MLS Cataloging and Metadata 4 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) uses which type of vocabulary structure?
- Flat list
- Pre-coordinated hierarchical controlled vocabulary (Correct answer)
- Post-coordinated faceted classification
- Folksonomic tagging system
Correct answer: Pre-coordinated hierarchical controlled vocabulary
LCSH is a pre-coordinated controlled vocabulary where complex subjects are expressed by combining heading strings at the point of cataloging.
Question 2: What is the primary purpose of the PREMIS metadata standard?
- Describing the technical characteristics of digital images
- Supporting long-term digital preservation by recording preservation events and rights (Correct answer)
- Providing administrative metadata for digital library management
- Encoding structural metadata for complex digital objects
Correct answer: Supporting long-term digital preservation by recording preservation events and rights
PREMIS (Preservation Metadata: Implementation Strategies) is designed to document preservation actions, rights, and provenance for long-term digital preservation.
Question 3: In the context of XML-based metadata, what does 'schema validation' ensure?
- That all metadata records contain the same number of elements
- That a metadata document conforms to the rules defined in a specified schema (Correct answer)
- That metadata is encoded in the correct character set
- That subject headings match authorized forms in a controlled vocabulary
Correct answer: That a metadata document conforms to the rules defined in a specified schema
Schema validation checks that an XML document's structure and data types comply with the rules defined in its associated XML Schema or DTD.
Question 4: Which classification system uses a faceted approach, combining independent characteristics to describe subjects?
- Dewey Decimal Classification
- Library of Congress Classification
- Colon Classification (Correct answer)
- Universal Decimal Classification
Correct answer: Colon Classification
Colon Classification, developed by S.R. Ranganathan, is the earliest and most prominent faceted classification system using five fundamental categories: Personality, Matter, Energy, Space, and Time.
Question 5: What is a 'uniform title' used for in bibliographic cataloging?
- To record the title as it appears on the title page of an item
- To collocate different manifestations of a work under a single consistent heading (Correct answer)
- To provide a translation of a foreign-language title
- To record the title used in promotional materials
Correct answer: To collocate different manifestations of a work under a single consistent heading
A uniform title (or preferred title in RDA) groups different editions, translations, and versions of a work under one consistent form for colocation in catalogs.
Question 6: In METS (Metadata Encoding and Transmission Standard), which section holds administrative metadata?
- <structMap>
- <amdSec> (Correct answer)
- <dmdSec>
- <fileSec>
Correct answer: <amdSec>
The <amdSec> (administrative metadata section) in METS holds rights, technical, provenance, and digital provenance metadata.
Question 7: Which principle states that catalog entries should be arranged to show the relationships among editions, translations, and versions of a work?
- Principle of specificity
- Principle of collocation (Correct answer)
- Principle of uniform heading
- Principle of user convenience
Correct answer: Principle of collocation
The principle of collocation, central to catalog theory since Cutter, ensures that related works are brought together in the catalog.
MLS Cataloging and Metadata 4
The Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) uses which type of vocabulary structure?