assigned to a work to describe its topic (Correct answer)
- The author's name listed on the title page
- A unique identification number for the item
Correct 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.
Question 6: A patron approaches and says, 'I need information about depression.' What is the BEST first step in the reference interview?
- Hand them a stack of books on the topic immediately
- Ask clarifying questions to determine whether they mean economic depression or clinical depression (Correct answer)
- Tell them the library does not have mental health resources
- Refer them immediately to a medical professional
Correct 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.
Question 7: Which of the following is NOT a function typically performed during a reference transaction?
- Identifying the patron's information need
- Selecting appropriate resources to answer the question
- Cataloging the materials used to answer the question (Correct answer)
- Following up to confirm the patron's need was met
Correct 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.
LTA Reference and Information Services 3
Which tool would be MOST useful for finding a specific article when you already know the author's name and approximate publication date?