LTA Reference and Information Services 2 — Questions and Answers
Question 1: A patron asks for the most current statistics on US unemployment rates. Which resource would be MOST appropriate?
- World Almanac
- Bureau of Labor Statistics website (bls.gov) (Correct answer)
- Encyclopedia Britannica
- Statistical Abstract of the United States (older edition)
Correct answer: Bureau of Labor Statistics website (bls.gov)
The Bureau of Labor Statistics (bls.gov) provides the most current, authoritative US employment and unemployment data.
Question 2: Which type of reference interview technique involves restating the patron's question in your own words?
- Probing
- Paraphrasing (Correct answer)
- Clarifying
- Closing
Correct answer: Paraphrasing
Paraphrasing involves restating the patron's question in your own words to confirm understanding and show active listening.
Question 3: A 'ready reference' question is best described as:
- A complex research inquiry requiring extensive searching
- A quick factual question answerable in a short time (Correct answer)
- A request for a library tour
- A patron complaint about library services
Correct answer: A quick factual question answerable in a short time
Ready reference questions are simple, factual inquiries that can be answered quickly, such as asking for a phone number or a date.
Question 4: Which classification best describes the periodical index 'Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature'?
- A full-text database
- An index to popular magazine articles (Correct answer)
- A newspaper archive
- A bibliography of academic journals
Correct answer: An index to popular magazine articles
Readers' Guide to Periodical Literature is an index that helps users locate articles published in popular general-interest magazines.
Question 5: When a patron needs legal information, what is the most appropriate action for a library technical assistant?
- Provide legal advice based on library resources
- Refer the patron to a licensed attorney for legal advice
- Direct the patron to general legal reference resources and note you cannot provide legal advice (Correct answer)
- Refuse to assist with any legal questions
Correct answer: Direct the patron to general legal reference resources and note you cannot provide legal advice
Library staff should direct patrons to legal reference resources while clearly stating they cannot provide legal advice, a task reserved for licensed attorneys.
Question 6: An interlibrary loan (ILL) request is used when:
- A patron wants to renew a book already checked out
- The library does not own an item the patron needs (Correct answer)
- A patron wants to reserve a book held by the library
- A patron needs a library card from another branch
Correct answer: The library does not own an item the patron needs
Interlibrary loan allows patrons to borrow materials that their home library does not own by requesting them from another participating library.
Question 7: Which of the following is an example of a secondary source?
- A diary written by a Civil War soldier
- A biography written about Abraham Lincoln (Correct answer)
- A photograph taken at a historical event
- An original government treaty
Correct answer: A biography written about Abraham Lincoln
A secondary source interprets, analyzes, or summarizes primary sources; a biography about Lincoln is written after the fact by someone interpreting his life.
LTA Reference and Information Services 2
A patron asks for the most current statistics on US unemployment rates.
Which resource would be MOST appropriate?