MLS - Master of Library and Information Science Cataloging and Metadata Questions and Answers

Question 1

A cataloger is creating a bibliographic record for a new edition of a classic novel. The previous cataloging standard, AACR2, often used Latin-based abbreviations like 's.l.' and 's.n.'. How does the Resource Description and Access (RDA) standard instruct the cataloger to handle the transcription of publication information when the place or publisher is unknown?

Accepted Answer

Transcribe the phrases '[Place of publication not identified]' and '[publisher not identified]'.

Answer

RDA directs catalogers to move away from the Latin abbreviations used in AACR2. Instead of '[S.l.]' (sine loco) and '[s.n.]' (sine nomine), RDA instructs to supply the full phrases '[Place of publication not identified]' and '[publisher not identified]' in the 264 field. This change enhances clarity and international understanding.

Question 2

Which of the following user tasks is NOT one of the four principal tasks identified by the Functional Requirements for Bibliographic Records (FRBR) model?

Accepted Answer

Summarize

Answer

The FRBR conceptual model defines four main user tasks to guide the design of catalogs and bibliographic systems: to Find entities, to Identify an entity, to Select an entity that meets the user's needs, and to Obtain access to the entity. 'Summarize' is not one of the core user tasks defined in this model.

Question 3

A digital library is looking to provide subject access for a large collection of web resources. They want a system derived from Library of Congress Subject Headings (LCSH) but with a simpler syntax that is easier for non-specialists to apply. A key feature is that subject strings are broken into separate components (e.g., topical, geographic, chronological). Which controlled vocabulary would be most suitable?

Accepted Answer

Faceted Application of Subject Terminology (FAST)

Answer

FAST (Faceted Application of Subject Terminology) is a controlled vocabulary derived from LCSH, designed by OCLC for easier application, especially for online resources. Its main characteristic is the deconstruction of complex LCSH strings into individual facets (topical, geographic, etc.), which simplifies subject assignment and supports faceted browsing.

Question 4

In a MARC 21 bibliographic record, which field is designated for the main title statement of a resource?

Accepted Answer

245

Answer

The MARC 21 field 245 is specifically used for the Title Statement, which includes the primary title and may also contain the remainder of the title, statement of responsibility, and other title information. The 100 field is for the main entry personal name, 650 is for a subject added entry (topical term), and 700 is for an added entry personal name.

Question 5

An art museum library is cataloging its collection of digital images of sculptures. They need a metadata schema specifically designed to describe works of visual culture and distinguish between the original work (the sculpture) and the image surrogate (the digital photograph). Which schema is the most appropriate choice?

Accepted Answer

VRA Core (Visual Resources Association Core)

Answer

VRA Core is a data standard specifically created for the description of works of visual culture and the images that document them. A key feature is its ability to create separate but related descriptions for the original work and the surrogate image, which is exactly the requirement described in the scenario.

MLS - Master of Library and Information Science Practice Test

MLS - Master of Library and Information Science Practice Test

MLS - Master of Library and Information Science Cataloging and Metadata Questions and Answers