Library Science Digital Libraries and Technology 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: What is 'digitization' in the library context?
- Purchasing e-books for the collection
- Converting physical materials (books, photographs, manuscripts) to digital format (Correct answer)
- Implementing a new ILS system
- Moving library staff to remote work
Correct answer: Converting physical materials (books, photographs, manuscripts) to digital format
Digitization is the process of converting analog physical materials — such as photographs, manuscripts, microfilm, or books — into digital formats for preservation and access.
Question 2: What does the 'Z39.50' protocol enable in library systems?
- Barcode scanning for circulation
- Searching and retrieving records from remote library databases using a standardized protocol (Correct answer)
- Transmitting interlibrary loan requests
- Providing remote desktop access to ILS terminals
Correct answer: Searching and retrieving records from remote library databases using a standardized protocol
Z39.50 is a client-server protocol that allows one library system to search and retrieve bibliographic records from another system, widely used for copy cataloging from OCLC.
Question 3: What is a 'discovery layer' in library technology?
- Software that detects network intruders in library systems
- A unified search interface that searches across the library's catalog, databases, and digital collections simultaneously (Correct answer)
- A layer of MARC metadata added to catalog records
- Software for discovering new library resources to purchase
Correct answer: A unified search interface that searches across the library's catalog, databases, and digital collections simultaneously
A discovery layer is a search interface that aggregates and searches across multiple library resources — the catalog, licensed databases, and digital collections — through a single search box.
Question 4: What is 'DSpace' in the library technology context?
- A digital space for virtual library programs
- An open-source software platform widely used for building institutional repositories (Correct answer)
- A cloud storage system for library staff
- A digital preservation format for images
Correct answer: An open-source software platform widely used for building institutional repositories
DSpace is an open-source repository platform developed by MIT and HP that is widely used by academic libraries to build institutional repositories for research output.
Question 5: What is 'metadata' in the context of digital library resources?
- The main content of a digital file
- Structured data that describes, identifies, and provides context about a digital resource (Correct answer)
- Encryption data protecting digital files
- Statistical data about digital library usage
Correct answer: Structured data that describes, identifies, and provides context about a digital resource
Metadata is structured data that describes the properties of a digital resource — such as title, creator, date, format, and subject — enabling discovery, management, and preservation.
Question 6: What is 'federated searching' in library systems?
- Searching only federal government databases
- Simultaneously searching multiple separate databases through a single interface (Correct answer)
- A search across all US library OPACs
- Networking multiple library branches into a single system
Correct answer: Simultaneously searching multiple separate databases through a single interface
Federated searching allows a single query to be simultaneously sent to multiple separate databases and combines results in a unified display — a precursor to modern discovery layers.
Library Science Digital Libraries and Technology 2
What is 'digitization' in the library context?