MLS Knowledge Organization and Cataloging 3 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which ISBD area records information about the publisher, distributor, or manufacturer of an item?
- Area 1 – Title and Statement of Responsibility
- Area 3 – Material Specific Details
- Area 4 – Publication, Distribution, Manufacture (Correct answer)
- Area 6 – Series
Correct answer: Area 4 – Publication, Distribution, Manufacture
ISBD Area 4 captures the place of publication, publisher name, and date of publication or distribution.
Question 2: In a thesaurus constructed according to ISO 25964, what does the abbreviation 'UF' signify?
- Used For (non-preferred synonym pointing to preferred term) (Correct answer)
- Unified Form of the heading
- Upper Facet of a hierarchy
- Undefined Function placeholder
Correct answer: Used For (non-preferred synonym pointing to preferred term)
'UF' stands for 'Used For' and lists non-preferred terms (entry terms) that redirect users to the authorized preferred term.
Question 3: Which element in Dublin Core Metadata Initiative (DCMI) is most analogous to MARC's 650 subject field?
- dc:type
- dc:coverage
- dc:subject (Correct answer)
- dc:description
Correct answer: dc:subject
dc:subject is used to record the topic of the resource, corresponding to subject headings in MARC cataloging.
Question 4: What distinguishes a 'heading' from a 'cross-reference' in a catalog authority file?
- A heading is always numeric; a cross-reference is always alphabetic
- A heading is an authorized form used on bibliographic records; a cross-reference directs users to or from that heading (Correct answer)
- A heading is used only for persons; a cross-reference is used only for topics
- A heading appears in MARC 1XX fields; a cross-reference appears only in 856 fields
Correct answer: A heading is an authorized form used on bibliographic records; a cross-reference directs users to or from that heading
An authorized heading is the established form used in bibliographic records, while cross-references (USE, UF, BT, NT, RT) guide users to related or preferred terms.
Question 5: What is the function of the MARC 21 field 020?
- ISSN for serials
- ISBN for the item (Correct answer)
- LCCN assigned by the Library of Congress
- DOI of a digital object
Correct answer: ISBN for the item
MARC field 020 records the International Standard Book Number (ISBN) associated with the item being cataloged.
Question 6: In faceted classification theory, what is a 'focus'?
- The broadest class in a schedule
- A single elementary concept within a facet (Correct answer)
- The combined notation of two facets
- A geographic subdivision of a subject
Correct answer: A single elementary concept within a facet
A focus (also called an isolate) is a single, undivided concept that belongs to one facet of a faceted classification scheme.
Question 7: Which cataloging principle holds that a catalog record should reflect the item in hand rather than an idealized or standard form?
- Principle of sufficiency
- Principle of representation (Correct answer)
- Principle of uniformity
- Principle of economy
Correct answer: Principle of representation
The principle of representation (also called the 'take what you see' principle in RDA) requires that catalog data accurately reflect the item being described.
MLS Knowledge Organization and Cataloging 3
Which ISBD area records information about the publisher, distributor, or manufacturer of an item?