MLS Knowledge Organization and Cataloging 5 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: Which principle from Cutter's Objects of a Catalog states that the catalog should enable a user to find works by a given author, title, or subject?
- The principle of latest entry
- The collocating function
- The finding function (Objects 1–3) (Correct answer)
- The principle of specific entry
Correct answer: The finding function (Objects 1–3)
Cutter's first three Objects define the finding function: locating items by known author, title, or subject when those details are known.
Question 2: A cataloger is describing a streaming video. Which RDA media type and carrier type are most appropriate?
- Unmediated / volume
- Computer / online resource (Correct answer)
- Projected / film reel
- Electronic / CD-ROM
Correct answer: Computer / online resource
Streaming videos use the RDA media type 'computer' and carrier type 'online resource' because they require computer intermediation and are delivered via a network.
Question 3: Which Linked Data vocabulary is most commonly used to express bibliographic relationships on the Semantic Web, as promoted by the Library of Congress?
- SKOS (Simple Knowledge Organization System)
- BIBFRAME (Bibliographic Framework) (Correct answer)
- OWL (Web Ontology Language)
- VRA Core (Visual Resources Association)
Correct answer: BIBFRAME (Bibliographic Framework)
BIBFRAME is the Library of Congress's Linked Data model designed to replace MARC as the bibliographic data standard for the Semantic Web.
Question 4: Under AACR2 cataloging practice, what was the 'main entry' and why did RDA move away from this concept?
- Main entry was the physical card; RDA uses digital records instead
- Main entry was the primary access point (usually the principal author); RDA treats all access points as equal and uses a 'creator' relationship instead (Correct answer)
- Main entry was the call number; RDA uses URIs
- Main entry was the title entry; RDA added personal name entries
Correct answer: Main entry was the primary access point (usually the principal author); RDA treats all access points as equal and uses a 'creator' relationship instead
AACR2 designated one heading as the 'main entry' for the primary catalog card, while RDA eliminates this hierarchy and treats all creators through relationship designators without privileging one.
Question 5: What is 'postcoordination' in the context of indexing and retrieval?
- Assigning multiple single-concept terms at indexing time that users combine at search time (Correct answer)
- Combining terms into complex headings before they are assigned to a record
- Coordinating headings between two different thesauri
- Pre-linking classification numbers to subject headings in the authority file
Correct answer: Assigning multiple single-concept terms at indexing time that users combine at search time
Postcoordination assigns simple, single-concept terms at indexing; users then combine (coordinate) these terms during a search query.
Question 6: Which standard defines the data elements and structure for authority records shared among cooperating cataloging agencies, such as in NACO?
- MARC 21 Format for Authority Data (Correct answer)
- Dublin Core Metadata Terms
- Encoded Archival Description (EAD)
- MODS (Metadata Object Description Schema)
Correct answer: MARC 21 Format for Authority Data
The MARC 21 Format for Authority Data defines the fields and codes used to create and share authority records in cooperative programs like NACO.
Question 7: In DDC, what is the function of the 'add as instructed' notes found in the schedules?
- They direct the classifier to shelve the item with a related class
- They allow the classifier to extend a base number using digits from another part of the schedules or tables (Correct answer)
- They indicate that the class is obsolete and should not be used
- They restrict the class to items published after a certain date
Correct answer: They allow the classifier to extend a base number using digits from another part of the schedules or tables
'Add as instructed' notes in DDC provide synthesis instructions that allow a base number to be extended by appending digits from another schedule or auxiliary table.
MLS Knowledge Organization and Cataloging 5
Which principle from Cutter's Objects of a Catalog states that the catalog should enable a user to find works by a given author, title, or subject?